If you’re learning how to roller skate or want to be on a roller derby team, you might be wondering where to practice roller skating outside of the rink or the best type of floor or surface to practice on..
So, where are some good places to practice roller skating? You can find great surfaces to roller skate on at tennis courts, basketball courts, apartment complex parking lots, school tracks, and more! Simply check out how well the surface is maintained and make sure you have the correct wheels for the surface you’ll be skating on.
Also, if you’re looking for local roller skating rinks to practice at, find one in your state here.
We hope that you’ll find these tips helpful and that you’ll have a lot of fun practicing your roller skating skills!
Best Roller Skate Wheels for Indoor & Outdoor Skating
No matter where you practice roller skating, you need to make sure that you have the best roller skate wheels for the surface you’ll be skating on.
If you’re planning on practicing outdoors, you might be wondering if skateboard wheels will work on roller skates. In most cases, you can use skateboard wheels on your roller skates as long as the baring is the same size.
Roller skate wheels have a durometer number which indicates how hard or soft the wheels are. This also will help you determine what kind of skating you can do; rough terrain, smooth surfaces, skate parks, etc.
The durometer scale goes from 1 to 100 with the lower the number being soft and the high the number being hard. There is also a “b” scale that measures 20 points lower for harder wheels.
Here is a brief description of the different wheels you can use for different surfaces.
78a to 87a. Soft wheels that are great for rough surfaces where you need a lot of grip to easily roll over cracks and pebbles.
88a to 95a. Slightly harder and faster wheels with a little less grip. Good for streets and rough surfaces.
96a to 99a. Nice speed and grip make this a more universal wheel. A great option for beginners who enjoy skate parks, roller skating rinks, and other smooth surfaces.
101a+. The hardest and fastest wheel with the least amount of grip. Ineffective on slick and rough surfaces. These are considered pro wheels and are not recommended for beginners.
Can You Roller Skate on a Tennis Court?
Many people have questioned whether roller skating on one will damage it or leave marks. Most people have found that roller skates do not damage tennis court surfaces unless you use a toe block for stopping. You might leave some marks from the rubber.
Tennis courts make great surfaces for practicing your roller skating. You should probably just check with the owner of the tennis court first to make sure they will allow you to skate there. They may have liability concerns and ask you not to skate there.
Tip: Get softer wheels, such as 78a wheels, so that you’ll have more grip and won’t fall on the gritty, sandpaper-like surface of tennis courts.
Can You Roller Skate on a Basketball Court?
Well maintained and smooth basketball court surfaces are the perfect place to practice roller skating. They are large and flat, making basketball courts ideal for roller skates.
However, keep an eye out for large cracks and lots of dirt and debris. These will impact your performance and ability to practice efficiently.
You might even be able to convince an indoor wood basketball court to let you skate. Make sure to ask the establishment first for permission.
Roller Skating on a Parking Lot
Parking lots are another great place for roller skating. Just as with outdoor basketball courts, they are generally flat and wide open. However, make sure to pick a parking lot that is well maintained and has few cracks or debris.
Additionally, be careful about skating around any cars and in high traffic areas. There is no need to be a hazard to yourself and those around you.
Ask for permission to use a back parking lot or area that has little traffic.
Roller Skating on School Track
Another great place to practice roller skating is on school tracks. If you can find a track that has a rubbery surface, this is a great place for beginners to start where they’ll have more grip and be less likely to fall.
Again, wheels should not damage the surface but you’ll want to make sure you have permission from the school to skate on the track.
Play around with different wheel hardness to see which performs the best.
