Background
Artistic roller-skating falls into three natural categories.

• Free Skating for men, boys, ladies and girls. This requires solo skating performances of spins and jumps with intricate steps linking all the highlights to music of the skater’s choice.
• Roller Dancing usually with a partner where couples perform rhythmic movements and set down steps to music.
• Pair Skating that is performed by couples and involves a combination of ballet and acrobatic movements to music.

History
Roller-skating is a sport developed in the 1870's as a result of the gentry of that time trying to find an alternative to ice-skating and the lack of ice to enjoy their skating. There were numerous skating competitions starting in the 1880's the first Championship being held in 1908. The original governing body of the sport was formed in 1879. It was the National Skating Association of Gt. Britain. A derivative of that organisation exists today called the Federation of Artistic Roller Skating and is based in Ipswich.

Facilities and Equipment
There are very few roller rinks in the United Kingdom. For various reasons the development of specific locations has suffered from the fashion of various periods throughout the history where roller-skating has come and gone as an "in" recreation. Currently most activities take place at sports centres and usually organised by roller skating clubs who are affiliated to the Federation.

Artistic roller-skating can only be performed on traditional four wheeled skates as the present in-line skate cannot be steered or controlled to the extent of the original design known today as "quads". This type of skate today is very sophisticated and requires considerable skill to control it to perform the very intricate movements and directional changes to perfect the one-footed turns, jumps and spins.

Most Clubs offer beginner sessions to "starter" skaters and have facilities to help those first steps across the rink. From there on it is possible to learn and practise the movements with likelihood of participating in competitions and taking the many proficiency tests organised by the Federation.

Benefits of Participating
To learn to master the control of a roller skate is a big challenge. It can be great fun and due to the present sports structure within the Club atmosphere, it is possible to meet many friends. There are no age barriers; families can enjoy the activities throughout the country. There are organised many recreational sessions by clubs and opportunities to participate in team events that can be great fun.

Variations
The sport has a full international schedule of events, apart from British Championships for the various ages of skaters, there are European and World Championships and competitions held every year.