It’s time to celebrate the end of the school year with a party! With the end of the school year approaching, deadlines and events are piling up and everyone’s feeling the pressure. Why would you want to add something new to the to-do list by throwing an end-of-the-year party? We’ll tell you why!

First of all, it’s time to let loose and celebrate! Kids, parents, and teachers have worked hard for many months and accomplished a lot. Celebrate your successes and reward yourselves for getting through it in one piece. Say goodbye to friends, share memories, and keep friendships strong by staying in touch during the break. And don’t forget that skating is a great way to stay active and fight summer brain drain.

A party doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Book your celebration at Wheels Skate Center and you’ll find we do all the heavy lifting. You won’t need to worry about setting up, cleaning up, planning activities, or providing food (except a party cake, if you’re celebrating a special event). Birthday party packages include paper goods and food options. For other groups, you can take advantage of our snack bar or bring your own food and drinks for just a $50 fee. Not many venues let groups bring their own food! Our packages are affordable and designed to meet your needs.

Don’t forget: when you’re planning a group event, early is better. Fill out our party/group request form and someone from the staff at Wheels will get back to you to begin planning yours!

How do your skates feel? Nothing will ruin your roller skating experience faster than uncomfortable feet! If you’re sure that your skates are the right size but still having some problems, you may be able to adjust the laces to fix them. We see a lot of this at Wheels Skate Center. Check out some common skate fit problems and how to correct them!

If you have high arches, you may find that the top of your skates press uncomfortably against the top of your feet. Relace your skates to alleviate this without sacrificing the stability your feet and ankles need.

If you’re having trouble with your heels slipping around, double-check the fit of your skates and the thickness of your socks. If you’re not sure about the size skate you need, don’t guess! Ask the staff at Wheels Skate Center and let’s make sure. If you’re wearing the right size, consider this slightly more complex method of lacing your skates to keep your heels where they need to be.

Finally, if you have problems with your toes, toenails, etc. you’ll want to try a totally different lacing pattern. It may seem a little bit crazy, but trust us–it works!

As with any fit issue, you may need to experiment to find out what works best for you. You might even find that you need to lace your skates differently on different days. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box to make sure your skating time at Wheels is fun and pain-free!

Since it’s still near the beginning of the year, let’s go back to basics for some Skating 101! At Wheels Skate Center we see a lot of awesome styles, but we want to talk about how to dress for the skating rink.

Lesson One: Socks!

Always wear socks when you roller skate. For one thing, it will save a lot of wear and tear on your feet, prevent blisters, and help your skates fit better, which in turn will help prevent you from slipping. That’s not all, though. The inside of your skates is already host to a lot of moisture and odor. Skipping socks intensifies that and can cause some pretty gross funk. Plus, are you renting your skates? We clean each pair, but do you really want to share skates with someone who doesn’t wear socks?

Lesson Two: Dress the Part

You want to make sure that your pants or skirt aren’t so long that they’re going to drag the ground–this is a safety hazard, as it could cause you to trip and fall and really hurt yourself. Fitted clothes will probably serve you best, and with all that exercise you’re sure to work up a sweat, so skip the sweater or wear layers!

Lesson Three: Pick Your Skates

Do you want quads (i.e. the traditional skates with two wheels in the front and two in the back) or inline skates? That depends on you! Quads are easier for balance but inlines give you better maneuverability.

Now that you’ve got the basics, come join us for some open skating at Wheels Skate Center!

Everybody says they want to have more fun, but how many of us actually follow through? At Wheels Skate Center we think the new year is the perfect time to stop making excuses and prioritize having a good time. If you’re having trouble convincing your shoulder angel to let down their hair a bit, check out some of our favorite excuses to have fun!

• It’s Good For You. You’ve heard the expression that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It probably won’t drive you crazy like it did in The Shining, but it is worth taking the chance? Blowing off steam will reduce stress and put you in a better mood.

• Life Is Short. People’s top regrets often include things like “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.” Getting together with friends, family, and loved ones is one of the most important things you’ll do in life.

• Celebrate! The major holidays are over, so what could we celebrate? How about lacing up your skates for an obscure holiday, like National Measure Your Feet Day on January 23rd? Honestly, though, you don’t need a reason to party. Just being with friends is reason enough.

Between our special events and regular hours, Wheels Skate Center is a great place to have a good time. Not only that, but if you really need to feel like you’re improving yourself, know that roller skating is good exercise! Gather your friends and family, put on some comfy socks, and come visit us as the skating rink.