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!

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!

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. 

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!

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!

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!

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!

So how do you know it’s time to change your roller skating wheels? Do you know how to change the wheels? If not, or if you just need some extra reassurance, we have you covered! Keep reading to learn when it’s time to change out your roller skating wheels and how to replace them!

When To Know It’s Time To Replace Your Roller Skate Reels 

There are a good many ways that you can tell the wheels on your skates need to be replaced. Maybe they’re making a thudding noise or you feel uneven wear. Both of these typically mean your skate wheels need to be replaced.

Wheels can wear differently based on which wheel it is on the skate, as well as what kind of skating you do. Certain roller sports like jam skating, roller derby, speed skating, and more can put more wear on your wheels.

5 Steps To Replacing Your Roller Skate Wheels

The wheels are imperative to roller skating, so it’s important to keep them in good condition and regularly maintain them. By following these 5 easy steps, you’ll have new wheels on your skates in no time:

Loosen the axle nut or screw

You’ll want to first loosen the axle nut or screw. Remember, lefty loosey! Continue loosening until you can remove the nut or axle bolt.

Remove the wheels

Next, you’ll want to carefully remove the wheel. Make sure you leave everything else ready to put the new wheel into it.

Fit the new wheels in the axel

You’ll want to clean the axle and then fit the new wheels in. Be sure they are lined up properly and facing the right way before you tighten them.

Attach the wheel and tighten them

Once you know they’re in there properly, it’s time to tighten them back up. Remember, righty tighty! Be careful to not overdo it and damage the axle.

Test the new wheels

Before you take them for a spin on your feet, be sure to test them on the ground and roll them around. Make sure they roll freely, but the wheel is still stable within the axle.

Once your new skates are ready to go, come by Rainbow Skateland to take them for a spin! Check out our hours of operation here.

There’s a briskness to the air and the scent of pumpkin spice is in the wind. Sweaters, light scarves, and boots are now in the closet and the leaves are starting to fall. All of the signs are here, it’s fall! If you’re looking for fun family activities in Lockport, New York to celebrate the fall season, we have the perfect ideas for you!

Go Apple Picking At McCollum Orchards & Gardens

This farm has been in the same family for 191 and is a hidden gem! It practices organic farming practices and offers a lot more than just apples.

Visit The Pumpkin Patch At The Great Pumpkin Farm

The Great Pumpkin Farm not only offers a pumpkin patch, but all sorts of activities to do while you’re there. They have a corn maze, apple cannon, hayride, shooting gallery, petting zoo, and so much more.

Hike At John B. Austin Nature Trail

John B. Austin Nature Trail has some easy to follow trails that are great for all ages. There’s also some beautiful waterfalls on some of the trails along the way!

Skate With Us At Rainbow Skateland

There’s family fun happening at Rainbow Skateland all year round! Along with roller skating, we have our bounce zone, game zone, and golf. Check out our Family of 4 Deal days, Learn to Skate Classes, and skate times here. Also be sure to check out our Veterans Day special on Friday, November 11th where all military members skate free!

We hope your family has tons of fall fun, including skating along with us at Rainbow Skateland!

Halloween will be here before you know it. Do you know what your family will be dressing up as this year? We have some great ideas for you to plan the perfect family Halloween costume!

Here are our 10 favorite family Halloween costumes:

Superhero Family

Whether you’re a Marvel family, a DC family, or a little bit of both, have everyone dress up as their favorite superhero for a personalized theme.

The Incredibles Family

Or if The Incredibles are more your thing, this would be a great option for your family!

Cruella de Vil And Her Dalmations

Anyone in your family can choose to be Cruella and the rest can be her dalmations!

Shark Family

For all the “Baby Shark” lovers, this is the perfect family Halloween costume!

Harry Potter Characters

For all of our Harry Potter fan families, have each person dress up as their favorite character from any of the books.

Peter Pan Characters

From Peter to Tinkerbell to Wendy to Captain Hook, each member of your family can be a character from the movie.

Circus Family

If your house is a circus, you’re certainly not alone! Revel in that and have each person dress up as their favorite act in the circus. 

The Addams Family Characters

With another movie coming out, this family costume is an oldie but a classic!

Gru And His Minions

Or you can have everyone dress up as minions. Your choice!

Favorite Sports Team

Give the expensive sports gear another use and have everyone dress up as a player from your family’s favorite sports team.

We hope this gives you ideas for your family’s 2022 Halloween costumes! We’d love to know what you decide to dress up as, stop by Rainbow Skateland and let us know.