Rainbow Skateland

Skating & Entertainment Center

1109 Lincoln Avenue, Lockport, NY, 14094   |   tel:716-507-4381

3 Fun Facts About Roller Skating You Might Not Know

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Are you curious about roller skating? Have you ever wondered what makes roller skating so much fun? Well, if you’re looking for some exciting and fun facts about roller skating, then you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll discuss three fun roller skating facts that you might not know. From the history of roller skating to the different types of roller skates, these fun facts are sure to give you a better understanding of why roller skating is so much fun. So keep reading to learn more about the sport of roller skating and its fascinatingly fun facts!

1. Roller Skating Was Once Considered A Dangerous Sport

Did you know that roller skating used to be a risky activity? Back in the 19th century, a group of French entrepreneurs tried to popularize the sport but were met with much resistance. People believed it was too dangerous and that injuries could occur. Despite these fears, roller skating continued to gain popularity, and it wasn’t long before dedicated roller skating rinks opened up all over the world. By the 20th century, roller skating had become an accepted activity and is now a beloved pastime around the globe.

2. The First Roller Skate Was Invented In 1760

Did you know that roller skating as we know it today can trace its origins back to a design patented in France in 1760? The early design featured a wooden platform attached to two inline wheels, but it wasn’t until 1863 that the first rubber-wheeled roller skate was invented. This changed the landscape of the sport and made roller skating even more popular. The patent was granted to a man named James Plimpton and these skates were made with four wheels in a rectangular formation. The two middle wheels were adjustable for better balance and control. By the early 20th century, roller skating had become a popular pastime worldwide, and it has been enjoyed by people of all ages ever since.

3. Roller Skating Is A Great Workout

Did you know that roller skating is a great way to get your daily dose of exercise? According to research, roller skating burns between 600 and 800 calories per hour. That’s even more than running! Not only does it burn calories, but it also works on strengthening the muscles in your legs and core.

 

Roller skating is a low-impact exercise, meaning that there is less stress put on your joints than running or other high-impact activities. This makes it a great option for people of all ages, including those with joint issues or older adults who may want to stay active. Additionally, roller skating has been found to improve balance, coordination, and agility – skills that can be beneficial in everyday life.

So next time you’re looking for a fun way to stay fit, why not give roller skating a try? It’s a great workout that can help you burn calories and build strength all while having a blast. We’d love to have you out on the rink with us at Rainbow Skateland. Check out our special events page for all the exciting events we have coming up this spring!

Roller Skate Breakdown

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Ready to become an expert in roller skate maintenance and keep your skates in the best shape possible? You’ve come to the right place! We will be breaking down roller skates so that you can understand them inside and out in this blog post. We’ll cover all the major components, from boots to stops, wheels to bearings so that you can ensure your roller skates stay in tip-top shape. 

Roller Skate Boots

The boots of roller skates play an important role in the overall build. They are typically made of leather, vinyl, or a combination of both. Boots can provide comfort and support as you move. They should be kept clean and dry to prevent cracking, and you should check the seams periodically for any loose stitching. You can use leather conditioner and water-repellant spray to help keep them in good condition.

Roller Skate Stops

Roller skate stops are the mechanisms located at the toe and heel of the boot that helps you slow down or completely stop. They are usually made of rubber or plastic and should be kept in good condition. Make sure to inspect them regularly for any wear and tear. Check for any cracks, tears, or missing pieces, and replace them if necessary. Additionally, use a lubricant such as skate wax to ensure they have the best grip and longevity.

Roller Skate Wheels

Roller skate wheels come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. There are hard, soft, polyurethane, and even ceramic wheels available. Depending on your skating style and skill level, you can build the perfect roller skate with the right combination of wheel size, hardness, and material. To keep your wheels in the best shape possible, make sure to clean them routinely and check for wear and tear. If you notice any wheel tread or bearings issues, replace the affected parts as soon as possible. You should also rotate your wheels periodically to ensure even wear on all four wheels.

Roller Skate Bearings

The bearings of a roller skate are essential for creating a smooth, fast ride. Roller skate bearings are comprised of tiny steel balls that are housed inside an outer metal ring and an inner metal ring. This combination helps the wheels to spin freely on the axle of the skate, allowing you to build up speed quickly and easily. To keep roller skate bearings in the best possible shape, it is important to make sure that they are regularly cleaned and maintained. This includes removing debris or dust that may have built up within the bearing and replacing the bearings if they become too worn or damaged. Additionally, it is important to lubricate the bearings on a regular basis. This will help keep them running smoothly and efficiently, which is key to getting the most out of your roller skates.

