Freeskating
Understanding Freestyle Inline Skating and Its Audience
Freeskating, often referred to as freestyle inline skating or urban skating, occupies a space between fitness skating and aggressive skating. This style is predominantly practiced in metropolitan and urban locales. The skates are characterised by rugged boots to endure impacts, coupled with high cuffs for enhanced ankle support. Freeskating is popular among both seasoned skaters and newcomers to the activity.
Styles of Freeskating: Urban and Slalom
This category of skates ranks among the most adaptable inline skates on the market. They provide the same agility and speed seen in recreational skates while being suitable for urban or slalom skating.
Urban skating
In urban skating, enthusiasts use freeskates to either travel seamlessly across urban areas or execute tricks typical of aggressive skating. With urban terrain in mind, skaters frequently opt for wheel sizes ranging from 90mm to 110mm, as they afford better control on uneven urban surfaces.
Slalom skating
Taking place on smooth surfaces, slalom skating is a highly skilled endeavour involving intricate manoeuvres and tricks through cones set at equal distances. Experienced slalom skaters often integrate dance-like movements whilst navigating the cones during practice or contests. For executing these intricate moves, skaters generally use wheels measuring 76mm, 80mm, or 84mm to optimise manoeuvrability.
Is Freeskating Suitable for You?
Determining if you should take up freestyle skating and explore city skating largely relies on your locale. Despite the broad adaptability of the skates, this skating style best suits those residing in urbanised areas with extensive, flat streets. Outskirts or expansive car parks also make fantastic venues for freestyle skating.
For those who identify as fitness skaters, favouring extensive rides across rural landscapes, freeskates can still offer a notable experience, particularly if you seek durable models with significant power transfer and efficient acceleration.
Interested in learning more about inline skates? Check out our skates purchasing guide: Which Type of Skates Should I Choose?