Speed Skating is one of a dozen roller sports learned and trained the world over—Louisiana included. Whether you're a complete beginner, you already know your heart is set on speed skating, or perhaps you're somewhere in between, Roller Louisiane offers two speed-centric classes/practices each week, both of which are led and managed by our speed coach, Jenna Guidry. Class students and athletes share the floor, learning and growing together. Wednesdays & Saturdays Both classes take place from 6:00-7:30 PM and are held at our host facility—Fun Nation—located at 4518 West Congress Street in Lafayette. Contact Questions? Reach out to Jenna Guidry directly by phone or email: • 318-605-1334 • jenna@jnbresources.com Want more clips? Visit our classes page. Get Directions About Learn more about speed skating from our governing body, World Skate:

◁ Athletics ProGuide Requirements for Cadets & MAs Start Here Our ProGuides are prepared by our club's roller sports professionals—coaches, apprentices, and consultants—and all ProGuides public resources—meaning, they can be accessed and shared by anyone. This ProGuide is no exception, of course, and its content is especially crucial for anyone in our Classes program and/or Athletics program. Please read this ProGuide in its entirety before committing as a Cadet/MA. Content In this ProGuide, we'll cover the Audiences to whom this ProGuide applies, introduce and detail both types of requirements—Training Requirements and Onboarding Requirements—and finally, we'll regroup and confirm all requirements that apply specifically to Cadets and Membre-Athlètes (MAs). ProTips Give this ProGuide a "Like" to save it your Faves (Favorites). When/if updates are made to a ProGuide, the ProGuide's Author will create a comment below and all fans (anyone who likes a ProGuide) will receive a notification via email and/or push notification to their mobile device via our mobile app (free, "Spaces by Wix"). The ProGuide's comments section (below) is also ideal for any comments, questions, ideas, and feedback you'd like to share about a ProGuide. You can manage all of your notification preferences on your My Account • Settings page. Audiences This ProGuide covers all requirements associated with Cadets (C3-Level Students) and Membre-Athlètes (MA-1, MA-2, MA-3). However, this ProGuide is equally referenced by more than just those to whom the requirements apply. Use the following expandable subsections to learn more: Gallery 1 • Audiences Types In this ProGuide, you will learn about both types of requirements: Training and Onboarding. 1 • Training Requirements A career in Roller Sports requires commitment, effort, and an open mind because your success depends on your ability to adapt to cumulative, collaborative, and ongoing learning. Therefore, the first type of requirements for both Cadets and MAs are Training Requirements or elements (aka skills) that each student and each MA must learn, train, and be ready to demonstrate at any time. For parents with younger Cadets/MAs, reference Gallery 2 below to help your child excel at their level. 2 • Onboarding Requirements The second type of requirements is our club's Onboarding Requirements, which keep the C3 and MA "current" or in compliance with our national federation's requirements (USA Roller Sports) and those of our sport/club. We'll detail all Onboarding Requirements below for both Cadets and MAs. Without further ado, let's dive in—starting with Training Requirements: Gallery 2 • Training Requirements Cadets C3-Level Students Cadets need tools to learn and demonstrate all Training Requirements (16 elements at the C3 level). The tools each Cadet needs are identified in our Cadet Onboarding Requirements (4). For this reason, the sooner a Cadet can tackle their Onboarding Requirements, the sooner the Cadet can meet all requirements. Explore Click on the images in Gallery 3 for a summary of all Training Requirements (Image 1 of 5) and all subsequent images for all Cadet-level Onboarding Requirements. Then, use the collapsible subsections below Gallery 3 to learn more and access helpful links. Then, use the collapsible subsections below to learn more about each and access helpful links. Gallery 3 • All Cadet Requirements Subsection • All Cadet Requirements Athletes All Membre-Athlètes (MAs) These requirements apply equally to all MAs. As an overview, your yearly requirements (USARS) range between $50-$90 per MA. When you consider your monthly requirements—MA Membership and MA Instructional Plans—your monthly costs will range from $200 to $300, unless you choose the "0x Weekly" Plan, which is our least recommended, because MAs need regular instruction (group lessons) to learn, test, and demonstrate their training requirements and overall goals. Explore You can learn more about all MA Training Requirements (Circle Figures and Free Skating) by clicking to expand/download each image in Gallery 4. Then, continue on to each MA Onboarding Requirement in the expandable subsections below. Gallery 4 • Training Requirements Subsections • Onboarding Requirements Comments? Please use the comment section below to share your questions,

ProGuide MA Membership & MA Instructional Plans About MA Membership and MA Instructional Plans are two of only a handful of requirements that apply to all Membre-Athlètes (MAs) of Roller Louisiane who are specializing in artistic skating. For a refresher of all requirements, use our ProGuide on Class & Athletics Requirements. Note for Students Class students at all three levels—C1, C2, C3—do not need to enroll in our Membership or Plans until the student (Cadet) graduates at the C3 level. When a Cadet graduates, they become an MA-1. Membership and Plans only apply to MAs (athletes) and apply equally to all MAs at all three levels: MA-1, MA-2, and MA-3. Plan & Payment Management Click the arrow on following foldable subsection to learn more about managing your plans and payment information. Terms & Conditions 1 • Membership MA Membership or simply Membership is a requirement because it is the MA's monthly club dues. Enroll your MA or use the following foldable subsections to learn more. Perks Use the following reference image and gallery to learn more about Membership perks. REFERENCE IMAGE (MA MEMBERSHIP) GALLERY (MA MEMBERSHIP) INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS (4) Terms & Conditions 2 • Plans MA Instructional Plans or simply Plans are a requirement because they are how the MA receives on-skate instruction. Enroll an MA in an Instructional Plan or use the following foldable subsections to learn more. 4x Weekly This Plan allows the MA to take 1 group lesson in circle figures, 1 group lesson in free skating, and 2 group lessons in the discipline(s) of their choice each week, totaling up to 4 group lessons each week (4x). Audiences The 4x Weekly Instructional Plan (this) is designed for any and all MAs. For anyone who does not have a partner (majority of athletes), this package can be used on any given week to attend 1 group lesson in figures and 1 group lesson in free skating on Saturdays, as well as 1 group lesson in figures and 1 group lesson in free skating on Mondays. For MAs who are pairs skaters, this plan is 1 of 2 options (compare with the 3x Weekly Plan), whereby each MA in the pair still take figures and free skating but have additional group lessons for pairs. Each MA in the pair is required to choose either the 3x or 4x Weekly Plan options. Private Lessons MAs who enroll in this plan should consult with the head coach prior to purchasing a private lesson. Like group lessons, private lessons enjoy special pricing ($20/MA). Unlike group lessons, private lessons are subject to availability and generally used, although not limited to, planning free skating programs (choreography and layout). 3x Weekly This Plan allows the MA to take 1 group lesson in circle figures, 1 group lesson in free skating, and 1 group lessons in the discipline of their choice each week, totaling up to 3 group lessons each week (3x). Audiences The 3x Weekly Instructional Plan (this) is designed for any and all MAs. For anyone who does not have a partner (majority of athletes), this package can be used on any given week to attend 1 group lesson in figures and 1 group lesson in free skating, as well have 1 group lesson in the discipline of their choice. For MAs who are pairs skaters, this plan is 1 of 2 options (compare with the 4x Weekly Plan), whereby each MA in the pair still take figures and free skating but have 1 additional group lesson each week for pairs. Each MA in the pair is required to choose either the 3x (this) or 4x Weekly Plan options. Private Lessons MAs who enroll in this plan should consult with the head coach prior to purchasing a private lesson. Like group lessons, private lessons enjoy special pricing ($20/MA). Unlike group lessons, private lessons are subject to availability and generally used, although not limited to, planning free skating programs (choreography and layout). 2x Weekly This Plan allows the MA to take 1 group lesson in circle figures and 1 group lesson in free skating each week, totaling up to 2 group lessons each week (2x). Audiences The 2x Weekly Instructional Plan (this) is designed for any and all MAs—with the exception of anyone is a pairs skater. For anyone who does not have a partner (majority of athletes), this package can be used on any given week to attend 1 group lesson in figures and 1 group lesson in free skating. For MAs who do have partners (pairs) please see the 3x Weekly and 4x Weekly Plans above. Private Lessons MAs who enroll in this plan should consult with the head coach prior to purchasing a private lesson. Like group lessons, private lessons enjoy special pricing ($20/MA). Unlike group lessons, private lessons are subject to availability and generally used, although not limited to, planning free skating programs (choreography and layout). 0x • PAYG Although it is the least advised of the four Plans, the 0x Weekly Plan option is available and is Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), making this Plan ideal for anyone who prefers full control of when the MA takes instruction (group lessons). This Plan is priced at $0/month because it does not include any instruction (group lessons) or private lessons. Audiences The 0x Weekly Instructional Plan (this) is designed for any and all MAs—with the exception of anyone is a pairs skater. For MAs who do have partners (pairs) please see the 3x Weekly and 4x Weekly Plans above. Group Lessons MAs who enroll in this plan pay more for each group lesson ($20/MA). You can check for a group lesson prior to arrival at the facility by choosing a PAYG option from our Athletics page: RollerLouisiane.com/athletics Private Lessons MAs who enroll in this plan should consult with the head coach prior to purchasing a private lesson. Like group lessons, private lessons under this option do not enjoy special pricing ($25/MA). Unlike group lessons, private lessons are subject to availability and generally used, although not limited to, planning free skating programs (choreography and layout). Without consistent instruction, private lessons are likely not needed.

