Writers, Author at Rainbow Skateland

Discover the History of Roller Skating

June 21, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

We bet you love roller skating as much as we do. It’s incredibly fun, great exercise, and a blast to do with friends. But, did you know that roller skating has a very interesting history? Before heading to Rainbow Skateland, check out the history of roller skating:

Roller Skating in the 1700’s & 1800’s

Before America was officially a country, roller skating was born! Here are a few highlights from roller skating in the 1700’s and 1800’s:

1743: Roller skates made their debut in a London stage performance.
1760: John Joseph Merlin was credited with creating the first roller skate.
1819: Mr. Petitbled patented the first roller skate design. Though this creation was impressive, these skates were not very maneuverable.
1857: The first public roller skating rinks were opened in London.
1863: James Plimpton improved on previous roller skating designs and created the quad skate.
1875: The sport of roller skating is born! England held its very first roller skating competition.
1876: The toe stop was created which roller skaters still use today.
1880’s: America experienced her first roller skate “boom” period.

Roller Skating in the 1900’s

A lot happened in the 1700’s and 1800’s concerning roller skating and roller skates. But, the adventure was still only beginning. With more development, precision, and engineering, roller skates transformed into an incredible tool that millions of people began to use for fun. Check out a few highlights from roller skating in the 1900’s:

1902: A public skating rink opened in Chicago. Over 7,000 people showed up for opening night!
1977: Roller skates appeared in a German DEFA movie called Die zertanzten Schuhe. (More roller skating movies have been made since then such as Whip It and Roll Bounce.
1980’s: Scott Olson created the company Rollerblade, Inc.
1983: Roller skating received incredible recognition when President Ronald Raegan declared October as National Roller Skating Month.
1993: Roller skating safety increased tremendously when Rollerblade, Inc. created Active Break Technology.

Since 1993, more changes and developments have been made. But, one thing remains the same: people all over the world love roller skating! So, come to Rainbow Skateland today to get your skate on! Check out our hours here.

3 Roller Skating Tricks You Can Definitely Master

June 6, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

You likely know by now that roller skating is a very beneficial hobby. It has incredible mental, emotional, and health benefits! To amp up your roller skating game, you should try several roller skating tricks or even take skate lessons at Rainbow Skateland.

Check out three simple roller skating tricks that you can learn this summer:

Skating Backwards

If you want to learn how to skate backwards, you will be able to master it through practice. To make things easiest, start at the wall. Keep your chest angled toward the ground and tighten your abs. Push off the wall and take small steps backward. After you feel comfortable with this step, push off the wall again and take strides backwards (instead of steps). To gain momentum, let your hips do the work! Continue this step until you feel comfortable not using the wall.

Jumping

Jumping is one of the first tricks you can learn after you’ve mastered the art of gliding and falling correctly. First, you’ll want to take several powerful glides to get your momentum going. When you feel confident, bend your knees and put your feet close together. Push off the ground and jump straight up. When you feel yourself coming back down, make sure to keep your knees bent. This will help you land correctly. When you land, continue your glide. (This makes you look super cool and helps the landing be smooth.)

Spinning

Spinning is a fun trick that can impress your friends. First, find an open area where other skaters won’t bump into you. After taking several gliding strides, act as if you are making a tight turn. But, instead of straightening out your roller skates, continue gliding while your skates are turned. When you want to stop, just point your feet forward!

Every great skater needs a place to practice cool roller skating tricks. So, head to Rainbow Skateland today for the perfect place to practice! Check out our hours, grab some friends, and have hours of endless fun.

Tips for Roller Skating Etiquette

May 24, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

The skating rink is a great place to have fun with old friends or meet new people. A day at the rink will be easier and more fun for you if you know the proper skating etiquette. Next time you’re out for some open skating at Rainbow Stateland, follow these tips to make sure you’re being a polite skater.

Pay attention! Make sure you skate in the same direction as everyone else and look out for other skaters, especially those who are younger or smaller than you. This is especially important if you’re skating backwards or much faster than the people around you.
Don’t block other skaters. Avoid sudden stops, stay with the flow of traffic (it usually goes counterclockwise, but just make you check first), and don’t cut people off. Any of these could cause collisions, and nobody wants that!
If you’d like to work on particular skating skills or just dance a bit, the center of the rink is the place to do it! This is where you can to practice turns, tricks, etc. without anyone getting in your way – or vice versa.
Always listen to the Rainbow Skateland staff. The DJ will make announcements related to the direction of skating, as well as special skates for kids, couples, singalongs, etc. Staff members are there to help make sure everyone has a good time, which means enforcing the rules, so be respectful.

