License To Skate: In-Line

One of the latest fads to hit the streets, in-line skates (those skates with four wheels in a line instead of in a rectangle) will surely be one of Santa's staples this holiday season. The latest entry in License to Skate's skateboarding and skating videos offers a comprehensive guide to in-line skating, with particular emphasis on the importance of safety. The video features members of Team SwitcHit, a gifted (and possibly deranged) group of young skaters who show off the hot moves possible with the skates, while Steve Clauter, the In-Line Educator for the Scottsdale Parks and Recreation Department, offers step-by-step instructions for skating, stopping, turning, and handling steps and stairs. The flashy editing techniques will surely appeal to younger viewers, while the stress on safety techniques and equipment will be comforting to parents. Too, in-line skating appeals to a wide age group. My father-in-law, who is a senior citizen (with the heart of a kid) is an avid in-line skater, and can be seen tooling down the residential streets of San Diego. (I've even considered trying it out myself, although I'm still pretty partial to sneakers as the preferred mode of travel.) Inexpensive, informative, and a guaranteed mover, License to Skate: In-Line is highly recommended. (Available from: Pantheon Home Video, 6325 N. Invergordon Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85253, and Baker & Taylor Video.)