With Black Friday and the holiday shopping season right around the corner, we want to ensure that you get the perfect gift for your son or daughter while also taking the guess work out of your shopping experience. If you’re considering buying roller skates as a holiday gift this year, here are some tips to help you out as begin to shop.

A note about speed skates: The name may be slightly deceiving, speed skates are not actually faster than traditional quad skates. They have wider wheels and a lower cut boot, giving them a very modern look. At Skate Station, this is our most popular type of skate as a first-time purchase. Our speed skates start at $75. This style is a great first-time skate!

Building custom Riedell 911’s

If you’re an avid online shopper, we know that Cyber Monday sales are extremely tempting, however, it is important that roller skates are purchased in person. Don’t worry, you don’t have to ruin the surprise for Christmas morning! Simply buy the style you think they will like the most and then bring them back after Christmas for the initial set up. Much like buying a bicycle, roller skates do not come assembled or tailored to fit. This requires set up and fitting.

When sporting goods stores carry roller skates, online or in stores, they do not come with any customer support when it comes to fitting, regular maintenance and assembly. At Skate Station, we are always here, even after the purchase. We’ll be here waiting for you for the initial and secondary set up. Once your skater has gotten on the rink, we’re here  to adjust the wheels, examine the boot if needed and ensure that the fit is perfect for the person’s foot. We believe the relationship at the pro-shop extends long after the sale.

Ready to start shopping? Stop by the pro-shop to check out our styles by Riedell, Vanilla Skates and Suregrip.

As we lose an hour of daylight, it’s just another reminder that Winter is on its way. During the cooler months, it’s important to stay fit in order to prevent getting sick and to fight off the winter time blues. Here are some reasons roller skating is a great addition to your winter-time workout routine.

• You don’t have to worry about the weather! No need to worry about being too cold to go on your jog or walk the dog, leave the forecast behind and bring your family for a night of skating.
• It’s a safe option to help kids get some exercise when it is too dark to go play outside.
• When getting sick is easy enough at school, there’s no need for there to be added risk by being outside when it’s too cold. 
• Make a new winter-time tradition out of roller skating! It’s great for everyone, not only are you getting a great workout, but you’re also spending time with your family. This can only add to the sentimental value of the holiday season!
• The health benefits are endless! Did you know that studies have shown that roller skating engages every muscle in your body? In addition, an hour of roller skating can be as effective as an hour of jogging! An hour of moderate-speed skating can burn around 300 calories per hour for a 140 pound person!

Are you ready to get started? Beat the winter blues before they hit, check our schedule regularly for skating sessions and special events!

So, you or someone you love is thinking about buying a pair of roller skates. It seems easy enough but how do you know which ones to choose? Here’s a quick rundown on the different options out there:

Inline Skates: Inline skates, or rollerblades, are skates where all four wheels are in a straight line as opposed to the the more traditional quad style with two in the front and two in the back. Inline skates are best suited for someone who would be skating outdoors as they perform the best on uneven surfaces. 

Quad Skates: Quad skates are the most popular and come in different styles. Traditional quad skates have a boot that laces all the way up and over the ankle. The boot itself is similar to the boot of an ice skate. Speed skates are cut lower to the ankle and have a similar shape to that of a cross-trainer or basketball shoe. They tend to be a bit more sleek but are not actually any faster than their traditional counterpart. It is not a good idea to skate outside in quad skates; the wheels are specifically designed to glide on an indoor rink floor, not the street.

Fit: The boot of your skates should be snug as the material will stretch and conform to fit your foot. If you are unsure about how your skates should fit, you should purchase them from a professional pro shop. At Skate Station we can help you make sure your skates fit and are assembled correctly.

It’s time to start thinking of gift ideas as the holidays are around the corner. For more information on purchasing roller skates, contact our pro shop today.

Did you know that our pro shop at Skate Station has a layaway program? That’s right! We want you to be able to get all of your holiday shopping done in a way that is affordable for you and creates a special experience for the lucky person who gets your gift.

So what is the program? You can purchase anything at our pro-shop and put it on layaway for 20 dollars per item. Our 90 day layaway program will allow you to have your gifts paid off in time for Christmas!

photo via freedigitalphotos.net

When you buy skates at Skate Station you are not just purchasing the skates, you are purchasing a custom experience. If you’re giving a pair of skates as a gift, the gift will be much more than the skates themselves. Our pros are here to help ensure that the fit is correct and that the wheels are properly aligned and installed. The boots of roller skates are flexible and will quickly mold to the shape of the foot. It’s important that they are properly cared for and assembled to ensure that they last as long as possible.

If the holidays come and they aren’t quite the right size or model, no problem. Unworn and unused merchandise can be exchanged.

We look forward to seeing you and fitting your brand new skates. Don’t delay on your holiday shopping, have your gifts paid off by Christmas! For more information about the inventory at our pro shop or our layaway program, please contact us here.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, now may be the time you start thinking about private events for your group or business. If you’re considering a private party for your company, why not plan a holiday event that is fun for everyone and maybe even their families? At Skate Station we’re committed to planning an event that will be the highlight of everyone’s holiday season.

Our private events aren’t just great for the holidays, they’re also suitable for any church group, doctor or dentist’s office staff, boys and girls clubs, or restaurant staff. Having your group event at Skate Station is a great way to create an engaging, team building atmosphere while also having fun!

Roller skating is an interactive and aerobic activity that promotes fun and socializing, which makes Skate Station the perfect venue for school functions. Need an incentive to get those grades up at your local school? We host Honor Roll events to recognize the students that have worked hard and deserve a special treat to celebrate their efforts. Skate Station is also a great spot for your next school field trip.

