Skating Facts

A 1999 survey of roller skating center patrons across the U.S. showed:

• The main reason why patrons go skating is because "it's fun." Following in a close second was "my friends go."
• 70% of those surveyed said they have had or have attended a birthday party at a skating center.
• A little over half of the respondents said they own rollerblades, while 41 percent own roller skates.
• 52% of those surveyed said they also skate outdoors.

According to National Sporting Goods Association Statistics:

• An estimated 2.5 million people participated in roller hockey (more than once) in 1999, an estimated 8.2 million in quad skating, and an estimated 24.1 million in in-line skating.
• In-line skating was ranked at the top of the list of sports with the greatest growth from 1993 to 1998, with a 118% increase in the number of estimated participants (ages 7 and older) in that time period.  Roller Hockey came in second with a 106% change in the number of participants.
• The number of youth ages 7 to 17 who in-line skated in 1998 was 15,944 (marking growth of nearly 600% since 1990).  Bicycle riding was the sport most participated in by youth ages 7-17, with an estimated 17,899 bicycle riders.  Basketball ranked third with 14,519 participants.

»The number of youth ages 7-17 who participated in roller hockey in 1998 was 2,002 (marking a growth of about 100% in 1990).

»Women seven years of age and older represented 64.7% of all quad skaters in 1998.

»Women seven years of age and older represented 52% of all in-line skaters in 1998.