We hope this teaches you the ins and outs of roller skates and how to maintain them! If you’re looking for some amazing skates and accessories to create some custom skates, check out our pro shop. We’d love to see your new skates on the Rainbow Skateland rink!

Why Is Roller Skating Difficult? It Doesn’t Have To Be!

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Roller skating can be difficult for newbies, but it doesn’t have to be! With the proper knowledge, gear, and attitude, anyone can learn to roller skate and have fun doing it. The key to starting skating is to take it slow and practice until you get comfortable with the basics. With the right preparations and some patience, anyone can learn to roller skate and have a great time doing it!

Roller Skating Learning Curve For Beginners

For beginners to skate, there can be a learning curve. You will need to adjust to being on wheels and find the right techniques to help you stay balanced and move in the direction you want to go. You will have to discover the best way for you to stay safe and enjoy your time on skates. With practice, patience, and safety gear, you can overcome the learning curve and master the basics of skating.

Being Prepared And Wearing Safety Gear

When beginning roller skating, it is important to make sure you wear the right safety gear. This should include a quality pair of roller skates, protective gear (such as elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, and a helmet), and maybe even some extra padding for your hips and tailbone for protection. 

Quads Vs. Rollerblades For Roller Skating Beginners

What works best? Ultimately, it’s up to you. Quads are the classic option, with four wheels that provide stability and maneuverability. Alternatively, rollerblades feature four or five wheels in a single row and often provide increased speed and agility.

 

If you’re a beginner, chances are that quads will be more comfortable and easier to learn. They offer more balance and stability than blades, as you can distribute weight over four wheels. If speed is what you’re after, blades may be a better choice. When deciding between quads or blades, the most important thing to consider is your comfort level. Try them both out and go with what feels right for you!

Learning to roller skate can be intimidating for beginners, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you are learning how to skate on quads or blades, it is important to stay calm and remember to have fun. Take your time as you learn the basics of skating, you don’t need to rush yourself. The more relaxed and confident you are, the more fun you will have. We can’t wait to have you skating the day away at Rainbow Skateland!

Celebrating Black Roller Skating Culture

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February is Black History Month, so at Rainbow Skateland we wanted to take time to celebrate Black roller skating culture and roller skating history.

The Beginning Of Roller Skating As We Know It

You may be surprised to find out that the first pair of roller skates came out in the 1760s and were inline skates. It wasn’t until 1819 that quad skates came to be!

 

  • The 1950s: Skating rinks offered one night per week for Black individuals to roller skate.
  • The 1960s: Black roller skating rinks were popular during the Civil Rights Movement as a pastime. It became a place for Black individuals to skate freely away from discrimination and express themselves.
  • 1963: One of the most popular integrations of the Civil Rights Movement and roller skating can be attributed to Ledger Smith. He skated 685 miles to attend Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
  • The 1970s: Roller dancing can be traced back to Bill Butler, a black skater.

Black Roller Skating Culture Today

Now, we see tons of popular Black roller skaters on TikTok like The Griffin Brothers, @griffinbrothersskating and so many more! Another fun account where you can even see some of your favorite celebrities like Usher and Jermaine Dupri skating is @lifeoftheskateparty.

 

Being able to recognize the rich Black culture and history is so important, not only during Black History Month. Roller skating has given the opportunity for many to express themselves even through the most challenging of times.

 

At Rainbow Skateland, we celebrate all of roller skating’s history including the tremendous impact the Black community has had within it!

 

Essential Skate Gear For Beginners

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So you’ve decided to take on roller skating as your new hobby, now what? Learning a new hobby can seem a bit overwhelming. You have to think about what you need to have to have fun and be safe. We’re here to help you with all the things you need to properly get started on the rink safely! 

Here’s our beginner’s skate gear checklist:

 

  1. Roller Skates

 

Obviously you need a pair of skates that are reliable to start roller skating! You can buy your own pair or rent them from us at Rainbow Skateland.

      2. Wrist Guards

 

Wrist guards may be one of the least common safety gear items we mention here, but they are definitely helpful in protecting your wrist in case of a fall. New skaters tend to fall forward instead of falling to their backside, so it’s important to keep the front of your body protected.