◁ Classes ProGuide Classes by Roller Louisiane Team USA at Fun Nation in Lafayette, LA Helpful Links • Main & Check-In: RollerLouisiane.com/classes • ProGuide (this): RollerLouisiane.com/proguide/classes • Terms: Click Here • Groupe page: RollerLouisiane.com/groupe/classes About Classes are offered on Saturday mornings (10:05-11:00 AM) and on Monday evenings (6:00-7:00 PM) at Fun Nation in Lafayette, Louisiana. No equipment is needed, rentals come with the cost of classes ($15/Student), which is paid online through your account. You must sign in/up (create an account) on our site to accept the terms, conditions, and waivers needed for class for yourself and any dependents who may be participating. Fun Nation is located at 4518 West Congress Street, Lafayette, LA 70506. Ages One of the hallmarks of roller sports is that we are not ageists. In fact, more than half of our country's athletes are adult athletes—whether as first time or returning athletes. Our classes honor this tradition of openness because we know the potential of each lies in the decisions each student makes. Vouloir, c'est pouvoir (to want to, is being able to). Classes are open to, and usually comprised of, students of all ages—from youth and university students, to adults and parents, as well as locals and visitors. In our experience (35+ years), classes are best for students ages 5 years and up and if directed by an apprentice or coach, parental guidance (walking along the carpeted edge) may be required. Apprentices Our classes are led by both our apprentice, Annie Mahoney, and head coach, Brian Clary. Anne "Annie" Mahoney, is a former student of our class program, a native of Bâton-Rouge, and a current competitive member athlete ("MA") representing our club, Roller Louisiane, and USA Roller Sports, our national governing body of roller sports in the USA. Annie is also a curator at Louisiana's Capitol Park Museum who designs, manages, and promotes exhibits of immense cultural and educational contributions to Louisiana. We are honored to have Annie as a member of our club's leadership and athletics. Attendance Students may choose to attend each week or à la carte (according to your schedule). When you arrive, enter the facility and proceed to the back and meet us floor-side. Early birds are welcome, especially if you need to rent skates. Check-In Students are required to check in and pay for class online prior to arrival or upon arrival using their own personal mobile device. Cash is not accepted. Click the image below to return to our Classes page and check in. Coaches It is my honor to serve as head coach of Roller Louisiane's programs in Lafayette. When I came up in skating, I learned, trained, and competed in all disciplines of artistic skating—figures, loops, solo dance, team dance, free dance, free skating (singles), and pairs—for the sole purpose of being the best pairs skater I could be. In 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, I was selected and honored to participate as an athlete with USA Roller Sports at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2003, I represented the USA in pairs (clip below) for Team USA at the World Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I ranked 6th in the world. Skating opened the world to me and taught me more than a single blog post could ever cover and it is why I returned to the sport in 2021 to start Louisiana's only club (for now). MY LANGUAGES • français (native, fluent) • English (native, fluent) • Español (advanced) • Deutsch (advanced) • Italiano (advanced) • Português (intermediate) We are supported by my dear friend, Siobhán Jordan (images), of Dallas, Texas, who is a registered coach of our club with USA Roller Sports who visits us quarterly to help with our classes and athletics development as well as support us as we compete in her specializations: figures, loops, and dance. Curriculum My experiences at the Olympic Training Center ("OTC") greatly informed the athlete I became and the coach I am today. Our classes follow the same logic in increments, allowing for Students of the general public and future athletes to layer their learning and achieve the goals most relevant to each student. It is a marriage between the values I learned growing up with the progressive approaches needed for innovation over the decades. We introduce, layer, and build upon elements that we group into three categories: C1, C2, and C3. C1 All C1-level elements lay the foundation of roller skating in a rink—meaning, C1 elements cover rink etiquette, floor etiquette, care and maintenance of equipment, and of course: skating—starting, stopping, and all forward-skating elements, in both sinistral (aka "all-skate") and dextral (aka "reverse") floor flows. Image: C1 Elements C2 All C2-level elements cover transitions (forward to backward) and matches all C1 elements (forward) with their backward-skating equivalent. Upon successfully demonstrating C1 and C2 elements, the student/family may opt to graduate or decide to continue with Roller Louisiane as cadets (C3) in roller sports. Image: C2 Elements C3 Cadets are Students who have successfully demonstrated all C1 and C2 levels and opted to continue learning advanced roller skating elements designed for a future in roller sports. The C3 phase allows Students to continue learning while preparing for their first year (MA-1) in artistic (roller figure skating) with our club, and C3 allows Students to tackle all Athletics Requirements prior to graduating and joining our club, as an official member of Roller Louisiane and USA Roller Sports. During graduation, C3 students wear their athletics uniforms and new equipment (skates) or equipment approved by the head coach. Image: C3 Elements Equipment Roller skates (quads) are provided for each class if you do not already have equipment and in some cases are required if your existing equipment is deemed limiting by the head coach. Inlines are not recommended or allowed for our classes due to their limitations. However, see sports below for alternatives if you're a die-hard inline skater. Facility Our host facility, Fun Nation, formerly known as Skate Zone, has served Lafayette, Louisiana, and surrounding parishes for more than 60 years. We are proud to carry on such an institution's legacy and make roller sports accessible for our next 100 years (2024 being our centennial) on behalf of Louisiana's locals and visitors. Governance Our classes program is designed by Roller Louisiane's head coach. Our classes and athletics programs are governed by the national governing body or National Federation (NF) of roller sports in the US: USA Roller Sports. All membre-athlètes (MAs) of our club, whether artistic or speed, are recognized as official athletes in the Olympic Movement, regardless of age, by USA Roller Sports, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), World Skate, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Sports Roller Louisiane is an official roller sports club registered and insured with USA Roller Sports and recognized as such by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and specializes in two roller sports through which each athlete can register for testing and competition at the local, national, international, and Olympic level: Artistic (aka roller figure skating) and Speed Skating. For both sports, you can use our classes program to learn, build, and prepare for a career in roller sports. Artistic Artistic is the global and historic term for roller figure skating, which is more and more used at the national level by USA Roller Sports. Artistic skating is one of twelve roller sports at the global level governed by World Skate—the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Artistic is comprised of the most roller disciplines, from figures and loops to solo and team dance to singles and pairs, as well as precision, small show and large show groups. Learn more via the video below. Vitesse Speed Skating Open to all levels, die-hards on inlines, and designed for those specifically interested in Speed Skating—you should consider Roller Louisiane Vitesse, our speed skating division, led by #teamUSA member and OTC athlete, Jenna Guidry, a native of Lafayette, whose classes and practices are held on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 PM and on Saturday evenings 6:00-7:30 PM. Please contact Jenna directly for more information: • Phone: 318 605 1334 • Email: jenna@jnbresource.com Explore

Matthew Heilig • #teamUSA - Team Kate's in Gastonia, NC (Nekoe Buckner) Jumping and leaping this spring 2024... Sure, leap years are special, but do you know why we refer to 2024 as a leap year? In a common year, if your birthday were to occur on a Monday, for example, the following year it should occur on a Tuesday. However, some years are leap years—meaning, we must add an extra day (such as today!) during a leap year, making your your birthday leap over one day. Instead of your birthday occurring on a Tuesday as it would following a common year, during a leap year, your birthday “leaps” over Tuesday and will now occur on a Wednesday. Are anglophones (English speakers) the only language group that refer to this as a leap year? Unsurprisingly, language descendants of Latin (romance languages) such as French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, reference the Latin phrase for (approximately) “Second sixth day before the First of March,” since Leap Day was originally between February 23 and 24. • FR: une année bissextile (f.) • EN: a leap year • ES: un año bisiesto (m.) • DE: ein Schaltjahr (n.) • ES: un año bisiesto (m.) • PT: um ano bissexto (m.) What's leap year in your language?

A review of my (Competing Member Athlete) Obbligatorio Complete Skate Package. My Complete Skate Package includes the Risport Electra Bianca boot mounted to a Spin frame with the Azzurro elastomer cushions (Partial Skate Pairing/PSP) and 63MM 53D Giotto Obbligatorio wheels with 7MM Speed Max bearings (Combo Obbligatorio). The soft, comfortable lining in the boot helps as I adjust to the stiffness of the boot, which is a 45 compared to my freestyle boot,* which is a 35. Giotto figure wheels are a dream: I've tried them on my freestyle boot before and it makes all the difference in figure skating to have the right hardness and wheel size (compared to wearing freestyle wheels while skating figure circles). I typically skate in a rink with a wood floor, so I use the 53D hardness wheels for medium surfaces (not slippery and not rough). All of the parts are sturdy and high quality, I look forward to this next part of my development as an athlete! Continue reading to learn more about Obbligatorio discipline and equipment/solutions: ProGuide for Understanding Obbligatorio Tech, Components, and Complete Skates Proguide on Bearings and Wheels Roller Louisiane Guide to Figures What are Figure Circles? *Note: I purchased my Obbligatorio skates after using my Libero/freestyle skates for 10 months. I waited due to finances, but I recommend buying the correct skates for your selected discipline as soon as you can. There are skills that translate between Libero and Obbligatorio, such as 3-turns or and skating backwards, but the execution of those moves is different for each discipline and is effected by your equipment. While practicing figures in my freestyle boot has made me a better freestyle skater, I now have to put in extra practice time to adjust to the new boot to stay on the line and execute one-footed turns.

Once you've purchased any garment(s) from our ProShop, use this How-To ProGuide for help with determining and providing your measurements. Before you get started, please review both steps described below. STEP 1 Measure & Notate We'll start with lengths first, then circumferences. Some measurements may not be needed for your garment, but they may prove helpful for Nekoe. Please provide all 14 measurements shown and described in the gallery below (M1-M!4). STEP 2 Create a post on Filo Make It Easy on Yourself! Once you’ve noted each measurement, check out the ProTips below. Then, share the athlete's measurements by creating a post on Filo using the ProShop category. ProTips Your post will be vetted and shared with Nekoe, who may respond to your post with a comment if she has any questions. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to use our Filo's ProShop category to create a post or include your questions when you provide your measurements. Alternatives You can always jot the measurements (M1-M14) down on your own spare sheet of paper or simply type them out as text when creating your post on Filo. Alternatively, you can print this one-sheeter and notate each measurement (in centimeters!) as you go along. Either way, you can snap a photo of your notes and upload the image when creating your post. Just in case you prefer a print-friendly version over this ProGuide, we've got you covered with this PDF in our File Libary—and, yes, it also includes the one-sheeter (see page 3 of 17). REQUIREMENTS My fellow Americans (and anyone using the imperial system): Please make all notes on measurements using the metric system only, using centimeters (CM). The abbreviation CM is already provided for you on the aforementioned one-sheeter. About Nekoe Nekoe Buckner is a world-class seamstress and coach of her own club #TeamKates based in Gastonia, North Carolina. I grew up with Nekoe as a dear friend of my coaches and her work has preceded her for all three decades I've been around because it speaks for itself. Nekoe creates couture (made-to-measure) handmade pieces for athletes at every level of their journey and at each step along the way: From training and testing to club uniforms and one-of-a-kind competition pieces for all disciplines—in both roller and ice alike. It is my honor and privilege to work with her and make her work accessible to my skaters and anyone who purchases garments from our ProShop. We look forward to working with you and your students/athletes.

