If you’ve been to several roller rinks, you probably noticed that many have a bunch of stripes, circles, and lanes painted on the floor. They serve a particular function, and it’s just one way skaters can tell which rinks are serious about roller skating. Yet few sessions skaters understand why they exist. New rink operators should always include these markings on the skate floor, in order to build skating skills among their regulars that will keep them coming back. In no particular order, here is a list on what to include on your rink floor. Figure Circles If you look around the surface of th ..read more

Every snack bar will get a visit from the Health Inspector. Instead of dreading it, be ready for it. They can show up at any time — even on a busy Saturday night. While visiting a rink down South during a midday skating session, I was chatting with the owner when an official looking person wandered into the rink with a tablet in hand. She was from the Board of Health and was there for a spot inspection of the kitchen and snack bar area. I was excited to sit in on the process, and fully understand what they’re looking for, what sparks an infraction, and how we can do better. This County Inspect ..read more

Resolve to Roller Skate in 2024 It won’t be long before we will be in the thick of the holidays, culminating with New Year’s Resolutions on the minds of many, so let’s remind those resolving to knock off holiday pounds, that roller skating is the perfect activity. There’s a reason we see so many ads for weight loss and fitness centers in late December. There’s nothing like a New Year to start a fitness journey, and the old adage is true: choose an activity you love, and it will be very easy to stick with. For some people, that’s bicycling, or rowing, or running. But for a lot of us, roller ska ..read more

Holiday parades are a great way to showcase your rollerskating rink to the local community, and it’s a great value, when you consider the entry fee and the targeted audience. Seasonal events like these are family-friendly, and chances are good, you’ll meet people who need a reminder on why skating is so much fun, and a healthy activity. Plus, there are awards bestowed for Best Entry! National vs. Local Coverage National Parades Every year, right after the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade which airs on live television to an audience of millions, I start to hear kvetching about how the bowling ind ..read more

“Where are you located?” is a common question that skate tourists have when it comes to visiting new rinks. With the advent of smartphones, and mapping software, it seems anyone can find their way, anywhere. And that includes roller skating rinks. Many years ago, before digital mapping, roller skating rinks were commonly situated on a main thoroughfare, and daily drivers were aware of their existence. Then when real estate started filling in with buildings, and land became more expensive, new rinks were built behind other businesses, like a supermarket, or a McDonalds. In some cases, the rink ..read more

October is National Roller Skating Month That means rinks across the country will once again be offering a Learn to Skate class sometime during the month of October. I recommend that rinks also include a “skate maintenance” seminar that demonstrates how to carefully maintain their equipment for years to come. These classes will reward repeat customers who have been clamoring for this information. Many times, I see people with their own gear at the rink, and their skates are in obvious need of a tune-up. Yet, when I mention it, the common response I get is, “I had no idea I was supposed to clea ..read more

Skating in a roller rink should be fun and exciting, and not annoying. While the lighting system is an important facet of the rink atmosphere, if not done correctly, it can chase off customers. That’s why it’s imperative to find a skilled lighting designer to oversee this project. There are many options in rink lighting these days, and at a much lower price than it cost decades ago. With LED bulbs throwing off less heat, the power bill is also less expensive. That means a plethora of lighting systems to choose from. But before you do, take note. Buying and installing the wrong system can be co ..read more

Have you ever skated across square tiles? Whether they are ceramic, which are common in a lot of older rink’s restrooms, or those plastic snap-together tiles used in rink flooring, the experience is the same. You can feel the seams, or grout, when you’re on a pair of quad skates. It sounds like “ker-thunk, ker-thunk, ker-thunk” and the vibrations can feel off-putting. That’s because the front axles, and then the back axles, hit the seams at the same time. The tiles weren’t laid for roller skaters. They were laid in a standard pattern used by interior designers and tile setters. Skaters need to ..read more

While I am not an architect, I do advise those planning a roller rink on what needs to be considered for a new build, or build out of leased space. Roller skating centers have unique issues to deal with – especially when the customers are all on skates. And some of them are new to the activity and can easily lose their balance. Therefore, if you’re starting with a blank slate to start up a new rink, consider these tips to maximize the floor space, reduce issues when the rink is full, and keep it manageable and clean. The Skate Floor 1.  Where-ever possible, put the floor tucked into a cor ..read more

A case for Skating in the REVERSE Direction When was the last time you skated in the Reverse Direction in a roller skating rink? I’m hopeful your local rink does this at least once an hour, if not once per session. But lately, I haven’t seen it that often. Maybe I don’t stay long enough (like all day) to skate in the opposite direction. However, RSIs, or repetitive stress injuries are real, and skating only in one direction may lead to that. Especially as we age. All Skate vs. Reverse Skate First off, let’s explain. The “regular” skating direction in a roller rink is counter-clockwise. The “re ..read more