 

      3. Knee Pads

 

Keep your knees protected as you learn to skate and properly fall. 

 

      4. Elbow Pads

 

Like wrist guards and knee pads, elbow pads help protect your elbows in case of falls. 

 

      5. Helmet

 

When learning a new hobby on wheels, helmets are absolutely needed. You may feel silly wearing it, especially if you’re the only one with a helmet on at the rink, but trust us your head and brain will thank you for it as you learn to skate!

 

       6. Long, Cushioned Socks

 

Long and cushioned socks can help protect your feet as you get used to the roller skate’s boots, especially if you’re breaking in a new pair!

 

       7. Patience

 

Learning any new hobby takes patience, patience, and more patience! Skating may come to you naturally, but it may take a little more time.

That covers all the essentials to get started roller skating. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and have all the gear you need to get started. It may be difficult in the beginning, but just keep on practicing. It will be worth it! You’ll be skating like a pro in no time with enough practice. We can’t wait to see you out on the rink with us at Rainbow Skateland!

Skating Can Keep Your Body In Tip-Top Shape

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Ready to get your body in tip-top shape? We highly suggest starting to incorporate roller skating in your workout routine! Skating is a great full body workout, and also does a lot for your mind!

Here are our 4 main reasons why roller skating is the perfect exercise to keep your body (and mind) in tip-top shape:

 

  1. The gym is way less fun than the roller skating rink!

 

How many people do you see with a smile on their face at the gym? We’d be willing to bet probably not many if any! However, pop into a roller skating rink and you’re guaranteed to see a smile on everyone’s faces.

 

      2. You can stay healthy while having fun!

 

Who knew you could possibly stay healthy and have fun? With roller skating, you can! Movement is also so good for your mind so it can help keep your mind healthy too.

 

      3. Skating helps keep your muscles toned and strong!

 

Like we stated above, skating is a full body workout. To keep your muscles toned and strong, you have to have a workout regimen that you can stick to consistently. Good news, skating is so much fun that you won’t want to miss a day!

 

      4. Skating works those tiny muscles that can sometimes be challenging to work.

 

It can sometimes be difficult to find a way to work certain muscles if you’re not super knowledgeable in the gym. Don’t spend your time researching the best weight lifting workout, just roller skate! 

Come see all the health benefits roller skating can offer you at Rainbow Skateland! Check out our hours of operation for more information on hours and pricing. 

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas

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Date nights with the one you love are always fun! Whether it’s just you and your special someone or a group date, it’s always a great time doing something exciting with your favorite company. The month of February is the month of love! Do you know what your plans are for the day of love, Valentine’s Day? If the only thing that comes to mind is the typical dinner and a movie date night, just know that isn’t your only option for this Valentine’s Day!

Add some fun and excitement to your Valentine’s date night by going roller skating! It’s a great activity for people of all ages to enjoy. Skating gives you the opportunity to get active, have some fun and laughs, and connect in a way that the typical dinner and a movie date night doesn’t let you! If you’re in the Lockport, New York area and looking for something different to do this Valentine’s Day, you should come hit the rink with us at Rainbow Skateland!

If you’re looking for a memorable and entertaining date night this Valentine’s Day, look no further than a roller skating date! When you come to Rainbow Skateland, you’re guaranteed a great time. Don’t let the fear of doing something different for date night hold you back. Skip the dinner and movie this Valentine’s Day, and hit the skating rink! Plan a date night you’ll never forget at Rainbow Skateland. Start planning your perfect Valentine’s Day today and be sure to include a stop by the skating rink in your plans!

 

Throw The Best Skating Birthday Party

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Are you ready to throw the best birthday party of the year? Whether it’s for your child, your friend, or even yourself, we have the perfect place in mind… Rainbow Skateland, of course! Roller skating is the perfect idea for any birthday party.

Here are 4 reasons why we think you should celebrate the next birthday in your life with a party at Rainbow Skateland:

It’s fun for everyone!

It’s hard not to smile or have fun when you’re skating, even if you’re not the best at it! Everyone will have so much fun and love the party. Plus, all the kids can burn off some energy on the rink!

Think of all the fun skating party favors!

There are so many skating party favor ideas you can include in your birthday party. From fun matching socks to glow sticks, the options are endless. And if you book our Super Glow Party Package, we take care of the goody bags and a glow pack for you so you don’t even have to think about it.

