It is one of the disciplines of the moment.
Since May 2020, rollerblading has been on the rise.
At the end of the first confinement, with the need for air and space, the largest tricolor brand had sold as many pairs in four days as usual in a month.
While the health restriction measures still prohibit indoor sports for at least a few weeks, the opportunity is great to put on your small wheels to get out of the age-old and sometimes boring jogging-bike combo.
“Anyone can rollerblade,” smiles Julien Cudot, 27, a professional freestyle roller skating athlete since the age of 13.
We almost all have a pair lying around.
It is the extension of walking.
For some it will be very easy, for others a little more complicated, but that's not why you won't want to continue.
Since last year, I've seen more and more people go rollerblading and it's pretty cool.
"
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This sliding tightrope walker teaches lessons within the Roller Squad Institute association on a reserved skatepark in the 14th arrondissement.
An outdoor area ... but covered with a large awning that allows sliding in all weathers without violating anti-Covid rules.
Next to the roller hockey field, children and adults can learn about the various modules.
"There is no better practice than the street to progress"
“If we are not too reckless, we have hiking, and if we have a more daredevil spirit, we have freestyle, continues Julien Cudot.
But, honestly, the figures aren't hard.
It's just that jumping on rollers is not necessarily natural.
Nikita, in any case, enjoys the exercise.
At 7 and a half, the little girl, who follows in daddy's footsteps, has already ... three years of experience.
“When I rollerblade, I am free!
She says, all smiles.
You also have to learn the codes.
In an open environment, there is no question of doing anything.
There is a know-how to ride, lines to be respected to avoid accidents on the ramps.
Smooth, paved, flat ground, obstacles ... the street is an excellent school for learning to master your rollerblades.
LP / Olivier Arandel
For the more seasoned, roller dance is the fashionable discipline.
"It is a practice which took off in the 1980s in the USA and which has been coming back for a year thanks to its presence in the parades," observes Rym Senoussi, rollerblading teacher.
Since September, we have tripled the number of students with a waiting list.
All our courses have been re-adapted to be outdoors.
The ground just needs to be smooth enough.
"
If the context requires it, the sessions can even take place ... in video.
"Those who have the space can put on shoes at home and the others can work on foot the balance, the sequences and then go and repeat them alone outside," continues the young woman.
Afterwards, whatever the specialty, there is no better practice than the street to progress.
The ground can be smooth, paved, flat, with reliefs, we must stop at pedestrian crossings using street furniture or by learning braking techniques ... It's the best school!
"
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So do not hesitate to get information from the many affiliated associations of Ile-de-France (map available on the site www.ffroller.fr), most of which are trying to find solutions to the crisis.
Only - big - constraint, even if some offer itineraries that follow the contours of the famous 10 km exit radius, the long hikes on Friday evening or Sunday, which are as much leisure as sport, will have to wait a little longer.
In public space, groups are in fact limited to six people.
“It takes away a little conviviality, sighs Patrick, 45, used to Sunday trips with a circle of friends.
We are not there only to slide, but above all to meet, share.
At the same time, we can still do a few while other sports have been at a standstill for months.
We're not going to complain ... "