Terms & Policies Terms of Use and E-Commerce Policies Classes, Club, and ProShop Use this ProGuide, alongside our standard Terms and Conditions, for terms and conditions specific to E-Commerce you may choose to undertake when using our ProShop, Classes, and Club. Just by using this site, all Users (you) accept and agree to both our standard Terms and Conditions (Bullet 1), as well as this ProGuide (Bullet 2), both of which reference one another mutually and can be found anytime via the following URLs. • RollerLouisiane.com/terms • RollerLouisiane.com/proguide/terms ProShop RollerLouisiane.com/shop Roller Louisiane's ProShop ("We") offers a wide array of products and services. In this section, we'll cover general terms, conditions, and policies with regard to E-Commerce in our ProShop. Then, if any exceptions apply, we'll provide the terms for each exception and explain what each exception is about. General Terms & Conditions Sign Up/In Whenever a User conducts E-Commerce with Roller Louisiane, such as but not limited to purchasing products/services from our ProShop, paying for classes (e-Tickets) or paying for Club Membership, enrolling in a course, leaving a comment on a ProGuide, creating a post on Filo, the User agrees to sign up (create an account) or sign in (log in). Shipping The User (you) assumes all responsibility for the accuracy of information provided as billing and shipping addresses. Unless otherwise confirmed in writing by Roller Louisiane, the User assumes all responsibility for costs incurred for returns (sending) and exchanges (sending and receiving). The User agrees that additional shipping charges may be incurred for long-distance (outside the continental US) and when shipping to international destinations. To protect the privacy of all Users, including individuals not using our website, the User agrees to use Roller Louisiane's chat (private) to request quotes and communicate private/confidential information related to shipping addresses. User agrees to pay for shipping separately via email using our secure payment/invoice system. Metric System Whenever prompted by the website or its staff, the user agrees to provide accurate information about the skater/athlete when placing an order, using the metric system and the metric system only. Examples include but are not limited to kilograms (KG) for body weight reference (cushions) and millimeters (MM) for tracings and measurements (boots, frames). User accepts and agrees to the use of the metric system as a standard reference and practice in our industry and if needed, the User agrees to convert any measurements to the metric system before providing input on forms, checkout, when emailing, in writing through correspondence via chat, Filo, or in comments section of Filo, ProGuides, and the comments section of ProGuides. Tracings & Measurements For the fulfillment of orders containing boots, whether purchased separately or as a Complete Skate Package (CSP), the User agrees to provide images—scans or photos—of each foot's tracing (2) electronically via Roller Louisiane's Filo (ProShop, see #1 below) by creating a post (#2) and uploading the scans/photos of the skater/athlete's tracings (at least 2) in the post itself. The User agrees to write the measurements clearly on the tracing itself or provide the measurements in the body (text) electronically for reference using the metric system (MM). User assumes responsibility for any and all delays—including failures—related to relaying tracings and measurements. • #1: RollerLouisiane.com/filo/proshop-help • #2: RollerLouisiane.com/filo/proshop-help/create-post Returns & Exchanges We will gladly accept the return of unused products that are defective due to manufacturing mistakes and/or workmanship. Fulfillment mistakes that may be made which result in the shipment of incorrect products to you will also be accepted for return. Use the following subsections to learn more about terms and conditions related to each component. Any User's failure to adhere to these terms and provide all materials may delay or cancel eligibility for returns, exchanges, and refunds. Exceptions If any of the following components listed in any of the subsections below is/are part of a Solution, such as a Partial Skate Pairing (PSP), Combo (Bearings-in-Wheels), or Complete Skate Package (CSP), neither the Solution as a whole, nor any Component thereof, is eligible for returns, exchanges, and refunds. Classes RollerLouisiane.com/classes By participating in this program and/or purchasing e-tickets to this program, the User (and any affiliated minors) agree to the following terms and conditions. Roller Louisiane's head coach, Brian Clary, reserves the right to deny service and discontinue service to anyone of any age for any reason and at any time. We Club RollerLouisiane.com/club By invitation only; Club hours are valid only for Membre-Athlètes ("MAs") of Roller Louisiane and visiting athletes/coaches of other clubs and national federations. When participating in this Program, its Services, and/or purchasing e-tickets to this program, the User (and any affiliated minors) agree to the following terms and conditions. Roller Louisiane's head coach, Brian Clary, reserves the right to deny, suspend, or end this participation related to this Program and any of its Services to anyone of any age for any reason and at any time. Program Requirements Please use the following expandable sections to learn more and get links to each requirement. Questions Chat & Filo ProShop We understand things can be a little complicated if you have some existing components (such as frames) but not all components (such as a new boot). Feel free to contact us on chat to share your needs and be advised accordingly to make sure your order is exactly what you need. We can even put the order together for you and bill you online via an invoice to allow you to pay securely and privately. Chat Chat allows you to share and work with us privately and confidentially. It's always an option. For safety and privacy reasons, you should use chat when sharing addresses (shipping updates, shipping long distances, or internationally). Filo / ProShop For general questions about your plans and needs, whether you're starting from scratch or starting somewhere along the way, you can also use Filo by creating a post using the ProShop category. Other site members (and our team) can see and reference your inquiry and our team can comment to provide an answer—exactly like you would interact when using social media.

ProGuide Understanding Tech, Components, and Complete Skates designed for training, testing, and competing in circle figures and loop figures Use this ProGuide to get a play-by-play of all components—boots, frames, wheels, bearings, cushions—used for this discipline and get options like Combos and Complete Skate Packages with other references and helpful resources along the way. When compared to other disciplines, the tech we use for Obbligatorio, or figures and loops, is distinct. When determining boots, coach standards—generally speaking—require athletes to use products with higher rigidity for added support—even for beginner athletes—so Year One athletes immediately notice and respond with a resounding: They're so stiff! Indeed, they are—and, it's intentional. Frames, or "plates," are made solely for the use of figures and loops—so, no toe stops. Giotto Obbligatorio wheels are larger (63 MM) than dance wheels (Ice, 61 MM) and you notice an even greater difference when using freestyle wheels, which range from 55-57 MM. Components & Manufacturers Tech by Risport® Boots & Accessories Generally speaking, you'll want to start with stiffer boots as soon as possible. In my professional opinion, Risport is the most versatile boot we can utilize for this journey without needing a custom boot. When exploring your boot options, we suggest starting with the following considerations. 1. Stiffness: 25 - 65 Have you ever noticed that we use a name and number when referring to boots? This number indicated rigidity on a scale of 25 to 65, with the lower numbers indicating softer boots and boots with higher numbers indicating more rigidity, support, and advanced technology. 2. Colors & Sizes Electra (45) is the softer of the two options and comes in bianco (white) or nero (black). In bianco, Electra is available in sizes ranging from 180 to 290. In nero, Electra is available in sizes ranging from 210 to 305. RF3 Pro (60) is the more supportive of the two options and also comes in bianco and nero. In bianco, RF3 Pro is available in sizes ranging from 200 to 280. In nero, RF3 Pro is available in sizes ranging from 230 to 305. 3. Tackle Your Tracings To determine your boot size, you'll need to do your tracings and use this ProGuide to calculate your boot size. Tech by Roll-Line® Frames, Wheels, Bearings, Cushions, Tools After you've chosen your boot and tackled your tracings to determine your boot size, you can explore your components to complete your skate. Frames Roll-Line's research and development team has crafted three collezioni (collections) of frame technology: Saturno, Giotto, and Spin. Each frame delivers unique characteristics to respond to the needs of our sport's various audiences. Saturno is designed for intermediate athletes on figures and loops with its kingpin inclined at 20º. The beloved Giotto, ever in demand for over 20 years, is now advised for use more on figure circles only with an inclination of 16º. Today, Spin inclined at 18º is Roll-Line's most advanced frame for use on both figures and loops. Image credit and info (Roll-Line®) on Frames: Saturno, Giotto, Spin; Wheels: Giotto Obbligatorio; Bearings: Speed Max (7mm) Frames: Sizing Your frame's size is determined by your boot's size. Use the following compatibility chart to locate your Risport boot's size and its compatible frame sizes. Bearings & Wheels For Roll-Line's artistic frames, Speed Max (7 MM) is the only bearing we advise for use—and Saturno, Giotto, and Spin are no exception. For wheels, you only need Giotto Obbligatorio, which comes in 5 variations based on the skater's surface or floor type. Cushions When you purchase a new Saturno, Giotto, or Spin frame, you receive two sets of cushions: natural rubber and elastomer. Saturno arrives assembled with natural rubber cushions (standard) and is accompanied by a complete set of elastomers for your use, while the inverse is true of Giotto and Spin, which arrive with elastomers assembled and natural rubbers included in the box. Please note the following prior to purchasing one of the aforementioned frames from our ProShop: Standard Cushions For compatibility, your boot size determines your frame's size, which determines which natural rubber and elastomers come standard with your purchase. You can purchase natural rubber and elastomer cushions for Saturno, Giotto, and Spin separately as needed. The cushion color you choose should be determined by the athlete's body weight in kilograms. Standard Cushions & Comparison Charts Solutions Complete Skate Packages & Combos turnkey solutions for all Bearing-in-Wheel Combinations (Combos) and Complete Skate Packages (CSPs) are turnkey Solutions designed by our ProShop that allow you to take the guesswork out of placing your order and without requiring extra tools. Before you purchase a Solution, you should know that neither the complete Solution nor any component thereof is eligible for returns, exchanges, or refunds. Combos With Combos, you're purchasing wheels and bearings together. You'll get your bearings inserted into your wheels for you and shipped to you without having to borrow or purchase a bearing press ($90). For figures and loops, you should choose Combo Obbligatorio. Complete Skate Packages (CSPs) With CSPs, you get a turnkey solution without needing extra tools or wondering if you've forgotten anything. CSPs are used by hobbyists and athletes alike because they combine the best practices of the industry and experienced professionals. Plus, no bearing press is required. You can browse all Complete Skate Packages here but since this ProGuide covers Obbligatorio (figures and loops), check out these three CSPs that athletes—and athletes only—may want to consider: Soleil uses Risport Electra (45) and Roll-Line Saturno for both figures and loops; Padua uses Risport RF3 Pro (60) and Roll-Line Giotto for figures; Specchio uses Risport RF3 Pro and Roll-Line Spin for both figures and loops. All three CSPs use your choice of one of five Giotto Obbligatorio wheels and Speed Max (7 MM) bearings. Other Examples Other examples of complete skates purchased by ProShop customers Create a comment below to submit your photos Looking for some photos from real customers? Check these out (and the comments below).

