Stroller-skating Part 1

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Stroller-skating:

Reckless Endangerment or Good Clean Fun?

by Chris Howley

Once upon a time, there was a little girl and a little boy who, along with their Daddy would get up very early in the morning, suit up, strap in and head out in their Burley stroller on great adventures in stroller-skating on the magic bike path...

This is how my children and I usually start a good 12 mile skate from our house to our favorite coffee shop and back. We never quite know who we'll encounter that day on the magic bike path - Wiley Red Fox, Happy Magic Dragon, Pesky Cat, or countless other gregarious creatures looking for mirth and merriment, but we do know that at the end of each skate, there will be a fantastic tale told.

Like the time we had just left our friend Happy Squirrel and were rounding a blind corner to come head-on with a group of pedestrians, a word which when used here is not necessarily the best choice and would be in fact a misnomer because of the implication that these good but hapless folks were *moving* and not just stopped in the middle of the entire path just shooting the breeze completely oblivious to the fact that they were standing in a high traffic blind curve...

Yep, true story. No one was hurt, but it brings me to my point: a lot of people think stroller-skating is a bad idea. After all, it's an activity that involves high rates of speed and children. Stroller-skating for me and my family is a heck of a lot of fun and has given us many hours of laughter, outdoor enjoyment and memories for a lifetime, plus it has helped me shed pounds and strengthened the bond between us. But is this activity right for you and your brood? These are my thoughts on the subject...

(By the way, Inline Fitness magazine and Inline Media, LLC assume no responsibility for your actions as a result of reading this article. For those more litigious-minded readers, please see our general disclaimer for more reasons why you shouldn't waste anyone's time with a frivolous lawsuit.)

First, are your skills up to speed? Inline skating is an inherently dangerous sport with or without a stroller. You're on wheels, you're on pavement or concrete, you're wearing (or know you SHOULD BE wearing) a helmet, wrist, knee and elbow pads. You're involved in an activity in which even the most experienced enthusiast can get hurt quickly and quite unexpectedly. We're going to assume that you're applying your good parent filter and would NEVER get behind a stroller on your skates unless you were 100% confident in your ability to skate, and most importantly, STOP.

Second, as with most activities involving young children, The Plan is fundamental to any great stroller-skating outing. Everything--from the equipment, the route, the amount of time we're going to be out, the weather, the clothing, the diaper bag...to the snacks, the drinks, the sunscreen and the entertainment--is given the boy-scout motto treatment. My wallet and fully charged cell phone are safely stowed in one of the dozen or so pockets in my shorts. We cover all of the bases before we head out.

Obviously the most important piece of equipment to consider, other than your own skating gear, is the stroller. When considering a stroller, there are several key factors you should be aware of. Look at the type of restraint system the stroller employs. The most secure systems will have a combination full upper-torso harness as well as a shoulder strap and lap belt that secures around the waist and through the legs.

Of equal importance is the amount of clearance between the frame, the ground and your child's body in the standard upright position and in various states of upheaval. Where is your kid's head, feet, hands, etc. relative to the frame and ground when the stroller is upside down, on either side and on end. In short, there should be no chance that you child will have any body part pinned or pinched in any parts of the frame or come in contact with the ground in any position. This typically requires a stroller that has a deep seating area, a soft shell, and is low to the ground.

Consider the steering and breaking capabilities of the stroller. Consider that you could reach speeds in excess of 15mph or more, need to make quick turns to avoid trail hazards and that you'll go faster than usual on downhill stretches being dragged behind a stroller. Maneuverability and stability are key. Fixed front wheel joggers have not been useful in my experience unless the trail is strictly a long, straight stretch.

Of course, the most important element to the little people in the stroller will be comfort. Is there plenty of leg-room? Is there enough room for them to wear a helmet comfortably (without having their chins planted in their chests for the entire ride). Is there enough room to bring their important stuff--a sippy cup, a snack, a favorite stuffed animal or blanket? Is there a screen to keep the bugs and other debris from taking an eye out? Is there a shield to keep the sun at bay or block the cold when needed? Consider that it's going to be hotter for them in the sun and cooler and windier when they're being propelled down a stretch of trail in front of you on your skates.

PART II Coming Soon - The Inevitable Crash & Recovery
 

Link of the Week

Inline skating can be fun, or it can be dangerous. For those of us that are balanced-challenged, there looms the lingering likelihood of falling flat on our fannies. Read more about the Patently Absurd ROLLER CANE!

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