Kids Skate Free Program Sets Record Breaking 1/2 Million Milestone

INDIANAPOLIS - June 18, 2015 - PRLog -- (Indianapolis, IN) June 18, 2015 – The Roller Skating Association International, the official voice of the roller skating industry, is thrilled to announce that in just three months since acquiring Kids Skate Free, a milestone record has been reached – 1/2 million kids have now registered to receive two free roller skating passes weekly for their participating home rink.

To celebrate this milestone, the 500,000^th child registered will be receiving a prize pack valued at more than $500, which will include roller skates and other incredible prizes donated by Pepsi, Southeastern Skate Supply, Rebecca’s Toys and Novelties, Riedell Skates, Rollerbones and more.

The Kids Skate Free program, acquired in March of 2015, encourages children to stay active and fit by offering them two opportunities every week to visit their local participating roller skating rink. RSA President, Robert Bentley, is thrilled with the program and its ability to spread the joy and benefits of roller skating to families around the globe. A rink owner himself, Bentley launched the program in all four of his rinks and was blown away by the response. “In today's era of technology and with a mounting concern of childhood obesity, the Roller Skating Association is committed to health and fitness by encouraging member roller skating rinks to offer free passes through the KidsSkateFree.com program. I signed up all four of my rinks immediately and already have thousands of parents who have registered their children - a true testament to the power of this program. It's a win for parent's wallets, children's health, and roller skating.”

A few fun facts about roller skating:

· 30 minutes of roller skating produces a heart rate of at least 148 beats per minute.

· 2x safer than school playground equipment, 3x safer than football and baseball, 4x safer than basketball, 5x safer than riding a bike. There are 400% more injuries playing basketball versus roller skating.

· Roller skating works most muscle groups in the body, including quads, abs, calves, glutes and arms.

· Roller skating 1 hour per week can burn up to 600 calories.

· Roller skating causes less than 50% less stress to joints than running.

· According to the American Heart Association, roller skating is one of the top aerobic exercises.

Parents who wish to participate may visit www.kidsskatefree.com and click on their state to begin finding their participating roller skating rink and register to receive free passes. If your local roller skating rink does not participate in the program, the RSA encourages parents to notify their rink that they would like them to participate by downloading the letter available at www.kidsskatefree.com and providing to their local rink.

About Roller Skating Association International

The Roller Skating Rink Operators Association was established in 1937 by a group of skating center owners to promote roller skating and establish good business practices for skating rinks.

Known today as the Roller Skating Association International, we are a trade association representing skating center owners and operators; teachers, coaches and judges of roller skating; and manufacturers and suppliers of roller skating equipment.

We provide our members with industry information, publications, purchasing discounts, national marketing programs, and an opportunity to attend educational seminars and an annual convention and trade show. The association also provides information for those who are interested in starting skating centers.

The RSA's membership spans the United States, as well as a number of international countries, and includes skating center owners and operators, manufacturers and suppliers of skating equipment, and coaches of artistic skating, roller hockey, and speed skating. Over 1,000 skating centers strong!

Our Mission
As the voice of the roller skating industry, we strive to promote the success of our members by providing education, professional resource tools, and fostering the advancement of roller skating.

Media Contacts

Jim McMahon, Executive Director: jmcmahon@rollerskating.com / 317-347-2626 Ext. 104

Lynette Anacker, Director of Communications: editor@rollerskating.com / 317-347-2626 Ext. 107

Sources: American Heart Association, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and studies done by the Human Performance Laboratory - St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, University of Wisconsin Medical School, and the University of Massachusetts.