US Roller Speed Skating The Impact of COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 has been powerful and has affected everyone. When it comes to Roller Speed Skating, my, going to be last meet, was cancelled then the last meet before Nationals was also cancelled. I am pretty upset about the matter but it hasn’t beaten me down. Because of COVID-19, I have had my practices cancelled as well so I now do more outside practice. It has been a little bit challenging transitioning into more outdoor skating than indoor but I have enjoyed it so far. My main issue that I have personally, is that I don’t have the correct wheels so I slide around more outside on concrete. I have been deciding to get new wheels that are made for outdoor use but I have not decided yet since I will be leaving for college soon and I won’t be able to use the wheels very long. 

I believe that skaters in the same situation about their practices and meets being cancelled should try or do more outdoor skating. You could have a parking lot to skate around, maybe a paved trail, or even around town. I have personally down all of those including, when school was still going on, skating to school. Also doing this will keep you in shape and when you go back to skating, you won’t be trying to get back into it and your legs won’t feel like jelly. You can also do the same exercises as if you were still doing indoors but you will have to adjust to turns or people being in your way. It is challenging and you will have to control yourself so you don’t wreck or hit someone. Just the other day, I hit a small rock pile going into a turn and lost control. Luckly, I was able to catch myself but I could have done a lot of damage to myself. I also think that if you are going to skate outdoors, always have your phone, helmet, and gloves on/with you. If something happens to you, you can call someone and if you fall, the helmet will help protect your ed and the gloves will help so you don’t tear them up. 

The photo I will provide is of a common parking lot but in reality, what you are looking for is a lot of space, at least enough to resemble an indoor track.