Skateboarding Vs. Rollerblading

Skateboarding and rollerblading are not only a means of transportation along streets and sidewalks but also a sport of tricks and competitions. They are similar sports but have differences in riding styles and foot control. There are safety issues with each sport which can be reduced with the proper equipment.

  1. Equipment

    • The sports of skateboarding and rollerblading both include equipment the feet ride on, but rollerblading offers more control with the skates directly attached to the feet and ankles. Skateboarders rely on the traction between the soles of their shoes and deck of their board for control, allowing them to easily bale off the board avoiding a wreck. Rollerblades have fixed wheels forcing the user to turn with body movement while skateboards have flexible trucks the wheels ride on using the decks motion to turn. Rollerblades often have slightly large wheels which offer a more stable and smoother ride than the smaller skateboard wheels.

    Terrain

    • Skateboarding and rollerblading are ideal for the same terrain including concrete and pavement surfaces. They utilize similar wheels made from rubber that need a semi-clean surface to roll efficiently and cannot traverse large rocks or objects due to their small size. Rollerbladers and skateboarders often use sidewalks, parking lots and skate parks together as their landscape of choice. They are alike in they can be used in the same competitions including vertical half-pipe, freestyle and street courses.

    Safety

    • Safety is a major concern with both rollerblading and skateboarding due to the hard surface they are practiced on. The safety equipment for both is the same and includes knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet which protects the body against contact with concrete or pavement. The upright position of both sports puts the user in a position for an off-balance fall leaving him vulnerable to a head injury. Skateboarding poses more risks due to the reduced stability of the feet.

    Tricks

    • Rollerbladers and skateboarders can perform a variety of tricks including some with similarities and others that are unique to each sport. The skateboard allows riders to perform tricks where they leave the board to perform a trick such as an ollie, hand plant and flip kick. Rollerbladers have unique tricks of their own including various grabs while in the air and tow rolls where the user rides on only the front wheels. These sports share many tricks due to their similar nature including grinds as well as aerial tricks such as flips and spins.