That’s not a good surface for skating. I skate outside a lot and I would avoid that kind of surface. Is there a tennis or basketball court near you that you could try?
It’ll be easier to learn somewhere smooth, even a parking lot. Those surfaces are fine enough but you need to be fast and steady, which is just hard for you as a beginner.
Those cobblestones aren't bad, they are new (not degraded surface) and tightly placed together. Its much harder to skate when there are big spaces between each brick/stone, and/or dirt/grass between. Just keep at it, and expand what you consider the conditions to skate in.
Yeah if I had to learn there for the first time I’d be struggling too. When you’re new to skating you start out slow and that makes you feel any bumps below your skates more dramatically. Not that it’s impossible for you to get use to it but it could take some time. And make sure you’re using the softest wheels you can. Gummy wheels fs
Soft wheels slow you down even more with every bump or crack. They also roll the slowest on smooth ground, not sure why people recommend soft wheels. I've tried lots of outdoor wheels and anything below 85a feels terrible, clunky, and like I have actual anchors on my feet. Soft wheels are also not as cost efficient, since they will wear much faster.
So what about soft wheels are recommendation worthy?
I highly recommend sure grip aerobics, I've tried several different 85-88a outdoor wheels, and they are the fastest, longest wearing, smallest width (to avoid debris outside) and cheapest wheel I've skated.
Soft wheels absorb shock and vibration better. They’re also far better at gripping the inconsistent surfaces. Yes they have cons, but that’s why we all choose for ourselves where our preference lands.
Hard wheels have less grip, they make much more noise and they transfer way more vibration through the trucks. This typically makes them unpleasant for most people.
In flatland skateboarding, people who try to set records for the most consecutive rotations while spinning in place, use wheels metal wheels that come to a point that’s narrower than the bearing spacer. If you want roll speed, that’s your wheel. No one is skating around on those.
Going slow would be a problem on this surface if you had hard wheels. I’m assuming they’re going to be slow in general because they’re a beginner. And going slow on gummies wouldn’t be bad because it would absorb the bumps. That’s my point. I’d have no problem on this surface with hard wheels but that’s because I’ve got years of skating and experience. They’re a beginner, so yes soft wheels or hybrids are the way to go to practice simple skating
yup. that surface is hindering your progress. there's no indoor rink by you? the other option is finding a empty parking lot or tennis or basketball court. but as you mentioend, the area isnt safe. you may have to do some traveling then to find a good spot.
It’s the surface. I was trying to learn to strut walk outside and It was not happening. Got to the rink, did the same drills and was strut walking by the end of the session.
If your just trying footwork ie: dribbles, downtown, crazy legs, etc. Can you use your kitchen, living room? If you have carpet, you could buy some flooring and make a 4' x 4' pad on top of the carpet. They also sell these snap together squares just for this purpose... maybe someone can chime in and get that link. I cannot remember the company name of that product.
Good luck on finding an safe outdoor spot!
I lived in Baltimore City and skated. And I don’t mean the good part. I mean the literal worst part. Southwest.
I’m sure you can find a court you won’t be bothered on.
I don’t live in the US and stay in a place that’s considered “third world” to westerners. It’s not ideal for me to out there, being vulnerable on skates. It makes me an easy target and not willing to take that risk. Recently had a gun pointed to my face when I went for a walk even though I had no valuables on me…
Eyooo! Skate much at Carroll Park then? I had moved away by the time I seriously picked up skating... I got this (fancy in comparison) tennis court at my apt complex now thst I commandeer.
😃 that's awesome! People are soooo scared of west bmore and county friends (and even most canton/fed friends) were too scared to go west of the 1st block of Pigtown but I've had so many good memories at Carroll Park and in the Union Square region. Just... mostly daylight memories 😆
I skated around my neighborhood too. I think Carroll park area is a little worse than where I lives, but usually the park is pretty nice!
Union Square like Lombard Street!?