ProGuide Understanding Danza: Tech, Components, and Complete Skates Approaches, Characteristics, Components & Tech Use this ProGuide to get a play-by-play of all components—boots, frames, wheels, bearings, cushions—used for solo, couples, quartet, show, precision, jam, and rhythm. You can also jump to options like Combos and Complete Skate Packages with other references and helpful resources along the way. Components & Manufacturers Unlike Obbligatorio, dance-specific tech can be attractive to—and used by—hobbyists and jam/rhythm athletes, and therefore widely worn by coaches and non-athletes, rolling around during public sessions, online, and used indoors. To keep things concise, we'll use Danza to encompass all the aforementioned audiences. When compared to other disciplines, our ProShop tech used for Danza, or Dance, is also quite distinct and backed by decades of ongoing research and development (R&D). Boots & Accessories Risport • #MadeInItaly Risport boots and accessories are some of the most versatile boots we can choose for training, testing, and competing in Danza without needing a custom boot—yet, additional customization is possible. For experienced hobbyists and athletes in Danza who are exploring boot options, we suggest starting with the following: ProTip After you've chosen your boot and tackled your tracings to determine your boot size, you have to choose a frame and select any components needed for your next steps. Explore frames, standard components, and alternative components to complete your skate; then, reference this boot-to-frame chart to locate the frame's size. Or, tackle your tracings and skip the skip frame charts by selecting Hans or Andrea from our Complete Skate Packages (CSPs). Images: Roll-Line® Dance by Roll-Line® Roll-Line* • #MadeInItaly Overview & Sizing Resources Roll-Line's R&D team devised a single solution—Dance—comprised of the most advanced frame technology for this discipline. Dance's base is made of Ergal using Computer Numerical Control (CNC). Dance is designed with Roll-Line's left/right differentiation (reduced wheelbase) for generating more speed with each push. Its 13 MM kingpins are inclined at 18º for greater accuracy on edges, excellent maneuverability, and stability in the execution of dance movements such as clusters and traveling sequences. Dance's aluminum trucks and 7 MM steel axles are supported by elastomer cushions and its actions are adjusted with just a few clicks using Roll-Line's beloved Click-Action adjustment feature, providing an added layer of personalization, heightened precision, and maintaining their orientation even during more complex movements and skating. Dance comes standard with Roll-Line's best-selling Ambra toe stops and arrives with this frame's standard tool kit is included. Learn more using the expandable sections below. Solutions Combos & CSPs turnkey solutions for all Bearing-in-Wheel Combinations (Combos) and Complete Skate Packages (CSPs) are turnkey Solutions designed by Roller Louisiane's ProShop that allow you to take fewer steps when placing your order, save a little bit, and don't require extra tools. Before you purchase a Solution, you should know that neither the complete Solution nor any component thereof is eligible for returns, exchanges, or refunds. Combos With Combos, you're purchasing wheels and bearings together. You'll get your bearings inserted into your wheels for you and shipped to you without having to borrow or purchase a bearing press ($90). For figures and loops, you should choose Combo Danza. Complete Skate Packages (CSPs) With CSPs, you get a turnkey solution without needing extra tools or wondering if you've forgotten anything. CSPs are used by hobbyists and athletes alike because they combine the best practices of the industry and experienced professionals. Plus, no bearing press is required. You can browse all Complete Skate Packages here but since this ProGuide covers Danza, check out these CSPs using Danza-specific tech: Hans & Andrea. Questions? ProGuide Contributions If you have any questions about this ProGuide or its content, including suggestions on how we can improve this resource, please leave a comment below. Stay in the know about this ProGuide and any potential updates by giving it a "Like" to save this Proguide to your Profilo's favorites. For pre-purchase questions, please explore our Filo's ProShop category and share your question on Filo by creating a ProShop post. Merci. Thank you. Grazie. Danke. Gracias. Obrigado.

ProGuide Boots & Frames: Selecting and Sizing Your Tech Boots, Frames, Size Charts & Instructions Whether you're browsing our ProShop for a solution like a Complete Skate Package (CSP) or you prefer to select your own component(s)—meaning, you create your own skate and we assemble and ship—you can and should use this ProGuide to tackle the selection and sizing of boots and frames. However, for bearings and wheels, see this ProGuide. After you review this ProGuide on boots and frames, if you still have questions, share them with us by creating a post on our Filo (ProShop category). Complete Skate Packages (CSPs) With CSPs, you technically only need to tackle the Tracings: How-To (Instructions) detailed below. We'll handle the rest for you. If your skates are being shipped outside the continental U.S., you can request a quote by contacting us on chat with your delivery address, prior to placing your order. Create Your Own When selecting your own components—boot, frame, wheels, bearings—you have to start with the boots. This means you will have to start with tackling the tracings with Step 0: Tracings, a How-To (Instructions) before doing anything else. The Rest of Your Cart Once you've added the boot to your cart, you can then browse frames and use the frame charts below to select your frame size and add your frame to your cart. Lastly, you'll need to add the Mounting and Shipping option for delivery. If you wish to mount everything on your own, you'll note this when placing your order and still have to add the Mounting and Shipping option to your cart. If your skates are being shipped outside the continental U.S., you can request a quote by contacting us on chat with your delivery address, prior to placing your order. Step 0: Tracings, a How-To Your tracings are required and used to confirm your measurements. Your measurements, along with your life stage, are used to calculate your boot's size. Then, your boot's size determines your frame's size. Your frame's size determines your standard components. Once you know your frame's standard components, you can decide if you need to purchase anything to further personalize your order before we ship your skates/components to you. We also provide tutorials created by Roll-Line to help you before, after, and throughout the life of your tech. Use the following expandable sections to view more and tackle each step. credit: Roll-Line Catalogue 2022 Boot-to-Frame Charts Since your boot size determines your frame's size, you'll need your boot's size to choose the right frame size before you check out. Please note: If you're purchasing a Complete Skate Package, you only have to choose your boot size and wheel preference. You can use this for the goal of learning but ultimately skip it because our team will tackle this step for you. Questions As always, knowledge is key and we do this to share knowledge and perfect each resource. So, collaborating is key! For anything related to the content of this ProGuide, we invite you to use the comments section below. Product Questions Should you have Product questions—meaning, an inquiry about a particular boot or questions not related to this particular ProGuide—you can and should check out our Filo's ProShop channel ("category") and create a post to share your question. Don't be shy! Your question could help someone else and even protect you and your investment from costly mistakes, ordering the wrong size, product, etc. See more tutorials on Roll-Line's YouTube Channel

ProGuide Understanding Bearings and Wheels Navigating tech, components, and approaches Use this ProGuide and all ProGuides for professional guidance at any level—whether you're a non-athlete (hobbyist), parent, athlete, coach, or simply browsing our ProShop. This ProGuide covers all bearings and wheels sold in our ProShop, which are made by Roll-Line® in Italy. #MadeInItaly CONTENTS click to jump to a section below • Getting Started • Bearing Press • Bearings • Wheels • Mixing/Matching Wheels • Wear-and-Tear: Replacing Wheels • Roll-Line YouTube Tutorial • Outdoor & Recreational Wheels Getting Started Wheels and bearings are the first of a handful of components with a direct relationship between you and the results you seek. When you buy new wheels, it's best to buy new bearings too. This rule of thumb applies equally to hobbyists and athletes. Approach for Athletes When you buy them together, they age together. This buying habit is especially helpful if you happen to have just one pair of skates (freestyle) and must change your wheels for figure/loop and dance practice—not uncommon in the first year—because of one immediate reason: You will not want to remove your freestyle wheels (8), all the bearings (16), and reinsert them (16) into other wheels such as figure/loop wheels and/or dance wheels on a daily basis. Not only is this an inconvenience, but it's a big waste of time. More importantly, it mitigates risk because removing bearings so often can eventually damage a bearing or bearings, causing you to sit out on valuable practice for days and even weeks on end while you await your new set of bearings by mail. Should this happen at a meet, you could even miss your freestyle/figure/dance event at a competition, meaning a loss of money and time on a much larger scale. At the end of the day and throughout your career, you will accrue a bunch of bearings and you'll never regret starting fresh (new wheels and new bearings) and having some on hand when an emergency arises. What You Need Bearing Press The estrattore (bearing press) is an invaluable tool for every household and club. It could be required if you (or your coach) do not currently have one. So, if you purchase wheels and bearings separately, the estrattore is purchased at the same time. In my experience, rinks don't lend out bearing presses and you should never use anything but a bearing press to remove and insert bearings—ignoring this is a costly decision in both time and money. Solutions The estrattore (bearing press) is not required if you or your coach already have access to one or purchase a Soluzione (Solution) such as a Complete Skate Package (CSP) or Bearing-in-Wheel Combos. However, Combos are priced slightly higher than buying a set of wheels and a set of bearings separately, to accommodate for time, so you may find that having a bear press is best for you in the long term. Note: No component from a Combo, like CSPs, is eligible for refunds, exchanges, or returns. Bearings Bearings are, in our opinion, one of the most important components with regard to your skates. Get started by determining the diameter of your frame's axles. All Roll-Line® artistic frames' axles use 7 MM axles. If your frame's axles are 7 mm, you need Speed Max. If your frame's axles are 8 mm in diameter, you need ABEC 9. Wheels When shopping for wheels, there are a handful of factors to consider. The term Diameter refers to the size or height, when looking at the wheel. Profile refers to the width of the wheel, or how much wheel width you will have touching the skating surface. As the wheel ages, its Profile will diminish as it cones (see: Care & Maintenance below). Finally, each wheel class has a range of Hardnesses, each with its own color and shore number. The lower the shore number, the softer the wheel (for its class) and more grip; the higher the shore number, the harder the wheel, with slightly less grip. Use the following subsections learn more. Note for Hobbyists For non-athletes, we suggest starting with the Libero (57 MM) or Danza (61 MM) options described below. Obbligatorio Figures & Loops Restrictions: Athletes in artistic only For Obbligatorio, or Figures & Loops, use Giotto Obbligatorio wheels in one of five colors (hardnesses) according to the skate surface you use. These wheels are 63 MM in diameter, with a profile of 21 MM. Danza & Jam/Rhythm Solo, Couples, Groups, Show, Jam/Rhythm For Danza, Jam, and Rhythm, use Ice by Roll-Line® in one of five colors (hardnesses) according to the skate surface you use. Ice wheels are 61 MM in diameter, with a profile of 24 MM. Libero Singles & Pairs Discipline Overlap: Hobbyists, Freedance, Jam & Rhythm For freestyle (singles and pairs), hobbyists, jam/rhythm, use one of three classes of wheels by Roll-Line: Learn about each below using the gallery sliders and accompanying text descriptions. GIOTTO LIBERO (1 of 3) Giotto Libero is 57 MM in diameter with a profile of 21 MM. PROFESSIONAL (2 of 3) Professional by Roll-Line is 57 MM in diameter with a profile of 24 MM. DEVIL (3 of 3) Devil by Roll-Line is 57 MM in diameter with a profile of 24 MM. Mixing & Matching Wheels When training and competing on a single surface, varying surfaces, and multiple surfaces, taking the step of understanding how and when to mix and match wheels can mean all the difference. Reminder Never mix wheels of different sizes (diameters). All of our ProShop's freestyle wheels are 57 MM in diameter. Ice's diameter is 61 MM; Giotto Obbligatorio for figures and loops are the largest at 63 MM. Helium, for outdoors, is 64 MM in diameter. If you already use Roll-Line wheels, the diameter can be found printed on the wheel's hub. Factors to Consider Other factors to consider include the skater's skill level, the wheel/product itself, and of course, the skating surface in reference. Mixing wheels of two or more hardnesses can alter the athlete's experience—increasing the athlete's confidence and attack—and of course, can improve the athlete's output during training sessions and when competing. With so many factors at play, it's possible to create and experiment with numerous combinations, provided you have a range of wheels at your disposal. Shore Scale The softer the wheel—or the lower the Shore hardness number—the greater the grip and the slightly lower the smoothness. The harder the wheel, or the greater the Shore hardness number, the greater the smoothness and slightly less grip. When switching between Magnum/Giotto and Devil it is good practice to consider a lower hardness than the one used previously (e.g.: Magnum/Giotto 49 → Devil 47). The Shore scale for any product (wheel) offers a range of options, but the wheels used should be in succession. For example, Devil comes in seven (7) options, each with a unique Shore or hardness rating from 36 to 53. The softest is 36, the hardest is 53. Therefore, you should pair them with their neighbor in the scale itself: 36 pairs with 39; 39 can pair with its softer neighbor (36) or with 42. EXAMPLE • 2 Hardnesses Generally speaking, the softer wheel (light green) provides more grip and therefore should be used on the pressure points as shown in the image below. The harder wheel (dark green) of the two plays the role of a sliding wheel, helping to improve speed and smoothness. EXAMPLE • 3 Hardnesses The following examples use three different types of wheels: the softest is light green, the medium is dark green and the hardest of the three is black. Care & Maintenance Wear-and-Tear: Replacing Wheels When it's time to replace your wheels, you will want to use the following image as a reference and plan accordingly. Most wheels require minimum break-in time, so as a rule of thumb, allow 1-2 weeks, prior to any test or competition. Worn Wheels by Roll-Line® Outdoor & Recreational Generally speaking, consumers aren't aware they need outdoor wheels for outdoor surfaces (recreational skating). They're equally unaware that using outdoor wheels on indoor skating surfaces, such as a rink, will only make the experience less enjoyable and could even prompt them to get kicked out or replace their skates with rentals. To protect your local facility's floor/surface, and avoid violating the facility's terms of use, everyone should always have and maintain a unique/dedicated set of wheels (bearings inserted) for indoor skating. Helium by Roll-Line® is an excellent wheel for outdoor skating and we've even launched two new Helium Combos in our ProShop, so you can buy your Helium with 7 MM bearings or Helium with 8 MM bearings. Voilà ! View all Outdoor-related products in our ProShop—including toe stops.

