Artistic roller skating is similar to figure skating, but with roller skates rather than ice skates.
Within artistic roller skating, there are several disciplines.
Free skating is the most basic expression of individuality on wheels. Skaters craft solo routines that include a mixture of jumps, spins, footwork, and choreography set to music. Competitors typically face a short program followed by a free or long program, each designed to showcase technical skill and interpretive artistry. The routines emphasize virtuosity and creativity, and, as in ice skating, the difficulty of elements can range from single to multiple revolution jumps and intricate spins.
In duo free, often referred to as pairs free skating, two athletes combine their strengths in jumps, spins, and lifts. This discipline requires not only technical precision but also a harmonious connection between partners. As the duo navigates their routine, their ability to mirror each other's movements and execute synchronized maneuvers plays a significant role in their overall presentation.
The couples compulsory dance introduces a different flavor altogether. Here, pairs dance with a fixed sequence of steps and patterns, ensuring that all competitors adhere to the same foundational movements. The absence of acrobatic elements, such as jumps or spins, shifts the focus to precision, coordination, and expression.
Artistic roller skating also includes group disciplines. For the quartet category, a thematic routine is performed by four skaters whose choreography emphasizes team unity, synchronization, and creative storytelling. The quartet format is reminiscent of synchronized ice skating, where every movement is interwoven with the team's overall narrative.
Club show involves a larger cluster of skaters performing as a club unit. This discipline generally emphasizes community style and cohesiveness, where the group showcases a thematic performance that often blends elements of storytelling with technical skating.
Style dance allows individual dancers or dance couples to perform routines to a musical medley with a set theme. A portion of the routine is often a compulsory dance sequence, but the majority is original choreography that reflects spontaneity and interpretive depth.
Solo dance resembles the style dance, but is distinguished by its format. Individual skaters are judged on a combination of predetermined pattern sequences and freestyle elements, creating a balance between technical accuracy and creative personal expression.
Disciplines like large show group and small show group cater to teams of varying sizes, allowing clubs and organizations to assemble extensive or more intimate ensembles that concentrate on synchronized routines. In these disciplines, the scale of coordination, formation changes, and creative staging all contribute to a showcase of team discipline and collective artistry.
At the highest level, artistic roller skating is governed by World Skate, the sport's highest governing body. Recognized internationally, World Skate oversees global competitions, ensuring that the standards of technical performance and artistic integrity are consistently maintained. From local events to the World Championships, it's competitions have become a pivotal arena for skaters worldwide.
In the United States, USA Roller-Sports (USARS) plays a significant role in promoting artistic roller skating. This organization not only governs national competitions but also offers a platform for skaters of all age groups and skill levels. The organization's structured programs and events encourage participation and skill development.
Competitions such as the Artistic Skating World Championships and various international series provide venues where skaters can push the boundaries of performance, innovation, and artistry. These events are a celebration of the sport's diverse disciplines, where competitors showcase routines ranging from intricately choreographed compulsory dances to awe-inspiring free skating programs.
Topics related to artistic roller skating or any of its disciplines are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
Founded in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2009 by Diana Sanchez, ARS has trained over a thousand athletes, from recreational to professional levels, and has organized showcases, invitationals, workshops, and social projects. In 2023, ARS expanded to Canada, and specializes in freestyle, figures, pairs, and show skating. Available are private lessons, semi-private lessons, classes, and classes for children, which may be booked online, along with a schedule of events, contacts, and an online store.
https://artisticrollingskate.com/
Imperial Artistic Roller Skating Club
Based at King Harold Academy School on Broomstick Hall Road in Waltham Abbey, United Kingdom, the club caters to skaters of all levels. Its program structure is tiered: the beginner tier focuses on fundamental skating skills, while the competitive tier challenges skaters with high levels of performance in artistic routines. Its coaches are introduced, along with its sessions, prices, an informational blog, the address, phone number, a contact form, and a gallery of photographs.
https://www.skateimperial.com/
Mile High Artistic Skating Club
Founded in 2024 by Coach Erin Gaber in Lakewood, Colorado, at Roller City, the club offers a premier platform for skaters of all ages and skill levels. Its range of programs includes competitive training, social skating classes, private lessons, and specialized instruction, with a focus on skill development. Its location, contacts, coaches, and artistic team are introduced, along with membership options and prices, products, gift cards, and an informational blog.
https://milehighartisticskatingclub.com/
Representing an artistic roller skating course and community created by someone identified as Alba. With over 25 years of personal and professional skating experience and more than 15 years of coaching, Alba utilizes the website to offer convenient, on-demand lessons covering a full range of artistic roller skating tricks and techniques, as well as online courses designed to allow anyone to learn at their own pace. The site featured video tutorials and downloadable guidelines.
http://rollskateart.com
Located at Semoran Skateway roller rink in Casselberry, Florida, the school was founded by Tony Berger, a certified Elite USA Roller Sports Coach for artistic skating. The school teaches the fundamentals of roller skating and then utilizes these basics to create art in motion through performance, including roller dance, figures, singles (freestyle), and advanced techniques. A mobile application, a map showing its location, and contacts are available on the website.
https://www.skatingschool.org/
St. Albans Artistic Roller Skating Club
STARS is a roller skating club in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England. It promotes artistic roller skating, offering coaching in various disciplines, including figure skating, free skating, and solo dance. Operating under the safety guidelines of the Federation of Artistic Roller Skating, the club caters to a diverse range of ages, from young beginners to competitive skaters aiming for national championships and international competitions. Photos and contacts are provided.
https://www.starsskatingclub.org/
