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Did you know? There’s more to roller skating than you thought! Here’s 10 things you might not have known about roller skating. 

1. John Joseph Merlin was the first to introduce roller skates in 1760 at a fancy masquerade party. He was trying to show off but after no practice, he ran into a mirror and suffered serious physical injuries (ouch)!

2. Trucks were introduced in 1863 by James Plimpton, which allowed you to turn while in the direction you want to go. This changed the future of skates forever!

3. In 1916, Charlie Chaplin starred in the first roller skating movie, The Rink.

4. The first marriage on roller skates took place in 1912, in Milwaukee, WI!

5. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has found roller skating to be twice as safe as playgrounds and three times safer than basketball or football.

6. Roller skating burns 600 calories an hour and provides a good cardio workout.

7. Roller skating centers host 23 million visits per year from kids in grades fifth through seventh and 18 million visits annually by kindergarteners through fourth graders.

8. An American Sports Data survey revealed 10.8 million people roller skate (traditional quad skating). Another 29 million inline skate.

Looking for more information on roller skating? SE Skate has it all! Check out our wholesale equipment as well as technical info like sizing charts, measurements, instructions and more.

It is not a thought many of us have, but when our wheels hit that rink floor, more than two centuries of history and tinkering occurred to bring us to where we are today. It is difficult to imagine a world without roller skating, but there once was a time when the terms “roller rink” or “roller skating” meant nothing. Now, you may be a little curious as to how all of this got its start, and what influences happened along the way, but two centuries is a lot to sort through. Southeastern Skate Supply, roller skating supply distributor, has compiled a timeline of the pivotal moments in roller skating history to make it a little easier on you!

Roller Skating Timeline

• 1743: This is the first ever recorded account of anyone using anything like roller skates. These first skates were used in a London stage performance, and the inventor is unknown.
• 1760: The first roller skates are invented! Though the first account was in the stage performance, this is the first ever actual invention of what we know today. These skates were actually inline, believe it or not, and had small metal wheels. The inventor was John Joseph Merlin.
• 1819: First patented roller skate design, in France by M. Petitbled. These skates are more similar to what we know today. It was very difficult to maneuver in this early design, and was difficult to do much else but move in a straight line.
• 1857: Roller skating has finally gained enough popularity by this point and has warranted the opening of the first public rinks! They were held at The Strand in London and Floral Hall.
• 1863: The quad roller skate makes its first appearance. Designed by James Leonard Plimpton in New York City, this model of roller skate made it easier for the skater to turn.
• 1880: Roller skates are beginning to be mass produced in America, and is experiencing a boom in popularity.
• 1902: The Chicago Coliseum opens a public skating rink, and more than 7,000 people attend the grand opening.
• 1916: The first appearance of roller skates on the big screen is in the Charlie Chaplain film, “The Rink.”
• 1979: Scott Olson and Brennan Olson set out to redesign the skate by using a 1960’s inline skate design and using modern materials and an ice hockey boot. Scott Olson begins promoting the skate, and creates Rollerblade, Inc.
• Adjustments to the skates are made over the course of the next decades, and with a bit of tweaking and honing, we have arrived at what we have today!

Photo Credit: Flickr Photo via Public.Resource.Org

Roller skating is, of course, one of our favorite past times! Southeaster Skate Supply, skating supplies distributor, has made some great memories in the rink. Fun is not usually associated with fitness or exercise for many people. So, roller skating couldn’t be a great source of exercise, could it? Actually, it is! Roller skating is recommended by the American Heart Association as a great aerobic exercise, but what are the actual benefits of rolling around the rink?

Here are 5 of the top health benefits of roller skating!

1. Even at a slower pace, when you skate at a steady pace, it can and will improve your cardio vascular health!
2. If you are looking to shed some calories, there is no more fun way to do it! Roller skating can burn up to 600 calories in one hour!
3. If you come to the skating rink on a regular basis, chances are, you are giving your muscles tremendous exercise! From your legs to your core, skating will make you strong!
4. Your endurance will greatly improve when you skate on a regular basis. And the more times you skate, the longer you’ll be able to do it each session!
5. The health benefits extend beyond just physical. Roller skating is a wonderful way to blow off some steam and destress after a long week of work or school.

If you are interested in the services of Southeastern Skate Supply, contact us with any questions you may have!

Improperly fitting roller skates can be extremely frustrating, and if you are a beginner it can bend that learning curve even more than it already was. But a skate that doesn’t fit quite right, doesn’t always mean that you selected the wrong size for your foot. While this is a very definite possibility, you may also just need to simply adjust the laces. Like skates, feet come in all different shapes and sizes, and sometimes minor tweaks need to be made. Southeastern Skate Supply wants to see everyone who tries on a pair of our skates have nothing less than a great time! Follow these lacing tips if you are someone who is struggling with this.

• High Arches? If you have really high arches that cause the tops of your feet to be raised a little higher than most, relieve that pressure. Roller skates are supposed to be a little snug, but not uncomfortable.
• Is your heel slipping? If this is you, and you have been fitted for skates by someone who is knowledgable, try this lacing technique that will help alleviate this issue.
• Toe problems? Let’s raise them up a bit! This particular lacing method will help to alleviate hammer toes, toe corn, nail problems and any other painful toes issues you might experience with your toes.