Rollerblading is a cousin of Roller Skating. The first Roller-blades were invented to help Cross-Country Skiers train in the off-season, and were modelled after the shape and feel of a cross-country ski. I read somewhere that Roller Skate design wasn't even consulted in the process. This is part of why Rollerblades have such heavy ankle protection where as Ice Skates have much less (Even Hockey Skates), and roller-skates can be purchased with almost no ankle support at all.
And having been on all three, I can tell you that the feel of Roller-Blades, Ice Skates, and Roller-Skates are all incredibly different!
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timeasmymeasure
Technically...
Date: 2003-10-31 02:32 pm (UTC)The first Roller-blades were invented to help Cross-Country Skiers train in the off-season, and were modelled after the shape and feel of a cross-country ski. I read somewhere that Roller Skate design wasn't even consulted in the process. This is part of why Rollerblades have such heavy ankle protection where as Ice Skates have much less (Even Hockey Skates), and roller-skates can be purchased with almost no ankle support at all.
And having been on all three, I can tell you that the feel of Roller-Blades, Ice Skates, and Roller-Skates are all incredibly different!