So what’s included? For $400 you get admission covered, private use of the rink, as well as a two hour skate rental for 100 people! Be sure to reach out to our staff about our catering menu, too. For more information about booking your group event, contact us here. Don’t delay, the sooner you book, the greater chance of getting your preferred time and date! We look forward to hearing from you!

Let’s face it, at Skate Station we love roller skating all year long. We don’t need a single month to appreciate how it promotes healthy activity with great friends, but we love to take the opportunity to highlight all of the great ways rollerskating can impact your life!

Getting scholarly: Did you know that if you are a relative of someone who is a member of the Roller Skating Association (RSA), you can qualify for a college scholarship? Not a relative, no problem! You can also get the scholarship by being an employee of a rink that is a member of the RSA. This is just one more reason to come to our auditions and work with us at Skate Station! As a member of the RSA, you could qualify as an employee.

Getting physical: Roller skating is good for you! Did you know that an hour of moderate speed skating can burn as many calories as jogging? There are multiple disciplines of roller skating, too! From figure skating to roller derby there is something out there for just about everyone. 

Fun Facts

• Did you know that roller skating was first invented by John Merlin in the early 18th century? He was not a great skater himself but he did first create the first pair of skates.
• James Plimpton is considered the “Father of Modern Roller Skating”. He invented the first quad-skate that modern skates are modeled after. He also opened the very first roller skating rink that would be open to the public, it was in the dining room of a luxury hotel.
• James Plimpton also developed the system for instructing roller skating.
• The 1970’s was when rollerskating made a huge leap in popularity along with the popularity of the roller disco. The artist that got his start in era is still  a mainstay in roller rinks today: it’s none other than Michael Jackson!

What’s your favorite thing about roller skating? We want to know what makes you want to get your roll on, let us know in the comments below!

At Skate Station, we’re committed to bringing you the best events in Sumter all year long. We don’t need a special occasion to have a good time, we make our own! We have events to cater to all interests, ages and families.

• This Friday, September 19th, is the ISpy Scavenger Hunt Skate! Be sure to be there with all of your friends and be ready to have an awesome time! Admission is $8 and we’ll be on the hunt from 7 to 11 pm!
• Saturday September 20th we’ll be having another Candy Scramble around 2:45. Admission is $6. What’s better than skating and free candy?
• Saturday September 26th is the Face Paint skate. Come with your favorite face on and be ready to roll. Admission is $8  and we’ll be skating from 7 to 11pm.

As we get ready to head into October we have a ton of events ahead. Like to get your schedule in advance? We’ll be on the lookout for our Pink Swing Lock In on October 3rd and a Balloon Drop on October 11th! There’s a free prize in every balloon!

For more information about our events, private events or birthday parties be sure to check our website regularly! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for even more updates and events at Skate Station! Have questions? We have answers! Please feel free to contact us here.

Every Sunday at Skate Station, we acknowledge the boys and girls who are out there volunteering and working to make a difference in their communities. Each Sunday, if scouts (both boys and girls) come to Skate Station in uniform they will receive $2 off regular admission!

If you’re interested in signing your son or daughter up for scouts, you can get started by looking for a troop in your immediate area. You check for troop listings on the individual websites:

Girl Scouts of America

Scout Day Sundays!

Boy Scouts of America

It’s not only a great opportunity for kids, it’s great for parents too. Both organizations have many opportunities for parents to get involved, volunteer and even help their kids on their projects and community service initiatives.

Not a scout? No problem! We have ongoing specials in addition to our events each week! For more information on what’s going on at Skate Station, check out our schedule here.

At Skate Station in Sumter, we want to thank these boys and girls for all of the hard work they do to help better our community. We’ll see you next Sunday!

Roller skating is an activity for kids of all ages. It takes a lot of courage and energy to get out on the rink and get moving. At Skate Station, we believe that the benefits are countless, here is a round up of a few benefits of roller skating for kids:

• Roller skating promotes confidence. Being on the rink and making small advancements towards a new trick or even just letting go of the skatemate can be a huge boost for a child’s self esteem.
• Roller skating gets kids off of the tech tools! With video games and smartphones in their hands, it’s tough to get them to be social in a face-to-face setting. They won’t even be thinking about their phones once they set foot on the rink.
• It’s physical! An hour of roller skating can burn as many calories as an hour of running. Not to mention the great music and companionship will have them having fun on the rink. It won’t ever feel like a workout, especially when we have our regularly scheduled events!
• Kids Skate Free! We accept the Kids Skate Free passes out our location during the preset scheduled times, just pay extra for your skate rental.

At Skate Station, we are committed to helping kids find their passion and gain confidence on their own two feet (plus skates, of course)!

For more information about roller skating sessions for kids in Sumter, check out our events page or contact us here.

With the start of September quickly approaching, it’s never too early to start thinking about your next school or organization fundraiser. Instead of spending countless hours planning a bake sale or silent auction, why not let us handle the details so you can focus running your organization? Here are some of the top reasons to have a fundraiser at Skate Station:

• It’s fun! Roller skating is a great activity that everyone can enjoy, which will help you meet and hopefully exceed your goals!
• It’s active! Get everyone rolling with a fun fitness event.
• It’s an activity for all ages. Kids and adults will have a blast getting out on the rink.
• It’s a family affair! Families can have fun spending time on the rink together.
• It’s worry free! If you hold a leadership position in a PTA or church group, you probably have enough on your plate, let us handle the details!
• Ask about our private parties! We can facilitate your group while also giving your organization the entire rink!

Hosting a roller skating fundraiser is a great way to raise money and make memories for years to come. Once you host one, you’ll never want to rely on another bake sale again! To get started on hosting a fundraiser or private event at Skate Station, please contact us here.