Further Education with Skating!

November 2, 2018 by Writers

Here at Southwestern Skate, we are a big proponent of education. That is why we are excited to announce that the 2019 Roller Skating Foundation Grant is open for applicants!

The Roller Skating Foundation Grant is a Roller Skating Association sponsored grant designed to support deserving schools nationwide. This year, the association is giving away up to a total of $10,000 to help educators, schools, and volunteers teach children. The money can be used to fund teaching programs to help reach educational or fitness goals for their organization.

All applications involving roller skating will be given consideration for the Roller Skating Foundation Grants. Winning applications will be awarded grants based on educational need, program priority, and the creativity of the proposal!

While the Roller Skating Foundation Grants are specifically for educators, the Roller Skating Association also offers a Roller Skating Foundation Scholarship for students.

And if you are an educator, make sure to check out Southwestern Skate’s Healthy Lifestyle Skating Program too! The HLS is a wonderful program aimed at getting children exercising while raising money for their school. Through the program, our Oklahoma skating center has helped raise over $4,000 for OKC District schools. This program is open to all elementary schools in the OKC District, and the program requires no charge from the school.

Get rolling on better education for your students! Contact us today at (405) 632-5484 for more information about our Healthy Lifestyle Skating Program and make sure to apply for a 2019 Roller Skating Foundation Grant for your educational institution today!

Celebrate at National Roller Skating Month at Southwestern Skate

October 4, 2018 by Writers

Fun fact: October has officially been National Roller Skating Month since 1983 and we’ve been celebrating every fall since we opened our doors in 1991! Over the years, we’ve had some great Octobers here at the Southwestern Skate Center in Oklahoma City, and we’re gearing up for another one as we speak!

Here’s How to Celebrate this October on Skates!

We love skating because it’s good, clean fun for all ages and it’s good for you too. When it comes down to it, the only wrong way to celebrate National Roller Skating Month is by not skating! The weather is perfect for a roll down the local bike path on your inline skates and it’s always a good time at our indoor skating rink. The important thing is to have fun.

Gathering a big group of friends and family makes the fun even better, too. We have lots of open skating time but if you have a big group or a birthday coming up, our private parties can’t be beat.

Cap it Off With A Halloween on Skates

Another great reason to celebrate National Roller Skating Month in October is taking your costume to the next level! Just think about the fun ways you can incorporate skates into your costume this year. Creativity can go a long way and we love to see our guests go all out at the end of the month.

Want to find out more about what to do during national roller skating month in Oklahoma City? Give us a call or roll by during an open skate!

OKC Fundraiser at Southwestern Skate!

September 7, 2018 by Writers

Southwestern Skate Center has helped schools throughout the Oklahoma School District raise over $4,000 over the last two school years. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to get in on some great fundraising for your school, too!

Signing Your School Up is Easy

So you want to help your school gain a little extra money this year? All you have to do is call us and let us know you are interested in getting your school involved in a night of skating, games, and fundraising. We’ll take care of the rest!

Simply let us know how many students will be participating and we’ll give you the details for your school’s PTA fundraiser event. Each event runs from 6 pm to 9 pm and only costs $3 per person.

Once everyone has signed up, each school will receive their scheduled night. There is no responsibility and no charge for your school and the day after your skate night we will send out your school’s money in the mail!

Make Money for Your School!

Fundraising at Southwest Skate Center is fun and easy. All you have to do is get as many of your students out to the rink and make sure they bring all of their friends and family. For every admission we receive during your school’s PTA night, $1.00 goes directly to the school. That could end up being hundreds of dollars that can be used toward field trips, school supplies, and more!

And don’t forget that promotion is the best way to get a great turnout. And a great turnout means more money for your school!

Renting vs. Buying Skates: Which Should You Choose?

August 3, 2018 by Writers

If you’re a regular here at Southwestern Skate Center, chances are you’ve rented skates from us. Renting is a great way to start out because you can try both quad and inline skates to figure out which you prefer. However, if you visit regularly, you may start to want your own pair of skates. Fortunately, we can help with that!

If you’re caught in the conundrum of whether or not to buy skates, don’t worry! We walk you through the decision below.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

When considering whether or not to buy your own skates, the obvious place to start is price! If you skate every week, those skate rental fees can start to add up. Investing in a high-quality pair of skates will be more expensive in the short term, but can save you some serious dough in the long term!

