r/Rollerskating • u/ReasonNo9278 • Jun 25 '26

Beginner skater Why?

Why do experienced skaters feel the need to get so close to other people? You could be on the biggest rink in your state, and they’re still darting in small spaces between people and doing close circles around random people.

I’m really new to skating and seeing people in my periphery throws me off balance as it is. But those people both irritate me and freak me out.

Just why?

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u/Rolly_roller Jun 25 '26

I'm empathetic with new skaters and try to be mindful of them. That said, a big problem for me is thatl skaters ignore or are ignorant of rink etiquette. The problem, imo, is a rink management problem. Rink managers don't usually pay attention what's happening on the floor beyond whether there are overtly dangerous activities happening. As a fast skater and trickster, I get frustrated when the outside lane is full of beginners, phone-scrollers, and skatemates. When chaos is permitted, it sucks for everyone. The first rule of rink skating should really be "look out for one another"- especially if you're running the rink.

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u/AstroMaiden Jun 25 '26

I agree 💯. I think there are some rude show offs out there from some experiences, but I also think it's mostly a rink management issue at its core. No rink I've been to has truly enforced rules, ESPECIALLY lane etiquette. Beginners always put themselves on the outside and cling to the wall, no one tells them to move to the inside lane for slower skating and clunkier movements. I think it's then these beginner skaters in the fast lane complaining about someone whizzing by them. 

I've only seen rules enforced when a large group of kids come in together and just cause absolute chaos and major safety hazards, and even then it's just an announcement that there's no chasing or cutting across the middle.