Roller Speed Skating
There are two main types of competitive roller skating: roller speed skating and roller figure skating. This page will focus on the first type, roller speed skating.
In roller speed skating, the goal is to get around the rink, the marathon course or an obstacle course with the fastest possible time. According to eHow, the heel and ankle on speed skates are lower than on recreational skates, since this contributes to speed and manueverability. Racing on inline skates, which have their four wheels in a line as opposed to in two rows (hence the term "inline") is a popular alternative to racing on quad skates.
United States
In the United States, one of the main organizations that supports roller speed skating is USA Roller Sports. This organization sponsors the American speed skating team, which travels to international competitions. Its website has an ongoing calendar of roller sports events in the U.S. Besides supporting the sport of speed skating, USA Roller Sports also organizes competitions and training for roller figure skaters, roller and inline hockey players, and roller derby players.
Canada
The counterpart to this organization in Canada is Roller Sports Canada. They send skaters to events and races around the world, maintaining a strong presence at European roller skating events such as the 2010 World Masters Marathon Championship in Italy. Canadian skaters also participate in domestic competitions, such as the Canada Day Marathon.
Central and South America
Speed skating thrives in Central and South America as well. The Pan American Games, held every four years, is an important opportunity for roller skaters in the Americas to compete for their nation and increase visibility for their sport. In 2011, the Pan American Games will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico. According to Wikipedia, these games are watched with more public interest in Canada and Latin America than they are in the United States.
North American and South American roller sports have been in dialogue for a long time, however. World War II veteran Nat Bodian tells the interesting anecdote of building a skating rink for his soldiers while they were stationed at an air force base in Belem, Brazil. This was a refueling spot for American aircraft on their way to the various war zones around the world. The rink was built in an unused airplane hangar, but unfortunately, roller skates were not being made during the war. Bodian ended up being the only one who skated on the rink, using his old skates from when he was a teenager.