It’s also important to consider shoe size. For instance, if you’re considering buying skates for your child, you may want to continue renting until their feet reach a mostly stable size.

Roller skating is not only a fun, family-friendly activity, it’s also a great way to stay in shape, with health benefits for kids and adults alike. If you’re hooked on skating, you can say goodbye to rental fees and pick out a pair of skates that is perfectly suited to your skating needs and personal style. Just head over to our online skating pro shop to find quad and inline skates, equipment, and accessories from top skating brands like VNLA, Sure-Grip, Bones Bearings, and more.

12 Ideas To Keep Your Kids Entertained During Summer

July 12, 2018 by Writers

Summer has a few more weeks left to its name and we bet your kids are starting to get bored. Understandably, they’re used to being with other kids their age 180 days out of the year. So, how do you keep your kids from becoming couch potatoes? The team at Southwestern Skate put together 12 ideas to keep your kids active in the summer. Have something to add? Let us know your family’s favorite summer activity!

Build a homemade slip ‘n slide
Build a treehouse
Camp in your backyard
Climb a tree
Create your own outdoor movie theater
Discover new hiking/biking trails
Go to the roller skating rink
Host a water balloon fight
Jump on the trampoline
Plant a vegetable garden in your backyard
Play board games outside
Swim at the local pool

All of these are awesome ideas to keep your kids entertained during the summer. When they’re outside, make sure they wear plenty of sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat to cover their neck and ears, and polarized sunglasses to protect their eyes. These suggestions will keep your kids healthy and happy.

We won’t be surprised if your kids will literally jump off the couch when you suggest you head to Southwestern Skate. Roller skating is a fun activity that they’ll love and they’ll be getting awesome exercise. (And, if your child has a summer birthday, the roller skating rink is the place to be!) Check out our summer schedule and head to the rink today! Feel free to bring their friends, your family, and anyone else who loves a good time.

Be Cool at the Skating Rink

May 31, 2018 by Writers

Our mamas always told us to be polite. Next time you’re visiting Southwest Skate Center, whether for open skating or a party, make sure you’re following these rules of skating etiquette!

Go the Right Way! Make sure you follow the flow of traffic on the skate floor. Generally speaking, that means counter-clockwise, but sometimes that will change. The DJ will announce if everyone should be going the other way. Whichever direction other people are skating, make sure to follow that even if you’re going backwards. Dance and practice tricks in the center. Slower skaters should stay towards the wall.
Listen Up. Always pay attention to what the SW Skate staff tell you and follow their instructions. We’re here to make sure everyone has a good time in a safe environment, so we need everyone to agree to follow the rules.
Just Be Nice. Ultimately, good etiquette is about making everyone comfortable. Don’t cut the line at the concession stand or the bathroom, take someone else’s table, or steal items from people. Watch your language, and watch out for others, especially younger kids and skaters who aren’t as good as you.
Wear Socks! This may not seem like a question of etiquette, but think about it–would you want to wear a skate that someone’s bare, sweaty foot has been in? We don’t think so!

If you have questions or concerns, remember that our friendly staff are here to help. We love to roller skate and we want everyone to have a great time doing, so join us at Southwest Skate Center!

Why You Need to Book Your Summer Party at Southwestern Skate

May 2, 2018 by Writers

Parents, we know that summer can be challenging. Your kids are home all day, and after about a week of relaxation, they’re itching to have some summer fun. Skating at Southwestern Skate is the answer! When you bring them to our skate center, they will meet new friends, get great exercise, and much more. Discover the benefits of roller skating during the summer:

Fun Social Activity

It’s not uncommon for kids to lose touch with friends or not hang out with their classmates over the summer. This can be tough for kids since they’re so used to being with other people roughly 200 days out of the year. To make sure they don’t feel lonely, bring your kids and their friends to Southwestern Skate! Roller skating is a great activity where they can strengthen friendships or develop new ones.

Unique Summer Birthday Parties

If your child’s birthday party falls during the summer, it’s likely that you have pool parties or barbecues to celebrate. But, to mix it up, bring your birthday girl to the skating rink! We have an incredible party package that we know both you and your birthday girl will love. Skating is fun, safe, and totally air-conditioned.

Don’t have a birthday party to celebrate this summer? Book a summer sports party for your athletes or an end-of-school-year party for your students!

