A free inline and roller skating workshop for beginners will take place on 26 September 2026 (Saturday) from 17:00 to 19:00 in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia. Extreme Skate Sports Club provides inline skates, roller skates and two instructors free of charge as part of the #BeActive Sports Village – part of the European Week of Sport 2026.
The workshop is open to everyone – kids, teenagers and adults, with no age limit. If you have never stood on wheels before, this is the easiest way to try: you don't need your own gear, and an instructor will be right next to you, showing every move step by step.
When and where is the workshop
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | #BeActive Sports Village and #BeActive Night of Sport |
| Date | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) |
| Time | From 17:00 to 19:00 (the Night of Sport starts at 18:00) |
| Venue | The area in front of NDK, Sofia |
| Entry and participation | Free entry, free workshop |
| Provided free of charge | Inline skates, roller skates and 2 instructors |
| Helmet and pads | Mandatory during the workshop |
What will you learn at the workshop
The "Let's Skate Together!" workshop is a short beginner lesson in which the instructors go through the basics of safe skating:
- Putting on and fastening: how to put on and tighten your skates so your ankle is stable.
- Helmet and pads: how to fit a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards correctly.
- Stance and balance: the basic position with slightly bent knees that prevents falling backwards.
- Pushing off: your first gliding strides.
- Turning: how to change direction under control.
- Stopping: the most important skill for every beginner – with and without a brake.
- Falling safely: how to fall without getting hurt and how to get back up on wheels.
The instructors will answer your questions about choosing skates and how to keep learning after the workshop.
Inline and roller skating lessons in Sofia during the season
The workshop at NDK is a short preview of what we do every week. Extreme Skate Sports Club runs regular group inline and roller skating lessons in Borisova Garden during the spring and summer season and until late autumn.
- When: every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 12:00.
- Where: Borisova Garden, next to Ariana Lake.
- Who for: kids and adults – beginners and advanced skaters.
- Gear: bring your own skates or rent them from the Extreme Sport store.
- Group: a lesson starts with a minimum of 3 participants.
Full details about the schedule and registration are on the Inline and Roller Skating Lessons in Sofia page.
⚖️ Inline skates or roller skates: which to choose as a beginner?
One of the most common beginner questions is whether to start with inline skates (wheels in a line) or roller skates (quad skates with 4 wheels in pairs). Here are the main differences:
| Criterion | Inline skates | Roller skates (quad) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel layout | 3–4 wheels in a single line | 4 wheels – 2 at the front, 2 at the back |
| Stability when standing | Narrower base | Wider base, easier to stand still |
| Speed and long distances | Faster, suited to long paths | Slower |
| Manoeuvrability | Smooth turns at speed | Easy spins and dance moves |
| Brake | Rear, on the heel | Front, toe stop |
| Best for | Fitness skating, park paths, faster skating | Recreational skating, dance, rinks |
At the workshop you can try both types and feel the difference before choosing inline skates or roller skates for yourself or your child.
Protective gear: mandatory for every lesson
A helmet and protective pads are mandatory at all our lessons and workshops. The full beginner set includes:
- Helmet: protects the head when falling backwards – the most dangerous fall for beginners.
- Knee and elbow pads: absorb the impact when falling forwards.
- Wrist guards: when falling, your hands instinctively reach for the ground, which makes the wrists the most frequently injured part of the body in inline skating.
Properly chosen protection lets beginners learn calmly, without fear of falling – and that is half of the success in the first lessons.
The #BeActive programme on 26 September at NDK
The events on 26 September in front of NDK are the highlight of the European Week of Sport 2026, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The week was opened on 23 September by the Minister of Youth and Sports Encho Keryazov, and the initiative's ambassador is Olympic karate champion Ivet Goranova.
| Time | Event | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | "Break the Limits" international breaking tournament | A breaking competition with international participants |
| 16:00 – 18:00 | #BeActive Sports Village | Over 40 federations, clubs and partners and more than 45 sports to try – including our skating workshop |
| 18:00 – 22:00 | #BeActive Night of Sport | Demonstrations, gymnastics, dance, martial arts, a roller show, music by I.N.I. and FYRE and a closing light show |
Entry to all events is free. The Sports Village is the best time for families with kids – you can visit the tents, try several sports and stay for the evening program on stage.
The European Week of Sport is a European Commission initiative promoting physical activity and takes place every year from 23 to 30 September. The 2026 motto is "#BeActive, improve your skills, win more", and after Sofia the week continues with regional events in Vidin, Berkovitsa and Dupnitsa.
Extreme Skate Sports Club takes part in the European Week of Sport every year, representing the roller sports federation. See how our workshop at #BeActive 2025 went.
