Quad skates have two rows of two wheels each. This wheel orientation differentiates quad skates from inline skates, which have four or five wheels in one line. You can wear quad skates for a variety different activities, such as roller hockey, roller derby, speed skating, artistic skating or roller dancing. Beginning and advanced quad skaters of all kinds should keep certain basic items in mind when skating.
Protective Gear
Always wear a helmet when skating. Measure your head using a tape measure to determine the right size helmet. Measure just the circumference of your head just above your eyebrows. If your head's circumference measures 20 to 21.75 inches, you should wear a small helmet, according to Rollerskates.net. If your head measures 22 to 22.75 inches, you should wear a medium helmet, and if your head measures 23.25 to 24 inches you should wear a large helmet. You should wear some other safety gear in addition to a helmet, including knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards.
Practice Spaces
Beginning skaters and advanced skaters trying to learn new skills should look for a quiet, safe practice space. Practice your skating away from crowds of pedestrians or other skaters. Look for a space free of obstacles, debris or vehicles. When you are first learning to skate, practice on a driveway, sidewalk, outdoor basketball court or other area bordered by grass, so that you can move onto softer ground to slow your motion or take a fall.
Safety
Do not skate at night or in low light conditions when drivers might have trouble seeing you. Look over your shoulder regularly while you skate in crowded areas to remain aware of your surroundings. Do not wear headphones while skating, as this practice will hinder your ability to hear approaching vehicles or other hazards.
Braking
While inline skates typically have brakes at the heel, quad skates have brakes at the toe. To stop your motion on quad skates, bend your knees and move your braking foot, preferably your dominant foot, behind the other foot. Shift your weight onto the front foot and lift the heel of your back skate up so that the toe points down. Drag the toe brake along the ground to slow down. Master this braking method before you begin learning to skate fast.
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