Enjoyable Way to Exercise

Without school sports, many kids become couch potatoes over the summer. You can get your kids to exercise without even realizing it by taking them skating! When they roller skate, they’re working out their leg muscles, improving their heart health, and burning calories all at once.

Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, or athletes to Southwestern Skate this summer! Contact us to book a party. We’d love to be your go-to party venue in Oklahoma City!

3 Ways to Keep Your Roller Skates in Top Condition

April 3, 2018 by Writers

Spring is officially here! In the spirit of spring cleaning, it’s a good idea to give your roller skates a checkup, too. By cleaning and repairing your skates, you are increasing your skates’ longevity. They’ll last longer which means you’ll have more fun and stay fit in the process! Consider these simple ways to keep your roller skates in good condition:

Air Them Out

Naturally, your feet sweat when you roller skate. When you get home or leave the rink, air out your skates to ensure bacteria doesn’t grow. Also, you want to give your feet the attention they deserve such as soaking them, changing your socks regularly, and wearing the right sized shoes.

Tighten the Trucks & Toe Stopper

Trucks and the toe stopper are two essential items to your skates. The trucks keep your skates stable and the toe stopper is your skates’ brakes. Both can become loose over time. Simply make it a habit to check both skate parts and tighten them with a crescent wrench. (It’s also important to check your wheels to ensure they’re not coming loose.)

Clean Your Skates

If you skate often at the rink or even outside, it’s likely that your skates will get dirty. A great way to clean your roller skates is to wipe them down with a damp cloth. This removes dust and dirt that could potentially clog your wheels and make it difficult to enjoy a smooth ride.

After you clean your roller skates, we know you’ll want to skate in them. Head over to Southwestern Skate and enjoy endless hours of fun. Check out our hours!

Boost Your Skating Skills

March 8, 2018 by Writers

You already know roller skating is fun and good for you, and you’ve mastered the basics of skating. If you’re ready to kick your skating skills up a notch, check out these next-level roller skating tips from Southwest Skate!

Relax! This is the first tip for a reason–it’s the basis of everything else. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll skate and the more fun you’ll have. Once you’ve learned to fall safely (check out these videos for tips), and you’re sure your skates are laced properly, take a deep breath and let go of your tension.
Stay Light. You want to be able to shift your weight easily from foot to foot, which means staying light on your feet. To make this easier, try two things. First, keep your knees loosely bent. You don’t need to squat, but you’ll want to get a little bit of depth. Second, keep your feet moving at all times (even if it’s just a little bit).
Muscle Memory. As you get better, you’ll want to stop thinking about what you’re doing and let your muscles take over. Music is a great way to help with this–and fortunately, Southwest Skate provides great music to distract your brain while your body does what it’s best at.

And don’t forget the most important tip: practice. Just like everything else, you’ll never get better at skating if you don’t work at it. Visit Southwest Skate to improve your skills–and maybe try some fun arcade games and make some new friends while you’re here.

Valentine’s Day on a Budget? No Problem!

February 8, 2018 by Writers

Did you know the average person spends almost $140 on Valentine’s Day? Coming so soon after the Christmas holidays, that can be a real blow to your budget goals! If you’re trying to save money this year, check out these ideas for inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Visit us at Southwestern Skate Center! You may not have thought of skating as a romantic evening, but that works out in your favor in several ways. First of all, it shows your date that you’re creative and unique. Second, it means you don’t have to fight the crowds at most restaurants. And third, it’s inexpensive! You’ll keep to your New Year’s Resolutions (remember those?) by saving money and getting a little exercise without sacrificing fun and romance. Ask the DJ to play your song, hold hands on the skate floor, and do it all without overworked waitstaff breathing down your neck.

Instead of going out for a crowded, expensive meal, stay in and have a picnic just for you two. If the weather isn’t cooperating, no problem; bring your picnic indoors! Spread a blanket out on the living room floor, light some candles, turn the lights down, and indulge in your favorite romantic treats.

Make gifts for each other rather than buying expensive trinkets. Not only are handmade gifts more meaningful, but you’ll save a ton of money that can be better put towards your future together. Consider a collection of poems, a hand-written love letter, or even a retro mix CD of love songs.

No matter how you choose to celebrate each other, remember: it’s the thought that counts. We can’t wait to see you and your sweetie this Valentine’s Day at Southwestern Skate Center!