Is Roller Skating A Sport?

When it comes to sports, certain activities come to mind: baseball, basketball, golf…You get the gist. Roller skating, though, doesn’t exactly come up in peoples’ dialogues when it comes to sports, even though it’s clearly an athletic activity. Some skaters, though, are adamant that it’s a sport all the same. But is it, really?

Let’s sit down and think about this for a moment. Is roller skating a sport? According to both the Olympic panel and the standard definition of a sport, roller skating can be considered to be a legitimate competitive sport.

Wondering how everyone came to this conclusion? To find out, it’s a good idea to take a look at the definition of a sport, how roller skating can play into it, and what the final verdict really is.

What Is A Sport?

To figure this key element out, we decided to hit the dictionary—Merriam Webster’s, to be precise. By definition, a sport is an activity that takes skill, has a physical element to it, and also involves competing against others as a form of entertainment.

This definition is what makes a sport a sport, rather than a physical activity. This is why hockey is considered a sport, but hula hooping isn’t. Makes sense, right?

Let’s take a look at how people enjoy roller skating. It’s pretty clear that roller skating is a physical activity that takes a certain level of skill. Anyone who has ever crashed into a wall at a roller rink will tell you that. But, is it really a competitive sport?

Most people don’t realize this, but there is such a thing as a competitive roller skater. There are competitions that judge skaters based on both speed and technique, with prizes being given to the top in their class.

So, roller skating can be considered a legitimate sport, but there’s a twist to this answer. Roller skating is only a sport in certain cases—cases where people are doing it as a form of competition.

How Do You Compete In Roller Skating?

Most roller skating enthusiasts love to coast around rinks on their skates, but it’s not a competitive thing for them. If you want to compete in roller skating, there are several different ways to do it:

Artistic Skating. This form of roller skating is all about doing graceful tricks as part of a skate-dance routine. Skaters are judged based on skill, elegance, and the overall choreography of their act.

Speed Skating. Though this is often associated with ice skating, it is also possible to do speed skating with roller skates.

Roller Derby. Some might argue that this is a separate sport all its own, but it’s hard to ignore that its primary pull is the fact that it’s people on roller skates, circling a rink.

Vert Skating. This is a newer form of competitive roller skating that blends classic roller tricks with the use of skateboarding terrains like halfpipes. If you’ve been yearning to see people performing wild tricks in a skateboard park, this might be a good choice for you.

When Is Roller Skating Not A Sport?

Unlike with other sports like baseball or hockey, there are a lot of times when roller skating isn’t a sport. The element of competition and structure is what makes roller skating a sport. Without that, it’s not actually a real sport.

Any time that you’re just skating around a rink to get rid of extra energy, or just using your skates as a way to get around town, it’s not being sporty. It’s just a physical activity that makes you feel great.

That being said, the lines can be pretty blurred. After all, who hasn’t challenged a friend to a skate race once in a while? If you occasionally compete as a roller skater in any capacity, then it’s safe to say you’re in the sports world.

Is Roller Skating An Olympic Sport?

If the standard definition of a sport wasn’t enough to convince you that it’s a sport, maybe an Olympic panel would be. Roller skating has been a part of the Pan American Games and the World Games for years.

In 2005, the Olympic panel added roller skating as one of four sports to be considered as part of a potential Olympic game category. That said, roller skating never made it to the Olympics as a competitive sport.

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, roller skating was on the verge of having its debut at the 2020 Olympics. However, those plans have been put on hold indefinitely and have yet to be confirmed for the 2024 Olympics.

How Likely Is It For Roller Skating To Become An Olympic Sport?

As of right now, it’s fairly likely that we’ll see roller skating on an Olympic lineup within our lifetimes. Several forms of roller skating, including artistic roller skating, have been on the Olympic council’s table for the better part of a decade.

With an extra push from fans of roller skating, it’s very likely that the sport will become more widely accepted in both the Olympic and non-Olympic sports settings. That being said, we can never know what will happen for sure.

How Do You Get Involved In Competitive Roller Skating?

This is the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Well, there’s some good news for people who want to elevate their love of skating to a competitive level. There are several ways to get involved in competitive skating. Here are some of the fastest ways to give it a try:

Go on social media and link up with competitive skaters in your area. The easiest way to find an “in” to roller skating sports near you is to harness the power of social media to do so. Simply ask them how you can get involved, and you should find your answer.

Take artistic roller skating lessons at your local rink. Many roller rinks are now offering up lessons that teach you the tricks used in competitive groups. In many cases, those classes can springboard you into sport circles.

Go to roller derbies. If you are a fan of in-person networking, it’s okay to go to roller derby games to ask others how they got involved. In many parts of the country, roller derby teams hold regular tryouts for new talent. Be forewarned, you will be expected to bring your own gear!

Try to enter an open-entry competition near you. Most roller rinks hold roller skate dance competitions at least once or twice a month. With these competitions, you don’t have to have a long-standing track record to enter. This can be a quick way to get a taste of the competitive side without too much investment.

Hit up skate parks. If you have been hoping to get into vert skating, then your best bet is to go to local skate parks to practice. In many cases, you’ll find other vert skaters who are willing to help you get into competitive groups.

What Is Required Of People Who Want To Partake In Competitive Roller Sports?

Believe it or not, there aren’t many requirements that are held across the board when it comes to entering the competitive roller skating scene. Many roller skating forms can be done as a solo activity as well as a group activity. That said, most groups will ask you to have the following things ready:

Protective Gear. Helmets and knee pads are a bare minimum regardless of what kind of skating you want to do. It’s a matter of safety and injury prevention. With roller derbies, you also will be required to wear wrist guards as a result of the potential of falling forward.

Proper Age. Most competitive skate groups have specific age groups that they cater to. It’s best to ask what the age group is before you try to join.

The Correct Type of Skates. Trying to skate with the wrong type of skates for the event can limit what you do in the rink, and also lead to injury. As a result, most competitive skate groups have requirements that deal with the type of skates you use. If you’re unsure of what the requirements are, ask first.

General Knowledge of the Sport. While this isn’t always a requirement, most people will expect you to know how the sport is played before you join a team. At the very least, you should know how to roller skate.

Conclusion

Roller skating might not be what people immediately think of when they discuss sports, but it definitely deserves recognition as having the potential to be a classic sport. While many people don’t skate competitively, it’s impossible to ignore the sheer number of ways people have turned roller skating into a structured, organized, competitive sport.

As of right now, roller skating holds a fair chance at becoming an Olympic sport, which only stands as a testament to skating’s legitimacy. If you want to become a part of the sports scene, then there are plenty of ways to do it. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some skates and join in the fun!