Safety
Safe skating isn’t about being cautious — it’s about being prepared, so you can skate with confidence instead of fear.
Promoting safe skating has been part of IISA’s mission since 1991. These are the fundamentals every skater, at any level, should keep in mind.
Five ground rules
Gear up, every time
Helmet, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads — even for a short skate around the block.
Check your surface
Scan for gravel, cracks, wet patches, and debris before you commit to speed.
Skate within sight of others
Skating with a friend or a group means help is close if something goes wrong.
Know your stopping distance
Practice your brake on flat ground until it’s second nature, well before you need it on a slope.
Respect shared spaces
Yield to pedestrians, announce a pass, and follow any posted rules for the path or park.
Start on flat, traffic-free ground and build your braking and falling technique before heading onto hills, trails, or busy paths. See our Learning page for the fundamentals.
Skate smart.
Good habits now mean more years of skating later. Stay alert, stay geared up, and enjoy the ride.