Skate sailing
Encyclopedia
Skate sailing is a sport
where people on skates are propelled by a sail
. Traditionally ice skate
s are used, but other kinds, such as roller skates can also be used.
Skate sailing is using a sail and the wind
to propel yourself across any relatively flat, hard surface. Skate sailing can be done in summer on roller blades, roller skis
, cross skates, etc. Winter sailing can be enjoyed on downhill skis, snow blades, ice skates, basically anything that slides. You just need the wind, a sail, and a surface to slide or roll on, and you'll be skate sailing.
Skate sailing is not a new sport. Drawings of skaters holding sails in Europe
go back to the 18th century or perhaps 17th century. Skate sailing does not require a lot of expensive equipment or many lessons. It helps to know how to skate
or ski
and familiarity with sailing
is a plus, but this knowledge is not required. Basically, to learn skate sailing, you learn to maneuver the sail so that you travel only as fast as you feel comfortable, and you learn how to stop. After that, it is simply a matter of gaining experience and confidence.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
where people on skates are propelled by a sail
Sail
A sail is any type of surface intended to move a vessel, vehicle or rotor by being placed in a wind—in essence a propulsion wing. Sails are used in sailing.-History of sails:...
. Traditionally ice skate
Ice skate
Ice skates are boots with blades attached to the bottom, used to propel the bearer across a sheet of ice. They are worn as footwear in many sports, including ice hockey, bandy and figure skating. The first ice skates were made from leg bones of horse, ox or deer, and were attached to feet with...
s are used, but other kinds, such as roller skates can also be used.
Skate sailing is using a sail and the wind
Wind
Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space...
to propel yourself across any relatively flat, hard surface. Skate sailing can be done in summer on roller blades, roller skis
Roller skiing
Roller skiing is a non-snow equivalent to cross-country skiing. Emulating skis, elongated inline skates, with wheels at the ends, are used on tarmac. The skating/skiing action is very similar to actual cross-country skiing on snow....
, cross skates, etc. Winter sailing can be enjoyed on downhill skis, snow blades, ice skates, basically anything that slides. You just need the wind, a sail, and a surface to slide or roll on, and you'll be skate sailing.
Skate sailing is not a new sport. Drawings of skaters holding sails in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
go back to the 18th century or perhaps 17th century. Skate sailing does not require a lot of expensive equipment or many lessons. It helps to know how to skate
Roller skating
Roller skating is the traveling on smooth surfaces with roller skates. It is a form of recreation as well as a sport, and can also be a form of transportation. Skates generally come in two basic varieties: quad roller skates and inline skates or blades, though some have experimented with a...
or ski
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
and familiarity with sailing
Sailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
is a plus, but this knowledge is not required. Basically, to learn skate sailing, you learn to maneuver the sail so that you travel only as fast as you feel comfortable, and you learn how to stop. After that, it is simply a matter of gaining experience and confidence.