Who would have thought trying to avoid falling over on a rock-hard seafront on a chilly Sunday morning would be so much fun?

Put a helmet on, grab a set of roller-skis and, surprisingly, you’ll find it is.

A dozen bleary-eyed people did just that when they took part in the new craze of roller-skiing outside the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove yesterday.

 

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With the 2014 Winter Olympics just around the corner, our own intrepid reporter Ben Leo thought he would roll up to see what all the fuss was about.

Combining traditional roller skating with cross country skiing, roller-skiing brings all the fun of the pistes to dry land.

Aside from one nasty tumble, our Ben was skates ahead of his fellow thrill seekers – but ruled out adopting the moniker of Benny the Beagle to rival Eddie the Eagle in any future competitions.

Yesterday’s early-morning bash was run by the newlyfounded Sussex SkiFIT Club as it looks to get the county booted up in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Russia.

It was led by cool-and-confident instructor Adam Guzda – a racing biathlon champion who has spent numerous years honing his cross-country skiing and shooting skills in Poland.

The participants ranged from sprightly youngsters with balance akin to ballerinas and other folk who admitted “Christmas has probably taken a toll on my fitness”.

But according to SkiFIT boss Lotta Sutton, roller-skiing promises fun and frolics – plus a good opportunity to get fit, whatever your size and ability.

For the talented, it could also lead on to participating in competitive competitions across the world.

Lotta, 57, said: “When competitors in cross country skiing events can’t train on snow, they use these types of roller skis to keep up their strength and ability.

“It’s also becoming a sport in its own right and there are talks of it becoming a discipline at the next summer Olympics too.

“With the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi coming up in February and Great Britain having a good cross country team this year, it could also lead to competing in competitions all over the world for those who are talented enough.”

The next SkiFIT sessions will be held on January 19 and 26, February 2 and 9, and March 2 and 9 at Preston Park Velodrome car park at 9.15am and 10.45am. Sessions cost £6 for 12 to-25-year-olds and £12 for over 25s.

For more details visit roller-skis.com/events/brighton-hove_seafront.