“The progression of sound in time, its movement, has much in common with physical movement in time and space.” - Leonard G. Ratner, Music: The Listener’s Art Excelling in compulsory dance requires you to practice and demonstrate strict adherence to the placement of steps—relative to the size of the skating surface—as well as the timing of the music, while still conveying rhythm, ease, and gracefulness in your carriage and movements. I enjoy the similarities between understanding roller dance and understanding music, so I wanted to share my favorite parts of learning both solo (one athlete) and team (2 athletes) compulsory dances. I find that reading a dance diagram (images) is similar to reading music, which I learned to do as a teen playing the violin. Roller Sports (all) is rich with lexicon unique to our history and evolution, so learning new vocabulary is just part of the daily journey. Diagram: USARS Learning to Dance The first dance I learned from my coach was the Glide Waltz as a solo dance. Glide Waltz is a wonderful first dance to learn since it is on the early RSA Solo and Team Dances Achievement Program tests and usually in beginner dance categories at local meets. The first two dances I competed in were team Glide Waltz and American March, and solo City Blues and American March. I have learned almost ten dances now and American March is still my least favorite ( I have respect for the person who wrote it, but it caused me a lot of stress and was not fun to compete in). Suggestions for Starting Out I learn best by following someone and watching them do the dance AND by studying the diagram. The more steps and types of steps a dance has, the more I recommend doing both. A diagram alone was not enough for me when I was new to roller dance, I also had to see someone do the dance. This is like learning to read music, it helps to learn to play what you hear before learning to read music (at least according to the Suzuki method). Even if I have already learned the dance, I understand and remember the dance better if I also note the diagram. See my example of a diagram breakdown below under “Reading a Diagram.” As always, consult a professional coach, since I am still learning, and the way I understand the information may be different from the way you do. The Music Music impacts how I skate by inspiring me (a good 138 bpm waltz song always makes me want to start doing the Double Cross Waltz) so having music to practice to is a must. It is important to note that Compulsory Dances at competitions are always skated to the organ music selected by the meet’s host. Some of the organ music is charming, but I also love dancing to melodies with vocals, so I found music with the correct time signature and tempo for practicing the Glide Waltz using GetSongBPM. USARS also posts songs with dance tempos that will be used for that skate year on their resource page. Here is the 2023 Modern Music Google Drive. If you are training to compete in compulsory dance, I recommend practicing the most frequently to organ music so you will be prepared for competing and be able to recognize the beat. Two places to find organ music used in roller dance are Tim Laskey's Soundcloud and Skate Dance Diagrams Weebly page with each diagram. If you know of others, please share in the comments! The tempo determines the speed of the dance in beats per minute (bpm) and the time signature shows the note value (the bottom number) and the number of notes in a measure (the top number). For example, the Glide Waltz is a 108 beats per minute, 3/4 waltz. This means that in each bar, or "measure," there are the equivalent of three-quarter notes, and each quarter note is valued at 108 beats per minute. I see the steps of the dance as corresponding to a note value, with a single beat representing a quarter note and a step held for two beats equaling a half note. To see what a note value looks like, in the sheet music example below "Some" and "where" are both on half notes, and "rain" and "bow" are both on quarter notes. An example of a whole note is the bottom two notes on the last two bars (or measures). “Music is an art directly dependent upon the dimension of time” Fundamentals of Sight Singing and Ear Training Reading a Diagram I am currently learning the Southland Swing, so I am going to use it to show you how to read a diagram. You can find all dance diagrams arranged alphabetically at this amazing online resource called Skate Dance Diagrams and Tools. Looking Forward There have been over two hundred fifty dances invented and there is always room for more. At some competitions, you can enter an original compulsory dance of your own design! If you are interested, USA Rollers Sports has a video explaining the process: Original Compulsory Dance. If you have been skating Dance for a long time and want to try something different, consider becoming a judge for roller dance (see the tests here: RSA Judges Manual), share this blog with someone who needs it, and leave helpful comments below for the skaters still in training. I am fascinated by all of the rules, techniques, and music for dance, but it does not replace the feeling of dance and learning with a partner, so go, dance! Allons danser! Example of Team Free Dance (USARS National Championship) Free Dance is a freeform competition category that is choreographed and is different from Compulsory Dances. Example of a Team Compulsory Dance (USARS National Championship) This is an example of a beginner Compulsory Dance. The City Blues is a great team dance to learn if you are just starting.

And, why do we have them? 😈 Coming Thursday, September 29, 2022: What are they? Figure circles are sets of three distinct circles, each measuring 6 meters in Diameter. US: 19 feet, 8.25 inches. Why do we have them? Figure circles are a staple in most rinks across the US and the world. They're used to teach people to skate, so in classes and with competitors alike. Learn more about the sport side of figures below. Or, watch an example: #throwback SPORT In figures, skaters trace figure circles painted on the surface of the floor. Judges in figure events consider the quality of the skater's tracing of the circle, clean takeoffs, edges, and correct placement of turns. The skater's form and posture is emphasized as well. This is different from compulsory figures on ice, who skate on blank ice and draw their own circles, leaving tracings on the ice as they skate. The official dimension of plain figure circles, measured at their diameter is 6 meters (19 feet, 8+1⁄4 inches). The official dimension of smaller loop figure circles measures 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10+1⁄2 inches). Circles are typically painted in "serpentines"—sets of three circular lobes. The basic figures skated are typically referred to by numbers, the same as those skated by ice skaters, ranging from simple circle eights through serpentines (figures using one push for a circle and a half), paragraphs (figures using one push for two circles), and loops (smaller circles with a teardrop-shaped loop skated at the top of the circle). There is one category of simple figures (111 and 112) that are unique to roller skaters; these are serpentines that begin with a half circle skated on one foot, then change to the other foot, for the next circle, then change back to the other foot for another half circle. Some of the more basic figures are numbered 1, 2, 1B, 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B, 111A, 111B, 112A, and 112B, in which the letter B designates starting on the left foot. These figures are often taught as beginning figures for those just starting. They include simple circle eights, circle eights with three turns, and serpentines. More difficult figures include the use of turns like counters, brackets, and rockers, and they are numbered 19, 21, 22, 26, etc. Judges in figure events consider the quality of the skater's tracing of the circle, clean takeoffs, edges, and correct placement of turns. The skater's form and posture is emphasized as well. Learn more figures with USA Roller Sports and see example videos of both figures and loops below:

READ ME This resource article provides information for the general public. It is grouped by topic and written from all levels (high to low). All topics use new and old concepts, from which we can expand. There are no ads or banners; all images, GIFs, videos, are galleries below are here for you. TONE & FEEDBACK I'm choosing to write in a colloquial, approachable tone. It is a living resource article—meaning, candid collaboration is paramount and updates will be made periodically. You can receive notifications by "Liking" this article. As always, your input, feedback, and questions are welcome and encouraged in the comments section (below). CONTENTS • Intro to Roller Sports: Foundation & Olympism • Intro to Figures: What are Figures? (Figures & Loops) • Vocabulary & Circle Dimensions; see also: Geometry and Figure Types • Application & Role • Video 1: Example of Figures in competition • Video 2: Example of Loops in competition • Documentation • Intro: Figures 1-4 • Video: Figure 1 Demo • Learning to read the Documentation • Documentation (Gallery) • Figure Types • Documentation (PDF) • Universalisms, Form & Carriage (Videos) - Full 75-Minute Version • Geometry of Figures • Strike Zone • Body Axis • Hands & Shoulders • Takeoffs (static) & rolling takeoffs • Employeed Knee • Free Leg Sources MERLIN | Inventor of first skates and first roller skater (1760) Foundation To understand the foundation of roller sports, we have to know Olympism and our working parts, such as World Skate: the organization that started international roller sports on April 21, 1924, and has managed it ever since. INTRO What are Figures? This resource article focuses on the universal form and foundational best practices of Roller Figure Skating's Figure and Loop disciplines. The term Figures is widely used colloquially to encompass both Circle Figures (Video 2) and Loops (Video 3), two disciplines of roller figure skating that demand tracing accuracy, body control, and extreme concentration. Each skater retraces a series of figure patterns--combining a variety of difficult take-offs, edges, and turns--on a set of circles painted on the skating surface. Skaters at the national level devote hours of silent and demanding practice each week to figure skating in order to attain their success. Skaters in this event are judged on their tracing of the figure circle, execution of turns and takeoffs, and posture. Video 1: Example, Circle Figures (World-Class Men) Vocabulary In ice and roller skating, the largest circles are Circle Figure [circles], which are more commonly called Figure Circles. Figure Circles are the largest, measuring 6 meters in width (diameter), while their smaller cousins, Loop figures, have a major diameter of 2.4 meters. CONVERTING M to FT Americans: To approximate the diameter in feet, multiply meters by 3 to convert into feet • Figure Circles are exactly 6 meters in width (19 feet, 8.2 inches) • Loop Circles are exactly 2.4 meters in width (7 feet, 10 inches). Application & Role Figures and Loops are two of Roller Figure Skating's oldest disciplines and both can be trained and competed independently, with no other experience in additional disciplines. When you watch competitive skating—jumping, spinning, dance, pairs—you're enjoying the output of years of figure and loop training. None of what you're seeing is remotely possible without Figures. Every fall, every landing, every slip, every spin, every dance step, and every lift, are possible because of the athlete's commitment (in time) to doing Figures at every practice (usually the first 60-75 mins). Video 2: Example, Loops (World-Class Men) Why is this new? In terms of practice structure, in the US, we do Figures first. So, if you show up early (10 minutes before a public skating session) you might likely be let in and see dance, pairs, and freestyle being practiced, but not Figures and Loops. Our practices are open to spectators. Some coaches like Federico Casas (@federicocasas_) are using social media to reverse the invisibility of Figures (Circle Figures and Loops). #LEARN Figures: Language of Skating Let's reference the first of four "Circle Eight" figures because when they are learned together, this group covers all eight (8) edges in skating. Skating's edges are grouped and referenced using the following nomenclature in mind: Skate, Edge, and Direction. • The Employed Skate, or "skate" in use: Left (L) or Right (R) • The Edge being pressed and created: Outside or Outer (O) and Inside or Inner (I) • The skate's traveling orientation or Direction: Forward (F) or Backward (B) Image 1 // Source 1 Reading the Documentation As shown in the same image above (Image 1), you'll notice two edges are associated with each figure —1, 2, 3, and 4—and each figure is skated using the right (R) skate first. Figure 1 and Figure 3 demonstrate outside edges (O); Figure 1 is skated forward and Figure 3 is skated backward. Likewise, Figure 2 and Figure 4 demonstrate inside edges; Figure 2 is skated forward and Figure 4 is skated backward. Forward Figures Figure 1: ROF - LOF Right-Outer-Forward edge Left-Outer-Forward edge Figure 2: RIF - LIF Right-Inner-Forward edge Left-Inner-Forward edge Backward Figures Figure 3: ROB - LOB Right-Outer-Back edge Left-Outer-Back edge Figure 4: RIB - LIB Right-Inner-Back edge Left-Inner-Back edge VISUALIZE Figure 1 Demo Video Skating is full of old and new concepts but for the immediate, let's focus on Geometry and on new vocabulary. Full Documentation (Gallery) Gallery 1 (Diagrams) // Source 1 Figure Types 1 • Circle Eight figures involve tracing one circle (6 meters wide) with a single push 1.5 • Serpentine figures involve tracing and transitioning, a half-circle to a whole circle, via a change of edge 2 • Paragraph figures involve tracing two circles with a single push 3 • Double-3 figures involve two three-turns, each on its own Three-Mark (2), 4 • Loop Circle figures involve tracing the 2.4-meter-wide loop figure without having to trace the teardrop Full Documentation (PDF) The following is a PDF of Roller Louisiane's Figure Manual, a hard-copy of which can be referenced in-rink and at competitions as needed. It is a living document and future versions, if updated, will live here and in our club's File Library under the "Manuels_Guides_Documentation" folder. See source 1 below for original source information. WATCH | Geometry Video 4: Geometry Circle Figures, Vocabulary | Clockwise 0% = Tangency, part of Strike Zone, requires knowledge of both long (1) & short axis (2-3) 25% = QUARTER-MARK (1st of 4) indicates 25% circle completion 33% = THIRD-MARK (1st of 2) indicates 33% circle completion; Bridge starts here 50% = QUARTER-MARK (2nd of 4) indicates 50% completion; Bridge's Apex here 66% = THIRD-MARK (2nd of 2) indicates 66% completion; the Bridge ends here. 75% = QUARTER-MARK (3rd of 4) indicates 75% completion 100% = QUARTER-MARK (4th of 4) indicates 100% circle completion and knowledge of short and long axis #PRACTICE Universals & Foundations Form & Carriage Let's sort and internalize them from the floor up. Video 5: USARS Strike Zone #strikezone #takeoff #geometry Video 6: USARS Body Axis: Ankle to Ear #static #takeoffs #OF #LOF #ROF #shoulders #OF #outerforward #lean #lowerinsideshoulder Video 7: USARS Hands + Shoulders #static #takeoffs #OF #LOF #ROF #shoulders #OF #outerforward #lean #lowerinsideshoulder Video 8: USARS Take-Offs & Transitions (Strike Zone) #Figure1, #Figure2, #Figure3, #Figure4, #rollingtakeoff #inlinetransition #heeltotoe #instep #pockettransition Video 9: USARS Employed Knee #tallknee #skatingfoot #static #takeoffs Video 10: USARS Free Leg #Freeleg #crosstracing #cross #tracing SOURCES & DOCUMENTATION Click here to jump to the top of this resource article. // SOURCE 1 Author: US Amateur Confederation of Roller Skating (USACRS) Medium: Print Original Publication: 1989 USAC/RS11th Ed. Roller Figure Skating *Note 1: USACRS is now USA Roller Sports (USARS) // SOURCE 2 Author: Skate Dance Diagrams Medium: Website Home Page: SkateDanceDiagramsWeebly.com Referenced Page: See School Figure Page *Note: This article references scans of Source 1's original documentation: 1989 USAC/RS11th Ed. Roller Figure Skating. This source documentation is provided by USA Roller Sports and made available online by the tireless work and expertise of the folks at Skate Dance Diagrams. // SOURCE 3 Author: US Amateur Confederation of Roller Skating (USACRS) Previous Medium: VHS (1998), PDF* Modern Medium: YouTube, as "Figures" Title: Form and Carriage Presented by: Bob Gates (Utica, Michigan) *PDF: If you have a copy of this PDF, pls comment below and create a post on our website's home page.

OFFICIAL PRACTICE Thursday, Feb 2nd ($5) 7:00-8:30 PM Attendance may influence the distribution of time and is altered at the Meet Manager's discretion. Figures: 7:00-7:30 PM Dance: 7:30-8:00 PM Freestyle: 8:00-8:30 PM 2023 SCHEDULE Friday, Feb 3rd - Sunday, Feb 5th Spectators are admitted free of charge. Click the arrows below to expand the schedule by day or read the original documentation shared by Memphis's Meet Manager: Steve Wojtowicz. Free Public Sessions! Thursday, Feb 2nd - Saturday, Feb 4th Per the Meet Manager, Steve Wojtowicz, Caroline MIrellli has confirmed the following sessions are "available to skaters at no cost." Thank you, East End Skating Center! Thursday 1 - 6 PM Friday 6 - 8 PM Sat 4 - 8 PM Memphis Floor Layout Friday, Feb 3rd - Sunday, Feb 5th Click the arrows below to expand the images or read the original documentation shared by Memphis's Meet Manager: Steve Wojtowicz. #HeartOfMemphis2023 • #CoeurDeMemphis2023 Hosts Regulatory Organization: American Artistic Roller Sports or website Host Facility/Rink: East End Skating Center Host City: Memphis, Tennessee (Memphis Travel) Host Club: Memphis Artistic Skate Club Host Club Head Coach: Caroline Mirelli Meet Documentation You can find all known documentation in the #MemphisTN2023 meet folder in Roller Louisiane's File Library. If more current documentation is known and published by the Meet Manager, please upload the PDF in the comments below. Skating Surface Type: Hardwood Maple Dimensions: 180 ft x 80 ft // 55 x 24 m Administration Meet Manager: Steve Wojtowicz Meet Rules: Meet Documentation Meet Language(s): English Caroline Mirelli: Host Club's Head Coach

Videos, links, files & more: Learn more about USARS. About USA Roller Sports www.USARollerSports.org USA Roller Sports (USARS) is recognized by WorldSkate and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as the National Governing Body of competitive roller sports in the United States. DISCIPLINES Member Athletes, Coaches, and Officials Member Athletes is a given—but, USARS also accepts other non-competing members, such as but not limited to non-competing members, coaches, and officials. Makes sense. What about our parents, recreation, jam, and skateboarding/aggressive inline cousins? Y'all're included, too. In fact, it's one of the reasons I came back to skating. I have always believed clubs should be multidisciplinary. Another reason: WorldSkate = more disciplines, more opportunities. Explore WorldSkate. #InMyDay Back to USARS and clubs: when I was growing up, National Capital Dance & Figure Club was a mega club in multiple cities and states (DC, Maryland, Virginia). My club, our club, will build on this legacy and work together. Roller Louisiane is registered as a figure (artistic) club with USARS but we aim to be a multidiscipline, multilingual, multi-city, multi-state club. Its DNA will always be a reflection of our skaters and their will. In its bylaws, USARS acknowledges the following disciplines: artistic, speed, roller derby, and hockey discipline categories. However, Its membership application for individual members includes the following categories. Roller Louisiane is Fun Nation's USA Roller Sports Club. While Roller Louisiane Individual Options/Categories Figure: refers to roller figure skating, including singles, pairs, dance, figure, show, and precision Speed: refers to inline speed skating Roller Derby: accepted as an official discipline in 2011 Rink Hockey: refers to quad-skate roller hockey Inline Hockey: refers to inline skate roller hockey Recreation: refers to fitness skating and jam skating (recreational dance skating) Aggressive: refers to skateboarding and aggressive inline skating USARS & You • USARS & You: Athletes • USARS & You: Coaches • USARS & You: Officials • USARS & You: Clubs/Teams • USARS & You: List of Official Clubs/Members • USARS & You: USARS Governance • USARS & You: Insurance • USARS & You: Learn to Skate • USARS & You: USARS Social Media • USARS & You: Donations USARS & Fun Nation (Rink) Fun Nation's bilingual skating classes are offered in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German by Brian Clary at our rink, located at 4518 West Congress Street, in Lafayette, Louisiana. You learn more About the Coach and follow him via his Fun Nation member profile. USARS, SafeSport & Roller Louisiane Brian is now President and Head Coach of his own club: Roller Louisiane—a USARS Official Roller Sports Club. USA Roller Sports requires Roller Louisiane and all USARS clubs to retrain (annually) coaches and club officers, as well as its judges and officials (events), and to complete SafeSport training annually. SafeSport Courses for All are phenomenal, multilingual resources for parents, athletes, adult athletes, and really just about anyone with a pulse. USARS & Brian Clary Brian is a Level-1 Coach certified by and registered with USARS. Brian is a former member athlete of USARS and of #TeamUSA in pairs skating, as well as the USA Roller Sports Academy at the Olympic Training Center's Colorado Springs Campus in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Prior to being on Team USA* in 2003, he won gold as the National Champion in four Junior Olympic events (Boys Singles and Pairs) from 1999-2000. *Opening Ceremonies (World Championships) 📍 Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷 USARS Disciplines Explore figure, speed, rink hockey, inline hockey, roller derby, and extreme sports. Other USARS disciplines include culture roll (video). USARS & WorldSkate Get news from WorldSkate's site on its own set of disciplines (12) including the aforementioned USARS disciplines and skateboarding, inline alpine, inline downhill, inline freestyle, scootering, and skate cross. Note: For more info, media, and videos on figure skating see WorldSkate's artistic page. USARS Olympic Philosophy As a recognized National Governing Body under the U.S. Olympic Committee, USARS embraces the philosophy of Olympism and USARS applies its principles and values to every aspect of our Roller Sports program. Olympism is a philosophy of life that places sport at the service of humanity. This philosophy is based on the interaction of the qualities of the body, will, and mind. USARS is committed to the pursuit of these ideals and to following the three core values defined by the Olympic Movement: Excellence, Respect, and Community. USARS, SafeSport & Roller Louisiane Brian is now President and Head Coach of his own club: Roller Louisiane—a USARS Official Roller Sports Club. USA Roller Sports requires Roller Louisiane and all USARS clubs to retrain (annually) coaches and club officers, as well as its judges and officials (events), and to complete SafeSport training annually. SafeSport Courses for All are phenomenal, multilingual resources for parents, athletes, adult athletes, and really just about anyone with a pulse. USARS History USARS has sponsored amateur competitions since 1937, exercising jurisdiction over the participation of United States roller skaters in international competition, including World Championships, World Games, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games. USARS Headquarters USA Roller Sports, a non-profit corporation under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is the National Governing Body (NGB) for amateur roller skating in the United States under the Amateur Sports Act of 1978. USA Roller Sports is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), the World Skate Organization, and the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). USA Roller Sports 4730 South Street Lincoln, NE 68506 USArollersport.org +1 (402) 483-7551 Fax (402) 483-1465

