Lind Arena

This was my first time with wheels underneath my feet, so I do not have much knowledge of roller skating rinks. However I can tell you this. They are overly safety cautious. It reminded me of Freddie’s mother off of iCarly. It’s somewhat dark. The rink itself is large in comparison to the room, so you don’t have much room to walk around. Also, the rink has as many posted policies as there are reminders of living in a war zone.
I paid the entry fee at the door (different price because it was a homeschool organization party (Ironically, I wasn’t homeschooled. I just know a bunch of them from church, so I get invited to their stuff from time to time.)) and went to rent the skates. The lady that helped me with the rental did not know what quad skates were. I had to literally say «the $ 1 ones» just to get them. Then she calls them «regular skates.» What is regular about them? From what I’ve seen before, blades are probably more common.
Anywho, I went to put them on, and they then announce the rules. One of them is «Don’t lean on the rail because it’s old and might break.» Uh, beginners need the rail to start off. If you are concerned about it breaking, get a new rail. Then, right as I get done putting on my skates, I hear that the first skate is a backwards skate. The announcer says, «If you are not skating backwards, please exit the rink.» How is that conductive for beginners?
When normal skating begins, I get on the rink. Being a beginner, I fall before I get to turn 1. So, after the turn, I start holding onto the wall. Then, I see a faint sign that says «Please do not touch the wall.» Again, not conductive to beginners. Also a reminder that it’s dark. How was I supposed to see a white sign from anywhere but 18 inches away? After that, I decided to exit at turn 3 and turn in the skates, deciding not to die.
So I untie them and tuck the laces into my shoes, like I have done several times at bowling alleys. I then go to turn them in and get my shoes back. Well, as I am doing that, I notice that some late arrivals are getting their skates. They are turning in tickets to the renters. I knew about the tickets. I just thought there was a raffle. So, when I get up there, I ask if they were supposed to collect them. He looks at me puzzled, and says «Yes.»
All in all, 2 stars may be a little generous. But again, that was my first time on skates, and it did not seem beginner friendly.