Aggressive skating

This article is mostly about aggressive inline skating. For an extensive treatment of skateboarding tricks, see here.

Aggressive skating is a stunt-based form of skateboarding or inline skating, though it is more commonly used with the latter. Originally started on half pipes and then moving on to city streets, aggressive skaters attempt tricks such as sliding ("grinding") on the edge of concrete ledges or handrails, jumping over stairs or other gaps, performing 180s or 360s, and generally trying to defy gravity or physics in any way possible.

The term aggressive skating is a name only used outside the industry to describe the specific style of inline skating, but not a term most within the sport enjoy hearing or using. Instead, those who practice the sport simply refer to it as "rollerblading", "rolling", "blading", or "skating". It should be noted that using any variation of term "rollerblade" is, technically, trademark dilution.

In the past, most people inside and out of aggressive skating would have defined it as a sport. But currently people view it as a cross between a sport and art form.

Historically, skateboarding has always looked down on aggressive inline skating. The reasons for this vary. It's not uncommon for hostilities to break out between skateboarders and inline skaters that come in direct contact. But it's equally as common to find the two interacting with no problems, to find people who cross over from one to the other, and to see groups of skaters containing both variations.

Street Skating

Aggressive skating is sometimes referred to as street skating, however there exist subtle differences between the two. Street skating differs in that its tricks are intended for use on city streets, as opposed to a skate park, and are generally done on "fitness" skates, as opposed to "aggressive" skates. Fitness skates do not have a grind plate or H-block, and the typical wheel diameter is much larger than those found on aggressive skates (~78mm vs ~55mm).

A similar distinction does not exist for skateboards: while there are variations of skateboards (such as the longboard), there is not a "normal" skateboard and an "aggressive" one.

Whereas aggressive skating has a plethora of tricks to choose from, street skating is somewhat limited. The larger wheels and shape of the boots prevent grinding and some kinds of stair bashing. Instead, street skating (in its purest form) involves complete mastery of the basic elements (such as jumps, 180s, 360s, and stalls) so that a street skater can easily glide through an unpredictable and uncontrolled street environment while still making it "look easy." In this respect, street skating is more a form of optimized transportation than showing off.

Aggressive skates

Aggressive skates are a variety of inline skates with some or all of the following characteristics:

• Hard outer shell
• Small wheel diameter, High wheel durometer rating
• Grind plate
• H-block

The hard outer shell, typically made of high-impact plastic, is for protection of the skater's foot. Typically these skates are exposed to greater impacts than fitness skates, due to the stunts attempted with them.

The smaller wheel diameter and higher durometer rating found on aggressive skates serves multiple purposes. A smaller wheel diameter (usually around 55mm) decreases the top speed of the skate, due to a decreased moment of inertia. However, this decreased moment of inertia allows the skate to accelerate/decelerate much quicker. A durometer measures the hardness of the wheels, and generally ranges from 72A to 89A. A higher durometer number indicates a harder wheel. Softer wheels are used for gripping and turning, but generally wear faster and have a decreased top speed (due to rolling resistance). Harder wheels have less shock absorbance and grip, but do not wear as fast and provide higher top speeds.

The grind plate (or soul plate) is typically a piece of metal or high-impact plastic placed on the sole of the skate (where the flat part of the foot would be if there were no wheel). It is used during certain kinds of grinds and slides.

The H-block is typically a piece of metal or high-impact plastic placed between the 2nd and 3rd wheels of the skate. It is roughly in the shape of an "H" and is curved, recessing into the wheelbed. The H-block is used on many grinds due to stability (it is located in the center of the foot), and is particularly useful on handrail grinds.

External links

Be-mag.com (http://www.be-mag.com/) offers an insiders look into the sport. The website included news, media, and discussions related to aggressive skating.

Toxboe.net (http://toxboe.net/Trickguide/frontpage) has in-depth explanations of many inline skating tricks.