On the surface it appears that the PIC skate is preferred by ice
skaters, and the quad skaters hail the Triax alternative. In reality,
in-line figure skating is in a class all its own, therefore we must
choose the equipment necessary to achieve optimum results.
A new paradigm in the way we think about technique is needed
before we can honestly evaluate the differences in the two skates.
In-line technique, in my opinion, must be defined without a bias
toward roller skating or ice skating. For instance, will a skate
allow us to perform innovative and difficult moves that require
edge control and fluidity, making an apparently difficult move
look easy? Can it help make the move look beautiful, capture
excitement, with landings performed in near silence? After all,
these are the qualities that make skating the envy of all other
sports. So now, to the equipment:
My personal experience with the PIC Skate has been illuminating.
I have found that I am able to hold edges quietly, attempt edge
jumps with relative ease, and land jumps softly due to the rockered
frame and the front-mounted pick. Rockered wheels also allow greater
security. There is no sense of instability or threat of falling off
my back wheel. The pick seems to provide a safety net when landing
too far forward on jumps or spinning too far forward on my toe,
naturally correcting for any tendencies toward landing and centering
problems. Spread Eagles are great fun; I can lean way back and let
centrifugal force keep me from falling! I believe that the PIC skate
design has lots of reserve capability, allowing more interesting and
exciting inline skating moves to develop as the sport evolves.
About the Author:
Marion Ennis Curtis has been a figure skater since 1965, and
she is a United States Figure Skating Association double
silver medalist. She has been an instructor for 17 years and
currently teaches on a pair of PIC skates at a rink near her
home in Los Osos California. Marion contributed several chapters
to Jo Ansn Farris' recent book, How to Jump and Spin on In-line
Skates. As an advocate for the development and recognition of
in-line figure skating, she is currently working for the
International Inline Figure Skating Association, and she
moderates the InlineJumpSpinners email group list.
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