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Sports: In-Line Skating

[ Background | Equipment |Where ]

Background

In-line skating (often called "rollerblading", which is the trademark of the industry leader, or simply, "blading") actually began in 1823 in London, England, though it didn't catch on at the time. In-line skating in its modern form began as a way for hockey players and cross-country skiers to train in the summer, and exploded in the early 1980's because of the newer soft polyurethane wheels. Some variations include roller hockey, slalom racing, trickblading, and freestyle blading.

In-line skating is a good way to condition and tone your butt, quads, calves, hamstrings and abdomen.

Equipment

In-line skating equipment begins with the boots. Most blades now have a pivoting heel stop, with varying mechanisms for quick braking. There are also several fastening systems, including laces, Velcro and buckles. Try them on for comfort, and make sure you can easily stop. Ask if you can take them for a quick spin, outside or around the store.

Everyone needs a helmet, elbow pads, wrist protectors and knee pads. Don't be tempted to blade without helmet and pads because falling is inevitable. And since most blading is done on asphalt or concrete paths, they are your only protection from serious scrapes and cuts. If you already have a helmet for your bike, you can use it for blading.

NOTE: If you are using the in-line skates for rollerhockey, tell the salesperson. Rollerhockey skates have a different set-up, a stronger chassis, and different wheels than recreational in-line skates.

Where

• Voyageur Pathway 30 km along the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, from Aylmer to the Gatineau River
• Pionniers Pathway 10.5 km connecting Aylmer, Quebec with Gatineau park
• Gatineau Pathway a 7.5 km pathway that moves you from the Ottawa River up into the middle of Gatineau Park
• Leamy Creek Pathway 6 km pathway around Lake Leamy, and past the Casino
• Ruisseau-de-la-Brasserie Pathway 3 km connecting the Ottawa River with Leamy Lake, along a pretty creek past the backside of downtown Hull.
• De I'Ile Pathway along the waterfront of Jacques-Cartier park in Hull
• Lac-des-Fees Parkway a 3.5 km gentle pathway into the lower Gatineau Park
• Watts Creek Pathway an 8 km pathway that connects Moodie Drive in the west end to Kanata past the Equestrian Park.
• Ottawa River Pathway This 31 km pathway winds itself alongside the Ottawa River parkway in the west, and has a 13 km stonedust segment in the east, connecting Rockcliffe to Cumberland.
• Pinecrest Creek Pathway a 4.5 km path that connects Baseline Rd to the Ottawa River pathway.
• Experimental Farm Pathway is an 8.5 km pathway winding through the mid-city rurul isolation of the Experimental Farm, from Woodroffe to the Rideau Canal.
• Rideau Canal East Pathway is 8 km along Colonel By Drive from Mooney's Bay past Carleton University and Ottawa University
• Rideau Canal West is an 8 km pathway from Dow's Lake alongside Queen Elizabeth Drive, passing Lansdowne Park, Patterson Creek and the NAC.
• Aviation Pathway leads you 5 km from Rockcliffe Airport south to Innes Rd.