hey all! i just wanted to start off by saying im extremely new to skating. i tried as a kid but my mom sold my skates because i wasn't learning fast enough, so as an adult im trying to do things ive always wanted to do.

i know there are detachable skates called slades but they're very expensive and i was wondering if there was a better alternative? i dont have a lot of money but i need something to get me to work as my bike was stolen.

another question, is it possible to modify my own shoes to work with these things? i have very special shoes that help my feet not hurt as much since i have a minor disability.

I want to get into skating and I want to wear all of the gear. You know, helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. The main thing I'm looking for is the ease of use. I want to be able to take them off and on really quickly. Also it would be a plus if they were relatively portable. Any suggestions?

can't believe I forgot how much I loved this.

I am very grateful for all the passing smiles I have been getting out there lately. 💛🙏

What are your tips for getting past mental blocks/ moments when you lose your interest 🤔

I used to love rink skating as a kid but never had my own skates. My kid recently expressed interest and so we started going again almost weekly (shout out to Oaks Park in Portland). Finally bit the bullet and got my own skates and I hadn't realized how much easier skating becomes when you have good equipment.

May crosspost this to the roller derby community as well!

I have been sat looking at the hardware at the WFTDA champs in Malmo today and finally accepted that my plates are way too big.

I skate on a gen 1 Quadstar boot in Bont size 2.5 (217mm foot length) and I have size 3 Arius Platinums mounted to them. They have an overhang at the back of about 3mm and make my toestop work really tiptoey and uncomfortable.

Previously I had Mota plates in a 5" length, but I cannot find any derby brands that go down that small apart from Bont - I have heard not so good things about the trucks and general manufacture of their plates. Are there any Roll Line plates that will go that small that don't way a tonne? I really like the Arius, they are just the wrong size for my feet. Any help would be appreciated 🙏

If someone can please comment a photo of their size 4 Boardwalk insoles with a ruler over them, I will give you a smooch on the mouth. Size 5 is permitted but not as heavily desired, so that will only be a hug. Thanks.

Calling all aggressive quad skaters: do you prefer 2.5 inch trucks or 3 inches?

I’ve gotten really comfortable with the 2.5s with coping/transition. I really want to start ledges but when I put my Skate up to the ledge, I just don’t understand how to lock in at all, it seems impossible and so small.
For the people that are into ledges, do you feel that the 3s make it much easier or not a huge difference? Basically, am I being a wuss and trying to make excuses or should I upgrade to the 3 inches before attempting ledges?

Thx in advance <3

So I’ve been practicing in my kitchen for months now cause I’m too afraid to go outside. I bought the gear and then I finally went outside today. I just went on my driveway. I didn’t go far and every time I try to do what I was doing in my kitchen. I was having issues and somehow I kept rolling back even though my balance was centered, obviously I fell, but that’s normal with skating, but I don’t know what I’m doing wrong and I tried to do bubbles today, but somehow my skates weren’t letting me turn when my trucks are very loose
I just feel like I learned better if I went to a lesson or something with a big group, but I live in a small town and nobody really skates around here
I really wanna get into skating in all of that but it’s so hard cause I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m really lost even though I’ve been watching YouTube tutorials. I follow a lot of skaters on TikTok. I don’t know what I’m doing still.
I wish there was a coach or a lesson plan that I can follow through somebody because I have a lot of questions
I can always see those TikTok groups that follow each other or they’re learning together and I wish I was a part of that because I feel like I’ve learned better than by myself with a bunch of videos so I took off my skates. I’m just staying calm and I’ll reflect on it tomorrow, but I don’t know what I’m doing and I wish I did.