If you’re anything like me, you see the beginning of a new year as a fresh start. That means you may have already started making your goal list, vision board, or other big plans. If you’re a roller skater, or if you’re new to skating and eager to break in your new gear from the holidays, now is a great time to channel that “new year, new me” energy into something that actually gets you moving forward (or rolling, in this case).
In 2021, I took on a 365 Challenge, skating every single day for a full year. Some days, I trail skated several miles, and other days, I just rolled around my kitchen while making dinner. The key was that I kept showing up. That experience taught me that getting better at skating is less about big, show-stopping achievements and more about small, consistent steps. Setting skate goals isn’t about perfection — it’s about growth, consistency, and finding a reason to lace up regularly.
Start With Meaningful, Realistic Goals
If you’re tempted to write down something like “do a backflip on skates by March” (hey, do you, but that’s pretty ambitious), try focusing on realistic, bite-sized goals instead. Maybe you’ve always wanted to feel more stable going downhill, or finally learn to transition from skating forward to backward without feeling like a baby deer. Those are legit, solid goals. Specific is better than vague, and progress is better than instant mastery. Some other suggestions:
- Endurance Marker: By the end of March, skate continuously for 30 minutes without feeling like your lungs are on fire.
- Skill Milestone: Learn to smoothly transition from skating forward to backward by the end of February.
- Exploration Challenge: Find and skate at three new spots this spring: maybe a quiet parking lot, a local trail, or an empty basketball court.
Being specific and realistic means you can celebrate little wins along the way, and that’s pretty motivating!
Focus on Fundamentals Before Getting Flashy
Before you try working on complex footwork or park moves, it’s important to nail the basics. This could be practicing balance drills, footwork patterns, or simple agility moves. Then, work your way up to bigger movements. I’ve seen a lot of newer skaters decide to visit the skate park before they’re ready, and this could lead to frustration at best and injury at worst. Want to feel more confident at the park? Spend time on gentle ramps first. Want to look cool at the rink? Lock down your crossovers and backward gliding. Interested in beginning roller derby? Derby stance, derby stance, derby stance.
Regardless of the style of skating you want to learn, strength and stability exercises (like squats or lunges on skates) can help you find that elusive smoothness that helps make skating feel effortless.
Consistency Over Perfection
If my 365 Challenge taught me anything, it’s that showing up regularly beats waiting for the perfect day. Not every session will be stellar or groundbreaking — you’ll have some that are downright clumsy or just “meh”. That’s normal. Celebrate tiny wins, like the day you finally feel steady on one foot, the moment you roll over a crack without panicking, or the time you get all 8 wheels off the ground to jump over something. These small victories stack up over time!
Gear & Safety: Because Broken Bones Aren’t a Vibe
Goals aren’t limited to skills. This could be the year you upgrade your wheels, finally get a helmet that fits right, or commit to regular maintenance so your bearings don’t hiss at you. Feeling safer and smoother on your skates makes hitting your targets way less stressful.
Community & Accountability
Skating can feel like a solo pursuit, but involving others can keep you motivated. Maybe join a local skate group, find an online community, or pair up with a friend who’ll encourage you (and call you out when you’re slacking). Accountability can turn a “maybe I’ll skate today” into “hell yeah, let’s do this.”
Track Your Progress (Trust Me, It’s Motivating)
Keep a simple journal, use your notes app, or even just snap a quick video of yourself every skate session. Watching yourself improve over time is equal parts inspiring and validating. When you see how far you’ve come, it’s easier to stay committed. I documented my 365 Challenge by posting an Instagram reel every day. Choosing cool filters and music to document my skating videos made the whole thing even more fun.
Adapt & Adjust
Life happens. If an injury, busy schedule, or plain old burnout knocks you off course, tweak your goals. This isn’t about punishing yourself — it’s about enjoying yourself and letting your skating journey evolve with you. Goals should guide you, not trap you.
Let’s Go!
The new year is a blank slate, so why not scribble some skating goals on it? Whether you’re aiming to skate every day (been there, loved it), learn a few new tricks, or just feel more confident rolling around your neighborhood, remember that this is your journey. Make it meaningful, make it fun, and most importantly, make it custom so it keeps you engaged.
P.S. Want to keep track of your progress and stay inspired? Download my free PDF weekly challenge sheet — it’s a fun printable guide that gives you a different skill to work on each week! Feel free to modify it to suit your own skating journey in 2025. And, if you need some pointers, reach out to me to schedule a learning session!