I've roller bladed a fair amount, and have stroking down, but when l get out on ice, and try to stroke, my skate catches for a little bit, but most of the power is lost when the skate just slips sideways along the ice. In the past couple of years I've went ice skating 3 or four times, and every time l get the same result. (So l think that would eliminate the possibility of dull skates?)

Is this how it is supposed to work?

Is my rollerblading experience working against me?

Thanks,
-Allen
l was usual rental skates from different places.So It is not like l was using the same pair of skates.

If ur skate slips sideways, u need to have them sharpened. Test for sharpness by dragging ur fingernail across the blade (not lengthwise!). It should scrape some fingernail off. If it doesn't, the blade is dull.

Since u always got the same result, they never were sharpened (correctly).

By the way, sharpening does not mean using a handyman is bench grinder. Those have flat grinding discs. Ice skate sharpening discs make the ice skate blade concave, so that there r two raised, sharp, edges on each skate. Ice rinks usually do ice skate sharpening for $5 or so.

Your skate is not supposed to slip. It probably is because of dull blades. Rentals are so infrequently sharpened it is ridiculous. Even if you have used skates from different places, they are probably all dull. Try getting your own pair of skates, having them sharpened, and see what happens. Or buy a little hand skate sharpener and use that on the rentals, see if it helps, but they are so dull l doubt it.

no but that mean u need to have ur skates sharpened

rental skates are most usually dull and worn out.

if you notice your feet sinking inward that could also be part of the problem.

rental skates arent exactly the greatest, its not your fault.