| : Quite simple: The name "quads" was introduced by inline skaters to clearly distinguish them from inline skates when inline skates where new. Back then it was not clear if you referred to inline skates when you talked about roller skates (it still isn't. Most people imagine inlines when I talk about roller skates).
** Hmmm....where I am from, "roller skates" always means quads and rarely does it mean inlines. However, the younger kids, growing up now, have a little more trouble differentiating. **
: But like an Inuit doesn't want to be called an Eskimo (OK, the analogy isn't perfect, but I hope you get what I mean) but rather proudly uses his own term, I like to call me a roller skater and not a "quadder". To me it is an expression of having an own roller skater culture (and an older one at that). And I think having an own culture is important to survive as a group. We won't survive if we're not proud of our own culture.
** I'm VERY proud of my culture! And I love being called a "Quad Skater"! I hate it when people call me an inline skater or worse.....rollerblader!! **
: Just look at inline vert skaters: They are almost gone. I think that is in part due to the fact that inline skating was over-hyped and grew to fast. As a consequence, they didn't have time to sufficiently develop their culture. Wearing their pants above their knee pads is an attempt by them to distinguish themselves from other skaters, but it isn't enough to define an own culture. Rather, it's a bit stupid since they need new pants much more often.
** On this issue, I might have to side with inline skaters. I love that they have taken to the streets! It is a total self expression, like the early days of skateboarders taking to empty swimming pools! But, I've never fully understood why vert is not bigger for inline skaters than it is. I think this is in large part due to their mistreatment by boarders and bikers, after inline skaters paved the way for the X-games. They were the ones to make it happen, and then they were ostracized and discarded by the hipster poser skateboarders who ran things. In disgust, bladers turned away from them and turned to the streets. **
: OK, this was a rather long rant, but from time to time I just have to rant about the term "quads". Now I'm feeling better. ;-)
** I'm glad you did rant. This is an enlightening discussion. I think that there is a different perception here in the U.S., than what you have there. **
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