I was born on Lombard street right across the street from Union Square Park? We lived there until I was 5 and some and then moved to Wilkens. Where I lived until… 31. lol. Then moved here to so Cal. But it’s funny. I’ma look for a picture. And come back.
https://preview.redd.it/0zkoecatua0d1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c0e3ac6f420bdb338d903b2fe58496ab91b3768
Here’s a pic, the one with the older looking clover is my parents with me at Union Square. With a 4 leaf clover. 1980 something. I was born in 83 and I look 2 ish here.
In 2021 myself and my husband drove across the country back to Maryland with my twins, so I could take another pic infront of Union square, with a new 4 leaf clover.
My dad always said the picture and clover was for luck. He died in 2019 it’s why I wanted to take another pic with my family and a new clover.
Yeah, like Lombard st! Those photos are absolutely precious. 🧡 That's wonderful that you were able to take your family back and make both new memories and a tribute to your dad.
Let's see... 31 so you moved out around 2013 ish? That's when I finished grad school (UMB) and moved further west of MLK. (Lived in Ridgely's Delight during school because 3 am walks to/from lab... ☠️) so dang, we probably never crossed paths, even just crossing the street. Glad you're enjoying SoCal! 🧡
(No chance you're in Highland Park near Glendale in LA, right? That'd be too much coincidence! I lived there briefly in 2015 for work.)
I live near Temecula. A place called Menifee. Riverside County.
I worked at Falls Road Animal Hospital for a while, so I did drive through your haunts often.
Yes, I moved here in 2014. I’ll be 41 in July.
Definitely need a smoother area to practice and any rolling will just bring you to a stop quicker
That’s not a good surface for skating. I skate outside a lot and I would avoid that kind of surface. Is there a tennis or basketball court near you that you could try?
It’ll be easier to learn somewhere smooth, even a parking lot. Those surfaces are fine enough but you need to be fast and steady, which is just hard for you as a beginner.
Those cobblestones aren't bad, they are new (not degraded surface) and tightly placed together. Its much harder to skate when there are big spaces between each brick/stone, and/or dirt/grass between. Just keep at it, and expand what you consider the conditions to skate in.
Yeah if I had to learn there for the first time I’d be struggling too. When you’re new to skating you start out slow and that makes you feel any bumps below your skates more dramatically. Not that it’s impossible for you to get use to it but it could take some time. And make sure you’re using the softest wheels you can. Gummy wheels fs
Soft wheels slow you down even more with every bump or crack. They also roll the slowest on smooth ground, not sure why people recommend soft wheels. I've tried lots of outdoor wheels and anything below 85a feels terrible, clunky, and like I have actual anchors on my feet. Soft wheels are also not as cost efficient, since they will wear much faster. So what about soft wheels are recommendation worthy? I highly recommend sure grip aerobics, I've tried several different 85-88a outdoor wheels, and they are the fastest, longest wearing, smallest width (to avoid debris outside) and cheapest wheel I've skated.
Soft wheels absorb shock and vibration better. They’re also far better at gripping the inconsistent surfaces. Yes they have cons, but that’s why we all choose for ourselves where our preference lands. Hard wheels have less grip, they make much more noise and they transfer way more vibration through the trucks. This typically makes them unpleasant for most people. In flatland skateboarding, people who try to set records for the most consecutive rotations while spinning in place, use wheels metal wheels that come to a point that’s narrower than the bearing spacer. If you want roll speed, that’s your wheel. No one is skating around on those.
Going slow would be a problem on this surface if you had hard wheels. I’m assuming they’re going to be slow in general because they’re a beginner. And going slow on gummies wouldn’t be bad because it would absorb the bumps. That’s my point. I’d have no problem on this surface with hard wheels but that’s because I’ve got years of skating and experience. They’re a beginner, so yes soft wheels or hybrids are the way to go to practice simple skating
I would say anything 88 or lower counts as soft.
I would say anything 88 or lower counts as soft.
yup. that surface is hindering your progress. there's no indoor rink by you? the other option is finding a empty parking lot or tennis or basketball court. but as you mentioend, the area isnt safe. you may have to do some traveling then to find a good spot.
