If you’re one of those with a flair for skating, strap on your wheels and rage down the road. As you roll past startled pedestrians, zigzagging your way through innumerable potholes, you’ll realise why road skating is a sport high on adrenaline. In fact, avid skaters claim, it is 10 times more exciting than rolling within the modest confines of a rink. Fresh challenges and sudden road variables make it a game of grit and physical co-ordination.

The best part of outdoor skating is that it sets you free, going well beyond a confined practice session. Says speed coach Ravi Dhillon, who trains skaters at Siri Fort in New Delhi, “Road skating can be incredible fun, provided you have mastered the basic techniques of the sport.” Dhillon who had once skated from Simla to Chandigarh along with a group of skating enthusiasts, often skates back home after taking classes at night. “It’s so refreshing to wheel your way through the pavements, whizzing past trees and buildings with the sky and stars as your companions,” he says.

True, the sport has a romantic edge but it is imperative to be aware of the potential hazards of road skating. One of the thumb rules is that you have to obey traffic laws. That’s but natural considering that when you’re zipping through heavy traffic, you are no less than a vehicle. So you can imagine the risks involved. The best way to reduce the risk factor is to wear your guards. One of the most important pieces of protective gear is your wrist guard. In case of a fall, 75 per cent of skaters inevitably thrust their body weight on their hands to avoid getting hurt. Naturally, the wrists take the entire pressure. In more than 30 per cent of injuries, it is the wrist or lower arm that is affected. You can avoid such injuries or at least lessen the impact by wearing wrist guards. Elbow and kneepads are equally important. Also, never forget your helmet ? even if your head feels sweaty. Though fewer than 10 per cent of skating injures are related to the head, the impact of head injuries can be life threatening.

Agrees Akash Mondal, Calcutta-based freestyle skater who occasionally makes time to guide skating buffs. “Skating is an individual sport. So it is you who has to ensure your own safety. When you’re on the road, it’s important to wear all your guards. In our country, we don’t have a separate track for skaters as they do in European countries.”

Focus and concentration are the two other key aspects of skating. A lot will keep happening around you. The challenge is to not get distracted and remain focused. Says 32-year-old Seema Paul, a passionate skater, who skates about 3,500 miles a year, “About three years ago, while skating in Delhi, I bumped into a lamp post. I was too distracted about something trivial. That could have been fatal.”

To avoid getting distracted, look 20 to 25 feet ahead and concentrate on what’s ahead of you. Do not pick up speed that you cannot handle. Avoid trails with a lot of loose gravel, dry leaves or stagnant water. Try and choose a trail that is smooth. Surface debris can often leave you off balance. Suggests 22-year-old Prayas Basu, a road skater, “Avoid potholes and do not skate through water, oil or sand. The wheels lose their grip on such surfaces.”

Also, you must be prepared for changes in the terrain or a clumsy pedestrian blocking your way suddenly. In such cases, stay relaxed. If you’re tensed up, your muscles and body co-ordination will be stiff. This will deter your natural body rhythm. If you’re relaxed, your reflexes will be better and you will not only be able to steer clear of surprise encounters but also feel more confident and enjoy the sport.

So, if you are literally one with wheels on your feet, why wait? Buck up and roll on.

need to know

• Do some stretches before starting out. This will help warm up your legs, hips and lower back.

• Make sure your wheels are free of dirt or grime. Check for wobbly ones that you can replace before you start out.

• Never compromise on your shoes. Make sure they provide adequate ankle support and you feel comfortable.

• It is advisable to carry a whistle or strap a honking horn around your waist to alert people around you.

• Never skate with headphones. Blurring out the surrounding noises on the road can leave you unprepared for a nasty accident.

• Make sure you hydrate regularly while skating in the heat.