We want everyone to feel welcome at Rainbow Skateland. If all our guests work together to follow the rules and guidelines, we’ll all have fun together!

How to Avoid Roller Skate Blisters

May 9, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

Nothing ruins a great roller skating experience like a blister. It can last for several days which makes it tough to walk and skate! So, it’s good to know how blisters form and how to prevent them.

Blisters form when the skin is rubbed the wrong way or if there is an excess amount of friction. A protective layer of skin bubbles up over the affected area and fluid collects in the bubble. The blister acts as a bandage until the wound has healed, so don’t pop it! If you’ve developed a blister, treat the area with care. But, in the future, consider these helpful tips to avoid getting blisters:

Wear Socks

Unless you bring your own roller skates to Rainbow Skateland, you’re likely renting them from our selection. When you put on the roller skates, make sure you are wearing socks that are thick and go past your ankle. If your socks are too thin or too low, blisters may occur.

Choose the Right Skate Size

If you wear skates that are too tight, there will be friction against your feet and roller skates. Friction is another cause of blisters. Choose a skate size that is closest to your shoe size. If it’s too tight, swap them out for a bigger size!

Use Extra Protection

If you have sensitive skin or just want to take extra precaution to avoid getting blisters, place blister pads on blister-prone areas. These pads will give you extra cushion that your socks may not be able to provide.

Now that you know how to avoid getting blisters, head over to Rainbow Skateland for hours of fun. Check out our schedule, invite your friends and family members, and have a blast at the rink!

Party Like It’s Already Summer at Rainbow Skateland

April 26, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and you know what that means: it’s almost time for end-of-year parties! Here are some tips for a great end of year celebration for your school group or sports team.

First of all, start early. Don’t wait until the last minute to try to coordinate schedules, make plans, and collect any necessary funds. Give parents plenty of notice and they’ll thank you for it! Plus, kids will have something to look forward to, which may help mitigate any of that dreaded spring fever.

Second, don’t forget to show your appreciation to the members of your group. A party at the end of the year is a great time to hand out awards, thank parents and students, share memories, and make speeches, as well as get together one last time before the summer break.

Finally, don’t think you have to do all this by yourself. Ask for volunteers from the parents of kids in your organization. Who knows how many amateur event planners you have in your circle? You can also make the whole process easier on yourself and the parents involved by hosting your party at Rainbow Skateland. Our packages are affordable, flexible, and make it easy to host a great event because we include everything you’ll need. You work hard just like the members of your team–give yourself a break. Let us handle the setup and clean up this time so you can focus on having fun with the kids on your team!

Ways to Get Involved in National Volunteer Month

April 10, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

April is National Volunteer Month – a celebratory month where thousands of people give back to their community! Are you searching for ways to get involved?

Check out these ideas that we know you’ll love:

Host a Fundraiser at Rainbow Skateland

Are you looking for a fun way to raise money for a local non-profit or charity? Host a fundraiser at Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY! When you set up your fundraiser with us, your group will get money back for every admission. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to get involved. We won’t be surprised if it becomes an annual event!

Clean Up a Trail or Park Near Lockport, NY

Get your kids involved in Keep America Beautiful Month (April) by bringing them to a local park or trail. Talk to them about how important it is for everyone to take part in cleaning up the community and keeping nature beautiful. There are many parks near Lockport, NY, from which you can choose. Here are a few beautiful options:

Rollin T Grant Gulf Wilderness Park
Town of Lockport Nature Trail
Royalton Ravine County Park
Ellicott Creek Island Park
Niawanda Park

This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and let your kids get much-needed fresh air! If you’d rather get involved with a local organization, you can do that too! By finding the right volunteer opportunity, you’ll likely meet new friends and find a new hobby.

After enjoying the outdoors, bring the family to Rainbow Skateland in Lockport, NY! We can answer any questions you have about hosting a fundraiser at our skating center. Contact us today with your questions.

Skate Lessons at Rainbow Skateland!

March 29, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

What’s the best way to improve your roller skating game? Take some lessons! Whether you’re a total newbie or just want to refresh your knowledge after a few years (or decades), the Learn to Skate Class at Rainbow Skateland has what you need.

Classes are on Saturdays from 11:00 to 11:45. That’s early enough that you’ll have time to do other things during your day, but not so early that late sleepers will be grumpy. Admission to class is just $6 (skate rental is an additional $3) and includes a 45-minute lesson as well as admission to the public skating session that starts at noon. You’ll learn the basics of skating in a fun, friendly environment with professional, certified instructors. No stress, just skating!