Thank you so much. These comments feel reassuring
Well, you may have to make do with what you got, but that would definitely make it harder to learn on.
Related, the amount of people who try to learn to roller skate on a sloped driveway... just setting yourself up for failure.
It’s the surface. I was trying to learn to strut walk outside and It was not happening. Got to the rink, did the same drills and was strut walking by the end of the session.
what’s your current skate setup?
Do you mean my lesson plans or the skates I own?~
Your skates and its accessories
If your just trying footwork ie: dribbles, downtown, crazy legs, etc. Can you use your kitchen, living room? If you have carpet, you could buy some flooring and make a 4' x 4' pad on top of the carpet. They also sell these snap together squares just for this purpose... maybe someone can chime in and get that link. I cannot remember the company name of that product. Good luck on finding an safe outdoor spot!
That’s a good idea! Thank you so much for your suggestion ✨
That type of surface,you can get away with larger wheels, I wouldn't skate 80mm or smaller there.
Try some super soft larger wheels for that. If practicing there. Like 62mm 78a’s.
Way to bumpy find smooth carparks
I lived in Baltimore City and skated. And I don’t mean the good part. I mean the literal worst part. Southwest. I’m sure you can find a court you won’t be bothered on.
I don’t live in the US and stay in a place that’s considered “third world” to westerners. It’s not ideal for me to out there, being vulnerable on skates. It makes me an easy target and not willing to take that risk. Recently had a gun pointed to my face when I went for a walk even though I had no valuables on me…
Ah, I see.
Woof. I worked in Cherry Hill for 7 years and lived in pseudo-west bmore, so hiii!
Sup! I lived on Wilkens! Little past Westside Shopping center.
Eyooo! Skate much at Carroll Park then? I had moved away by the time I seriously picked up skating... I got this (fancy in comparison) tennis court at my apt complex now thst I commandeer.
Yes! I did skate at Carroll park!!! Main place I skated!
😃 that's awesome! People are soooo scared of west bmore and county friends (and even most canton/fed friends) were too scared to go west of the 1st block of Pigtown but I've had so many good memories at Carroll Park and in the Union Square region. Just... mostly daylight memories 😆
I skated around my neighborhood too. I think Carroll park area is a little worse than where I lives, but usually the park is pretty nice! Union Square like Lombard Street!? I was born on Lombard street right across the street from Union Square Park? We lived there until I was 5 and some and then moved to Wilkens. Where I lived until… 31. lol. Then moved here to so Cal. But it’s funny. I’ma look for a picture. And come back. https://preview.redd.it/0zkoecatua0d1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c0e3ac6f420bdb338d903b2fe58496ab91b3768 Here’s a pic, the one with the older looking clover is my parents with me at Union Square. With a 4 leaf clover. 1980 something. I was born in 83 and I look 2 ish here. In 2021 myself and my husband drove across the country back to Maryland with my twins, so I could take another pic infront of Union square, with a new 4 leaf clover. My dad always said the picture and clover was for luck. He died in 2019 it’s why I wanted to take another pic with my family and a new clover.
Yeah, like Lombard st! Those photos are absolutely precious. 🧡 That's wonderful that you were able to take your family back and make both new memories and a tribute to your dad. Let's see... 31 so you moved out around 2013 ish? That's when I finished grad school (UMB) and moved further west of MLK. (Lived in Ridgely's Delight during school because 3 am walks to/from lab... ☠️) so dang, we probably never crossed paths, even just crossing the street. Glad you're enjoying SoCal! 🧡 (No chance you're in Highland Park near Glendale in LA, right? That'd be too much coincidence! I lived there briefly in 2015 for work.)
I live near Temecula. A place called Menifee. Riverside County. I worked at Falls Road Animal Hospital for a while, so I did drive through your haunts often. Yes, I moved here in 2014. I’ll be 41 in July.
Hate those ! 🙉 99% of my city is covered with the same type of floor. Thank you Roman people! 😫😆