In reply to samsimpson: I have a pair I use every now and again, the thing is they need a hard surface or the little wheels sink in. For training you need somewhere flat or up-hill, going down hill you just zoom down out of control. Using classic style you can develop a lazy kick as you just kick against the ratchet instead of pushing down to flatten the wax pocket before kicking back. I don't do much skatting, getting to old for that, but it would require a lot more room.
I tend to use an old railway line which is now a cycle route, I hardly ever see cyclists on it just dog walkers who look at you very oddly.