No clean up for you, mom!

Okay, let’s be honest that’s the part of a birthday party parents look forward to the least. It’s all fun and games until clean up time comes. However with our parties at Rainbow Skateland, we handle all of that for you! Now you can sit back, relax, and just host away, mom. You can even hit the rink to skate! We have this covered.

It’ll be the birthday they remember forever!

That’s what you want, right? They’ll love their celebration and this will be a special memory for the rest of their lives!

So, are you ready to book your next birthday bash at Rainbow Skateland? We’d love to have you! Come by or contact us today to schedule your party so you can start inviting all your friends and family to come hit the rink with us!

Great Holiday Gifts For Your Favorite Skater!

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So you have someone in your life who loves to roller skate and you have no idea on what to get them? Whether you’re looking for a holiday gift, stocking stuffer, birthday gift, or maybe a just because gift, we got you covered! No need to fret or scroll the internet aimlessly for hours trying to find something they’d like. Roller skaters of any age and any skill level will love any of these gifts!

Our top recommendations for holiday gifts for your favorite skater:

New Roller Skates

If you’re looking for the gift of all gifts, new roller skates would be perfect! You need to know what kind of roller skates they like and the size if you want to surprise them. However, you can always take them shopping to find their new perfect pair of skates!

Safety Gear

Every skater needs safety gear, especially if they’re skating outside! If you’re looking to give a responsible gift to a roller skating lover, safety gear would be it.

A Cool Bag

You have to have a cool bag to hold all your skating gear in! Make the skater’s life easier by helping them transport their skates and accessories.

Skate Accessories

There are so many customized accessories to go along with skates from glow in the dark laces to light up wheels, the possibilities are endless. Also, don’t forget a pair of super cool long socks for them to show off over the top of their roller skates.

A Trip To The Rink

If you’re more of an experience gifter or love quality time, give the skater a trip to the rink with (or without) you! We’d love to have you on the rink with us at Rainbow Skateland. Check out our hours of operation here!

We hope this helps you get some great holiday gift ideas for your favorite skater! Be sure to let us know what you get them. 

Happy Holidays from Rainbow Skateland!

3 Easy-To-Keep Resolutions For 2023 (And How To Stick To Them)

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It’s almost the end of 2022, which means it’s time to start thinking about what you’d like to do in 2023 and some new year’s resolutions. If you struggle with keeping your new year’s resolutions throughout the year, we have some suggestions on resolutions you can make this year and how you can stick to them!

Exercise more

While sometimes exercising can be looked at as a chore, it can be fun! Skate with us at Rainbow Skateland! There are so many health benefits of skating and it truly is a full body workout.

Spend more time with family

Who doesn’t want to make the effort to spend more time with their family next year? If you’re looking for something to do together outside of the house, come see us at Rainbow Skateland. We have weekly family skate events that your entire family will love!

Make new friends

If you want some new friends but don’t know where to look for them, hit the rink! Rainbow Skateland is a great place to meet new people with a shared love of skating!

Now if keeping new year’s resolutions is sometimes difficult for you, here are some things you can do to help you stick with them to be consistent throughout 2023:

  1. Plan ahead: Put your resolutions in your plans, so you don’t have to think about fitting them in.
  2. Talk about it: Tell the people around you about your resolutions, so they help keep you excited and hold you accountable.
  3. Track your progress: Sometimes nothing is more motivating than seeing how great you’ve done along the way.
  4. Don’t beat yourself up: Sometimes things go wrong, and that’s okay! Try again tomorrow.
  5. Just keep trying: You got this!

We hope to see you sticking to all of your resolutions in 2023 and skating with us! We wish you a very happy holiday season and new year!

Skating and Blading

If you want to do something FUN for your family and your heart, visit Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY! Roller Skating provides a complete aerobic workout and involves all the body’s muscles, especially the heart and is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits such as caloric consumption, body fat and leg strength development and is recommended by the The American Heart Association as a fitness sport. Since rental skates are available at Rainbow Skateland, toddler size 6 up to adult size 14, roller skating is a perfect activity for the whole family. Encourage your family to make healthy choices like roller skating and blading. FUN for your FAMILY… GREAT for your HEART! Check our Schedule for times and prices

Call to Book Your Party Today!

Rainbow Skateland is a family-owned and operated skating and entertainment center located in Lockport, New York. We provide children and families across Western New York with skating and party facilities.

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