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By Kim Perkins
Water-blading - Singin', dancin' and skatin' in the rain. If you don't mind getting wet, skating in the rain can be buckets of fun. But don't expect to set a new speed record or zip around corners with your usual dazzle. Wet pavement provides less traction. So you'll have to lower your expectations and skate more cautiously — or rain won't be the only thing falling! Stop Slipping and Start Gripping Most skaters know to avoid painted patches of pavement in the rain, and to use grippier (softer) wheels. But here are a few other things you can do to avoid "slip-sliding away." 1.) Keep your feet under you. That sliding feeling sneaks in when your feet get too far away from your body at the end of your stroke. Shorten your stroke to maximize friction. 2.) Use the double push. You don't have to do it perfectly or do a full-out Chad. A little under push in the middle of your stroke can help compensate for a shorter classic push. 3.) Practice makes pain-free. Rain skating uses slightly different muscles than dry skating. After a long wet skate, your adductors (inner thigh muscles) may be throbbing. To toughen them up, practice some duck walking (walking in your skates with your toes pointed out) or step up your gym routine.
4.) Use more caution on turns. Take the corners more gradually and at slower speeds. (Remember: Everyone goes slower in the rain. Not just you!) 5.) Give yourself more time to stop. No matter what kind of braking method you use (heel brake, t-stop, etc.), it's going to take longer to stop on slippery pavement. So plan accordingly! 6.) If you are worried about wet feet or skates, buy a pair of Ezeefit's rain/wind covers. They'll keep you dry. 7.) If you plan to use your bearings again, clean them fast ... before they rust. This is true for most standard bearings. However, skaters with greased bearings (store-bought or packed with engine grease) often go months in rainy conditions with no problem. Oiled bearings can be flushed with WD40. --- Kim Perkins has plenty of experience with wet-weather skating. She won the Related reading: • Skate Tip of the Week Archive
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Copyright © 2007 by Robert Burnson | ||||||||
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rainy Athens to Atlanta Road Skate in 2004 — her third consecutive a2a victory — before retiring from racing. She recently moved to Southern California, where she is pursuing a master's degree in psychology at Claremont University.