Inline speed skating has gained popularity in recent years as a thrilling and challenging sport. One of the most prestigious events in the sport is the NorthShore Inline Marathon, which takes place every year in Duluth, Minnesota. The NorthShore Inline Marathon attracts top skaters from around the world to compete in a 26.2-mile race along the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior. But you don't have to be a professional skater to enjoy inline speed skating. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skater, inline speed skating offers a fun way to stay fit, improve your balance and coordination, and experience the thrill of speed on wheels. In this blog post, we'll provide some tips and techniques for beginners who want to get started with inline speed skating.
Here are some inline speed skating tips for beginners:
Start with the right equipment:
To start inline speed skating, you'll need a good pair of skates that fit properly and provide good support. Choose skates that are specifically designed for speed skating and have a low-cut design for maximum ankle flexibility. Remember you should also wear a helmet. If you are looking for properly fitted skates there are some great options out there. Check out our recent blog to learn more: https://www.northshoreinline.com/post/how-to-select-the-right-size-wheel-for-inline-skating
Focus on proper posture and balance:
One of the most important aspects of inline speed skating is maintaining proper posture and balance. Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight centered over your feet. Avoid leaning too far forward or backward, and keep your arms straight and close to your body. Our friends over at Rollerblade have a great video to teach you everything you need to know. Check out their link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfOOwxLUsB4
Learn the basic stride:
The basic stride is the foundation of inline speed skating. To perform the basic stride, start with your feet shoulder-width apart and push off with one foot while simultaneously gliding with the other foot. As you gain speed, switch feet and continue alternating. Watch the video above to get a great visual of how it's done.
Work on your speed and endurance:
Inline speed skating requires both speed and endurance, so it's important to work on both. Practice interval training, where you alternate between high-intensity sprints and low-intensity recovery periods. You should also do long-distance skating to build endurance.
Join a team or club:
Joining a team or club can be a great way to improve your skills and meet other skaters. Look for local clubs or teams that offer training sessions, coaching, and opportunities to compete. Facebook is a great way to find skating clubs, or reach out to us and we are happy to connect you.
Stay safe:
Inline speed skating can be dangerous, so it's important to stay safe. Always wear protective gear, skate in safe areas, and follow traffic laws. If you're skating outdoors, be aware of your surroundings and avoid obstacles like rocks and debris.
Inline speed skating takes time and practice to master, but with these tips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled skater. Remember to start with the right equipment, focus on proper technique and balance, and practice regularly to improve your speed and endurance. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the ride!
What is the NorthShore Inline Marathon?
Join the United State's largest Inline Marathon
The NorthShore Inline Marathon is one of the most prestigious inline speed skating events in the world. Founded in 1996 by Olympian George Hovland, the NorthShore Inline Marathon (NSIM) quickly grew, becoming the world's largest skating race and has had competitors including Olympians, professional hockey players (NHL), professional speed skaters, and more. Constantly ranked in the top 5 Inline marathons in the world, the NSIM marathon is aiming to take its spot back as the world's largest. NSIM's race travels over the beautiful scenic Highway 61. The race is between Two Harbors and Duluth, Minnesota on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior.
In the pursuit of creating events for all competitors, NSIM added events for all ages and abilities. Our 2023 Race Event weekend will be September 15-17th. It includes our NorthShore Inline Marathon, the NorthShore Half Marathon Skate, a combined skate(39.3 miles), and our Tunnel 10k skate. In our Rollerski division, we have the 42k rollerski and 21k rollerski. Additionally, we have our running races including our St. Luke's Half Marathon and the Tunnel 10k run.
Join us September 15th - 17th for a full weekend of activities!
Registration is open and can be found on our website.