Roller skating is Belgian

discover :: the roller parade text dominique van nieuwenhove > Roller skating is Belgian Every summer, roller fans put on their skates to cruise the city streets. The Belgium Rollers Summer Tour is in its 4th edition and its success continues to grow. But this roller parade is primarily reserved for experienced skaters! Did you know that the inventor of roller skates is Belgian? Born in Huy, John Joseph Merlin had the idea, in 1760, of attaching metal rollers to a wooden plate. A century later, an American designed "modern" skates composed of four wooden wheels mounted on two mobile axles. It then took until the early 90s to see the first inline skates appear, equipped with four or five wheels fixed on an aluminum frame, itself attached to a composite carbon boot. Today, roller skating has many enthusiasts, whether practiced as a leisure sport or competitively. Very comprehensive, it proves excellent for toning the thighs, glutes, abs, and arms. But its practice requires perseverance. Regular training is essential to control speed and master braking technique. Falls are common and can be very painful. This is why the use of wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads is strongly recommended. It is also advisable to wear retro-reflective clothing when riding in the evening. Guaranteed crowd success for this sporty and friendly event that is the Roller Parade. Every year, thousands participate in the Belgium Rollers Summer Tour. Seven cities take part in the event. In Brussels, the parade takes place every Friday from June 3 to September 30. The meeting point is Place Poelaert at 7 PM. After an hour's warm-up, the ride takes skaters on a 20-kilometer route through the city and ends around 11 PM. In case of rain, the parade is canceled. Participation is free but is not recommended for beginners. Those who do not sufficiently master the technique can train every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at the Carrefour des Attelages in the Bois de la Cambre in Brussels, where free lessons are offered. Various activities are also planned to celebrate Belgium's 175th anniversary. Info: www.belgiumrollers.com