Learn more below with a curated summary just for you. What is SafeSport? As reports of sexual abuse in amateur sports made headlines in the 2010s, it had become clear: the US deserves a safer sports culture. To achieve this, a new paradigm anchored by a new organization would be needed. From this need, the U.S. Center for SafeSport ("SafeSport") was created. Learn more on SafeSport: About - Our Story. Does SafeSport apply to me? How? Federal legislation—SafeSport Act—now requires USA Roller Sports (USARS), and all the US's National Governing Bodies (NGBs), to enforce two new requirements during USARS's Membership Registration/Renewal process: (1) SafeSport Training & (2) Background Screening. When it comes to adult athletes—ages 18 years and up—SafeSport training is required. For adult members of #teamUSA, both SafeSport training and the Background Screening are required. Learn more about USARS's Policies and Requirements by member type. Onboarding & Club Requirements If you're joining us for your first year, it is important to note a couple of things. Parents: If the athlete is of legal age, share this resource, so the athlete can begin managing their own membership and account. If you're an adult athlete joining our club, use the Member Registration Sport:80 portal (create an account or log in). Per our Club Requirements, adult athletes will need to do the 90-minute training in order to register successfully and receive their athlete member card (via email) before they can attend private practice, train, test, and/or compete. Once you're registered, continue with Step 2 of our Club Requirements. If you're a parent/guardian registering an athlete not of legal age ("Minor(s)") in your household, you should also use USARS's Member Registration Sport:80 portal, but neither you nor the minor will have to complete SafeSport training. Once you've registered the athlete, continue with Step 2 of our Club Requirements. USARS Membership Portal Log In Here: USArollersports.sport80.com Find Info from USARS here: SafeSport Requirements & Updates USARS & Brian Clary Brian is a Level-1 Coach certified by and registered with USARS. Brian is a former member athlete of USARS and of #TeamUSA in pairs skating, as well as the USA Roller Sports Academy at the Olympic Training Center's Colorado Springs Campus in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Prior to being on Team USA* in 2003, he won gold as the National Champion in four Junior Olympic events (Boys Singles and Pairs) from 1999-2000. SafeSport's Code As reports of sexual abuse in amateur sports made headlines in the 2010s, it had become clear: America deserved a safer sports culture. To achieve this, a new paradigm anchored by a new organization would be needed. Authorized by Congress to help abuse prevention, education, and accountability take root in every sport, on every court. Dedicated solely to ending sexual, physical, and emotional abuse on behalf of athletes everywhere. From this need, the U.S. Center for SafeSport was created. SafeSport's Code is available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.

Félicitations are in order. Athletes from around the country are wrapping up their competitive seasons with rankings coming in from American Roller Sports's (ARS) 2023 Artistic National Championships in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. However, for these athletes and the main body of the US's top athletes—youth, adult, and #teamUSA or elite—the second of four main events is about to start. On the heels of all the various regional championships, thousands of athletes, families, judges, and officials are taking to the roads and sky—as we speak (image) for Lincoln, Nebraska, and USA Roller Sports (USARS) National Championships — the final meet of the year for youth and adult athletes. Elite: January - October From Lincoln, elite event medalists qualify for #teamUSA and continue on to Colombia for the 2023 Pan American Champions in Calí and the 2023 World Artistic Championships in Ibagué (dance, freestyle, pairs, and groups) and the 2023 Figures World Cup (Figures/Loops) closing out the 2023 competitive year in Freiburg, Germany. At this time next year, Roller Louisiane's Membre-Athlètes (MAs) will kick off the Présaison (PreSeason) of Season Three (S3) on Saturday, August 12, 2023, as we prepare for May 2024's South Central Regionals where USARS athletes from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and, Texas will compete for a chance to go on to represent their clubs and regions at next July's 2024 National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska. AARS is the Artistic division of a nonprofit (ARS) dedicated to US-based traditions and tests (Website • Facebook); USARS is our National Governing Body (NGB) and World Skate (WS) is our International GB or IGB. Preparation The skating year starts in September and is structured with local meets in the fall and spring followed by regional and national championships during the summer. I graduated from Roller Louisiane’s class and was invited to join the club in November 2022, so my first competitions were spring invitationals, interclubs, or simply meets. Memphis 2023 These are smaller competitions that any club director can request to compete in, although they are usually for clubs in that region. Roller Louisiane traveled as a club together for the first time in February 2023 to the Heart of Memphis AARS-sanctioned meet in Tennessee. I competed in two figure events, Adult Beginner C and Advanced B Figures. For readers who are not familiar with events, it is important to note that figure and dance events have two different competing elements, so one figure event is two different figures, and once dance event is two different dances. Dallas 2023 Our second competition was the USARS-sanctioned Annual Broadway Easter Meet in Mesquite, Texas, where I competed in two figure events (Adult C Figures and Bronze 1 Figures), one team dance event (Adult C Team Dance), and one solo dance event (Adult C Solo Dance). Since Roller Louisiane is a young club and I’d never competed in sports prior to this, the preparation for both competitions was a logistical and emotional whirlwind. Roller Louisiane founder and head coach Brian Clary designed our club logo and competition outfit, we finished our SafeSport training, practiced for our events, and learned the protocols for warm-up and practice (see section “Competition Protocol” below for more about that). SafeSport is the best training I have ever received concerning harassment and abuse prevention and I am grateful to the governing bodies that created and require adult competing athletes to complete it. Preparation also included managing my stress about competing. I used to play the violin, and I would get overwhelming stage fright. A realization, a philosophy, and a club requirement helped me overcome that anxiety in both the meets. I realized never loved playing the violin enough to practice for hours a day, and preparation reduces stress.* Next I tried to internalize Brian’s direction that we should shed our ego while still skating with confidence because we represent our club and state. I decided to remember my new mantra that we worked hard to be there and that roller dance should be fun, light, and joyful (thanks, Brain) when I started worrying about all the eyes on me. I chose to be there, and I love skating, so I tried to let go of the rest of the feelings that arise when a person with a clipboard and better skaters than you are watching. Finally, Brian required us to volunteer at our first meet. Volunteering as a steward before competing removed some of my fear of the unknown, as I was able to participate in the process of lining up competitors, which helped me understand the sequence of events and whom to look to for cues. *Since I have a sister who made sacrifices so that I could own a violin, take lessons, and perform, I want to mention that being a violinist was transformational for me as a teen. Musical literacy has helped me in team and solo dance in surprising ways (stay tuned for my blog post about that!). That sister is also the first adult in my life that taught me that beautiful efforts were worthwhile for their own sake, so thank you. Competition Going to a competition was the first time, I saw artistic roller skating in person (except for our coach demonstrating skills for us). While I highly recommend finding the right accounts to follow on Instagram, seeing each artistic skating discipline in person was a captivating and educational experience. We were so proud when we heard our club name called and learned that two of our classmates, now teammates, had received medals! As a bonus, we met skating legends Caroline Mirelli and Heather Mulkey. It seems, with time, that clubs develop a rhythm for their competition weekends, but if you are still developing a club or attending a meet on your own, here are lessons learned for my first two competitions: Make a club schedule including each team member's events, when they are, and what they are. You can buy a meet schedule as a souvenir but don't rely on it for quick information. Make sure to check the printed meet schedule for any last-minute changes but use your club calendar to plan each day. Pack food. Rink food, if available at all, is not going to give you the nutrition you need after waking up at 4:00 a.m. and competing, spectating, and volunteering. Pace yourself. If you are competing in multiple events, you should not leave until your events are done. Bring snacks, find quiet time, and plan for networking and socializing! Meet directors keep the events on schedule, but can move on to the next category early if the prior event or discipline is finished, and so your event could be earlier than scheduled. Take a picture of the scoring results once they are posted. You will want it when you are reviewing your progress and competition history. I am grateful to be a part of a club and have a coach to guide me on my adult skater journey, and I will continue to document what I learn and share it with you. We hope to represent you next year at the National Championships! The essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well. L’essentiel n’est pas d’avoir gagné mais de s’être battu. - Olympic Maxim Protocol There was a reminder on Facebook recently about protocol and sportsmanship during competitions, so I wanted to mention a few warmup/ practice protocols that Brian taught us: There should not be more than three skaters warming up on a figure circle at the same time. Yield to backward skaters. Don’t pause in the strike zone, especially if there are others approaching. Understand the figures that others are doing so you don’t start in a direction that will cause a collision. Present to the judges going on and off the floor. You should wear outerwear over your practice or competition outfit when entering and exiting the rink.

