skater

A skater is a person who uses skates to move on a surface. The term covers several disciplines, including ice skating, roller skating, and skateboarding, each with its own equipment, techniques, and culture.

Ice skater: an ice skater uses ice skates with blades and may specialize in figure skating, speed skating, or ice hockey. Figure skaters perform jumps, spins, and choreography; speed skaters race on short or long tracks; ice hockey players use skates as part of a team sport on the ice. Roller skater: a roller skater uses inline skates or quad skates and participates in activities such as fitness skating, artistic roller skating, roller derby, or aggressive skating. Skateboarder: a skateboarder uses a skateboard to ride and perform tricks on streets, parks, and ramps, with styles including street and park skating and tricks like ollies, kickflips, and grinds.

History and development: skating has ancient roots, with early ice skates used in Northern Europe and Asia. Roller skating gained popularity in the 20th century, while modern skateboarding emerged in the 1940s and 1950s in California and evolved into a global sport and culture. Today, skating is practiced for recreation and competition, supported by organized communities, clubs, and events across its disciplines.

Organizations and governance: the International Skating Union governs ice skating disciplines such as figure skating and speed skating, while roller sports and skateboarding are overseen by bodies such as World Skate, which coordinates international roller sports and related events.

Safety and culture: protective gear, including helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and proper instruction, is commonly recommended for beginners. Skating communities span from figure skating studios to skate parks and derby leagues, reflecting a broad range of skills, artistic expression, and athletic competition.