Roller skating isn’t just a fun way for kids and parents to spend the day. It’s also great exercise. Skating provides a cardio workout comparable to jogging, but is much easier on your joints. It also helps develop critical skills like balance, muscle tone (your legs and core will get a great workout), musicality, and rhythm. It peels kids off the screens, encourages socialization, and provides a great afternoon of fun without breaking the bank!

All ages are welcome at skate lessons, as long as kids are old enough to stand to skate by themselves and follow directions. If you have any questions about whether lessons are good for your kids, don’t guess–call Rainbow Skateland! We can’t wait to see you and your family for lessons and family skate time!

Why the Best Birthday Parties are at Rainbow Skateland

March 13, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for great birthday party venues in the North Tonawanda area, look no further than Rainbow Skateland! We have plenty of unique and fun party packages you can choose from: Super Party Package, Deluxe Party Package, and a Private Birthday Bash are just a few that will rock your socks!

But, beyond our awesome party packages, discover why the best birthday parties are hosted at Rainbow Skateland:

It Won’t Break the Bank

It’s hard to use the words fun and affordable in the same sentence when it comes to a birthday party. But at Rainbow Skateland, it’s not only possible, it happens all the time! Plan a great birthday party at the rink and customize it to fit your needs. You’ll enjoy it and won’t be paying for it later.

Party Guests Will Get Worn Out

Is this birthday party for your little one? Well, your birthday girl and her guests will have a blast for hours … especially with these awesome roller skating games! And as an added plus for you and the other parents, they’ll get completely worn out and sleep great that night. You’ll be able to relax after the party while your birthday girl is sleeping.

Completely Organized & Easy to Plan

We’re serious about this fact. Our birthday parties are organized and easy to plan … because we help you plan everything! You don’t have to stress about the details because we know exactly how to help. From the invitations to the party plates and napkins, we have everything covered.

The team at Rainbow Skateland is ready and waiting for you to book a birthday party at our venue! We hope to see you soon!

Five Reasons We Love Roller Skating

February 21, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

It’s finally February, and you know what that means: everyone’s talking about love! Here are five reasons we love roller skating at Rainbow Skateland.

It’s Great Exercise. Most of us don’t get as much physical activity as we should for optimal health. Roller skating is a perfect way to change that, because it provides a complete aerobic workout, but will be fun enough that you barely notice. Plus, it’s easy on your joints.
It’s Affordable. Most nights you can get admission and skate rental for under $10, which includes hours of fun. Check out our Monday night after school skate special, which includes pizza and drinks as well! Our regular prices are inexpensive, but don’t forget to keep an eye on our Facebook page for announcements of specials.
It’s Great for Everyone. Kids, adults, and everyone in between can enjoy roller skating. We even have sessions just for families with young children.
It’s Fun! Between the music, the nostalgia, the chance to express yourself, and the opportunity to hang out with friends, you’re going to have a great time.
Did we mention it’s Fun? Exercise and spending time with friends will boost your mood, which is so important in the dark, cold months of winter. Sometimes self-care means getting out and having a little fun!

No matter which reason is your top reason, we can all agree that we love roller skating. Make February the best month of the year (so far, at least) by joining us for fun and friendship at Rainbow Skateland!

The Best Party Games to Play at Your Next Skating Party

February 15, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

Your kiddo’s birthday is approaching, and we bet you’re wondering how to make it special. Fortunately, Rainbow Skateland is a great birthday party venue in the Lockport area!

And to make it even better, the team at Rainbow Skateland put together a few roller skating games that your party guests will definitely love.

Consider these three roller skating games when you book a birthday party at Rainbow Skateland.

Gliders

This game is great for two or more people. Position all skaters at the end of the rink, and instruct them to take three long glides with their skates when you say “GO.” After three glides, the skaters must see how far they can roll. Whoever rolls the farthest, wins!

Follow the Leader

This game is fun for all ages (and fun to watch)! Appoint one skater to be the leader, and everyone else must do exactly what she does. If a skater fails to do what the leader does, she’s out. Entertaining ideas for the leader include skating on one foot, skating while positioned like a ball, and skating backward!

Charades

This game is especially fun on roller skates! Let each player write ideas on several pieces of paper, then throw it in a hat. One skater must act out what is on a piece of paper. You can divide the birthday guests into teams – boys versus girls always gets kids into a competitive spirit!

Are you ready to book a birthday party at Rainbow Skateland? Contact us today if you have any questions. We look forward to celebrating your special day!