When a friend invited me to a Bilingual Skate class in Lafayette in May 2022, I saw an opportunity to learn a new skill (skating) while brushing up on an old one—French comprehension—mais oui ! I came to class, told the class instructor my shoe size, and laced up the rental skates he handed to me. Tan, broken in by hundreds of people before, and badly fitting (men's sizes!), I used those rental skates to reacquaint myself with roller skating and could not remember the last time I had roller skated. I was hooked. The skills I learned in those early classes were achievable and challenging, giving me the state of flow that is so rare in my (self-imposed) busy schedule. I was also inspired by the vision and values of the instructor: Brian Clary. Doing this. I decided that I wanted to learn all of the beginner skills and graduate, but not in the soft, brown, rentals. Within a month of that class, I bought silver, holographic, Impala recreational skates during a Memorial Day sale. They were flashy, mine, and for the next few months I worked hard to force the skates to do what was asked of me (skating from the ankle up). In retrospect, I realize just how much harder I was working to roll and hold an edge. I had read and understood the club resource on equipment, but it wasn't until I decided I wanted to compete that I considered investing in professional equipment. I asked our coach what he would recommend for me in my price range. We talked throughout the order process about where it was safe to cut costs, what should be upgraded, and what I wanted my long-term options to be. One solution does not fit all. Brian created a custom package for me based on my goals, weight, skating surfaces, and disciplines. Skates are mainly comprised of a boot, plate, cushions, wheels, trucks, and toe stops. My package is a Giada boot with a Variant C plate, yellow cushions, and Devil 42D wheels with speed max Abec 9 bearings (which I will mix in the future with Giotto freestyle for the push wheels). Buyers Beware I am generally a very practical person who does not make large purchases, so I thank Brian for working with me to find an option near my price range—AND, having used these skates to progress, I would have paid double what I paid because of the difference it made. The skates arrived in December 2022, a birthday, Christmas, and New Year's present to myself (shoutout to December babies!). I will not gush, but the pearlescent boot and Italian plate was like a coup de foudre—or, love at first sight. I tried my new skates on the figure circles first and started adjusting to how responsive they are. There was a small learning curve, but everything was easier. Everything was easier: carriage, speed, edges. I wondered how my progress would have been if I'd bought them six months before when I started. I hadn't known then that I would progress and join Roller Louisiane as a competitive member athlete. It has been really incredible learning the small ways to upgrade my skates, with the sage guidance of our knowledgeable coach, of course. For example, changing my bearings and wheels made such a difference, that for five minutes I just skated around the floor marveling at the glide. I clean the wheels once a week and learned the hard way that you need to wear book covers if you are training dance and your partner has black boots. I look forward to expanding my collection as I compete in new disciplines. Until then, I'll skate where I am.

Website: AmericanRollerSports.com Collective Name: American Roller Sports (ARS) Other Initialism: AARS READ ME - AUTHOR'S NOTE Roller Louisiane's primary and only discipline is [roller] Figure Skating, which is indicated on our club charter with USA Roller Sports (USARS). This resource article is public—meaning, it can be read and referenced by anyone—and covers the style, rules, and requirements of an organization named American Roller Sports (ARS). Per ARS's framework, roller figure skating is called Artistic Skating, hence the seemingly erroneous use of a new initialism, AARS, which stands for the discipline known through them as American Artistic Roller Skating. Currently, there is very little information about their organization via their website, so if any errors are made, they are unintentional. Therefore, you are encouraged to leave a comment below and substantiate your correction with a web resource (link). ABOUT ARS American Roller Sports (ARS) is a non-profit organization that hosts select competitions and testing centers throughout the US for all four of its disciplines. ARS disciplines (4) differ from those of USARS disciplines (7), which differ from disciplines of World Skate (12). You can find the current Rule Books for all ARS disciplines (4) in Roller Louisiane's File Library and on ARS's website, which is and will always be the ultimate source for the most current information. To learn more, visit each discipline's dedicated page: Artistic Skating (AARS), Speed Skating, Rink Hockey, and Inline Hockey. ABOUT AARS ARS's Mission Statement for Artistic Skating (AARS) is found on page 1 of their Artistic Skating Rule Book. AARS style, rules, and requirements—collectively called their Rule Book for this article—differ from that of USA Roller Sports (USARS), because ARS's organizational interpretation of AARS, which affects their array of audiences, generally speaking. ARS and AARS disciplines and subdisciplines are named and categorized differently but can be easily understood and followed by readers who keep an open mind. This article will help, too. USARS & YOU When you skate for Roller Louisiane, you are required to become a member-athlete (MA) of USA Roller Sports (USARS). Click here to learn about and explore USARS's member benefits. USARS is our National Governing Body (NGB) in the United States. Unlike ARS, which focuses on domestic aka American style, tradition(s), relations, and affairs, USARS is responsible for both domestic and international relations and affairs, including working with World Skate, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), International Olympic Committee (IOC), and other countries' NGBs, also known as National Federations. You may encounter resources prepared and distributed to audiences in both contexts, for which you may see the term International Governing Bodies (IGBs) used for other countries' IGBs/National Federations. ARS is a US-based non-profit organization that is neither an NGB nor an IGB. ARS MEMBERSHIP & AARS MEETS Some local competitions are ARS events and some local competitions are USARS events. Roller Louisiane's MAs are not required to obtain an ARS membership because no USARS MA is required to obtain an ARS membership to compete at an AARS competition but we may explore ARS membership in the future. To compete at an event hosted and led by ARS, MAs are required to pay a one-time yearly fee to ARS ($10). You can typically add this fee ($10) to your first AARS competition's entry fees for the year. NOMENCLATURE KNOW THE SOURCE'S POV When reviewing ARS's site, PDFs, and AARS event pages, you're reading information intended for smaller, local, US-style Roller Sports events and thus a domestic aka an American point of view (POV). When reading USARS's site, PDFs, and webpages, you're reading resources for all POVs in Roller Sports— domestic or national and international alike. When reading World Skate's site, webpages, and resources, you're reading resources prepared for international and global audiences within the huge world of Roller Sports. AARS INTERPRETATION As you can see, organizations serve multiple disciplines, and each discipline houses subdisciplines. To make this cleaner and simpler, AARS's Artistic Skating Rule Book details the following subdisciplines of Artistic Skating: • Competitive Dance • Solo (1 skater) • Team Dance (2 skaters) • Creative Solo Dance • Domestic International Dance • Free Dance • Open Solo Free Dance • Open Team Free Dance • Figures and Loops • Youth Figures and Loops • Adult Figures and Loops • Freestyle • Original Set Pattern (OSP) • Pairs (2 skaters) • Precision (8-16 skaters) • Quartet (4 skaters) VOCABULARY: COMPETITION VS MEET Coach-to-skater, skater-to-skater, informally and formally, written and spoken, the terms competition and meet are used interchangeably and colloquially. Ex: "Are you going to the Memphis meet?" means the same as "Are you going to the competition in Memphis?" VOCABULARY: EVENT or EVENTS Meanwhile, you may hear before, during, and after a meet—and really anytime in your life when conversing with another roller skater—the use of the word event both written and spoken to mean something else entirely: Something more specific. This use of the term event is just an instance we have come to accept by living in the world of Roller Sports. Let's say two skaters shake hands and are having a friendly exchange: EXAMPLE (IMAGE) ARS AARS RULE BOOK View Full Version as PDF

Visitors, "member athletes" of USA Roller Sports and other National Federations and Governing Bodies of Roller Sports representing other clubs and disciplines are encouraged to join us for private practice from 8-11 am. A floor fee of $12/skater will apply. Please leave a comment below with any questions or comment below to simply give us a heads up you're coming through. #bienvenueWelcome to #LafayetteLA! FRANÇAIS Les visiteurs, les "athlètes membres" de USA Roller Sports et d'autres fédérations nationales et organes directeurs de Roller Sports représentant d'autres clubs et disciplines sont encouragés à nous rejoindre pour une pratique privée de 8 à 11 heures. Un frais de 12 $ s'y applique. Veuillez laisser un commentaire ci-dessous si vous avez des questions ou simplement pour nous avertir de votre passage. #bienvenueWelcome à #LafayetteLA ! ITALIANO I visitatori, gli "atleti membri" di USA Roller Sports e di altre federazioni nazionali e gli organi direttivi di Roller Sports che rappresentano altri club e discipline sono incoraggiati a unirsi a noi per un allenamento privato dalle 8 alle 11 del mattino. Si applica una tassa di 12 dollari. Lasciate un commento qui sotto se avete domande o semplicemente per farci sapere che venite. #BenvenutiWelcome a #LafayetteLA! DEUTSCH Besucher, "Mitgliedsathleten" von USA Roller Sports und anderen nationalen Verbänden und Leitungsgremien von Roller Sports, die andere Vereine und Disziplinen vertreten, werden ermutigt, sich uns für eine private Praxis von 8 bis 11 Uhr anzuschließen. Hierfür fällt eine Gebühr von 12 $ an. Bitte hinterlassen Sie unten einen Kommentar, wenn Sie Fragen haben oder uns einfach nur mitteilen möchten, dass Sie vorbeikommen werden. #WillkommenWelcome in #LafayetteLA! ESPAÑOL A los visitantes, a los "atletas miembros" de USA Roller Sports y a otras federaciones nacionales y organismos rectores de los deportes de patinaje que representan a otros clubes y disciplinas a unirse a nosotros para la práctica privada de 8 a 11 de la mañana. Se aplicará una cuota de suelo de 12 dólares por patinador. Por favor, deje un comentario a continuación con cualquier pregunta o comentario a continuación para simplemente darnos un aviso de que va a venir. ¡#bienvenidosWelcome a #LafayetteLA!

Fr: La Marche Music:March 6/8; Count: 1-2-3-4 Tempo: 100 beats per min Position: Side B or "Solo" Pattern: Set Axis: 45-90º

In Lafayette, in Louisiana, and in USA Roller Sports. Brand New Coat Our 75x165 skating surface is sanded, a new "middle" line (rectangular center) has been added, a new starting line (races), and figure circles with a wider beginner's area (Gallery 1). Tonight, skaters from all over Lafayette (and Louisiana) will take to our [new] floor since we closed last Sunday. A fresh coat on a tight floor awaits you! FIRST UP: FLOOR LAYOUT - CLASSES VS SESSION (GALLERY 1) CLASSES For the first time in decades, class and club skaters of Roller Louisiane and Fun Nation will take to their very own figure circles and receive instruction in French and English on Figures they already know: 1, 2, and 1B. What are Figure Circles? Figure circles are 3 circles, each 6 meters wide (19ft, 10 1/4 inches), connected together. They teach us to stand, roll, turn, spin, and skate with little effort. They are the oldest discipline in roller sports. Here's how we did it: Schedule: • Classes 4:45-6 PM • Session 6-8 PM • Derby 8-9:30 PM (Private practice) Let's roll, #ViveLaLouisiane!