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Skating Newsletter Article Sometimes being able to earn money and write off expenses for skating just seems too good to be true! This was very much the case on July 25-28 when I attended Camp Rollerblade in Santa Rosa, CA. Packing up my gear the night before I left, I felt as excited as a kid.
And what a weekend it turned out to be! I knew there would be great opportunities for meeting new friends and learning new tricks, but what surprised me the most was the relaxed harmony that existed between two very different groups: Half of the participants were male, baggy-clothed, grommets (lingo for pre-pubescent aggressive skaters). In contrast, the other half consisted of recreational skaters of all abilities, mostly over 30 years old and about 3/4 women. Many were back for repeat visits. And everybody seemed to be having a blast!
I registered for the whole four days because, as I've had to confess too often recently, "I don't get out much" due to other commitments such as teaching beginners, holding down a job and promoting my two in-line books.
Beginners Vert
The first day, I quelled my fears and headed straight for the 10-foot vertical ramp. Donna Vano (you've seen her on the Extreme Games) spent the next three hours patiently teaching and demonstrating ramp technique to a Novice class, then Women Only and finally, Adults Only. With that much premium ramp time, before long, I was able to swoop back and forth between the sides by pivoting on my toe wheels to make my turn higher and higher up the transition, way up near complete vertical!
Skate to Ski
The next must-do class on my agenda was Skate to Ski, my favorite in-line pastime. Although we got to go off-site to a beautiful location in a hilly gated community, it turned out that I should have been teaching the class. The instructor was obviously a skater, not a skier. It was the only disappointment of the weekend, although the slalom creativity demonstrated by a couple of grommets was impressive indeed.
Wind Skating
I'd been waiting for years to try this out. Wind skating sails are rigged with light-weight padding at the low end of the boom. Once I learned how to brace that padding against my lower leg, and catch the wind with the sail, away I blew! Turning around is as easy as lifting the sail horizontally overhead, and then dropping it back into the wind to rest on the other lower leg. The moves are surprisingly easy, and so fun!
Speedskating
My next goal was to learn speedskating techniques. Pro skater Chris Kaiser put my class through a well thought-out series of drills that taught us how to begin a stroke from the outside edge which can snap into a more powerful stride. He also helped us gain confidence in drafting each other and skating in a pack. For me, the highlight of that lesson was leading the pack and then watching the instructor and another camper whiz by and battle it out for the final finish.
Just Plain Fun
By listening to Director Jill Schultz's hourly announcements, I learned new moves in easier classes, too. I made lots of new friends trying Urban Slalom (skating among cones), Jumps and Spins, Roller Boogie (dancing to some funky music), and Fitness Skating.
Even though I don't have the time or inclination to fall in love with roller hockey, I did a bit of stick handling and passing and receiving. I enjoyed the hour, and not just because of the cute French Canadian instructor... (sorry, Dan!)
Launch Ramp
I put off my biggest challenge for the last day. How could I go home without daring to skate off a launch ramp? First thing Sunday morning I hid at the end of a line with all the other first-time launchers. But the two staffers coaching us were terrific at dispelling our fears, because they stood just beyond the ramp to catch us as we landed. We learned that if you keep your hands forward, and your speed up, you really can launch safely off a two-, three- and even four-foot ramp! I still can't believe I did a 180 rotation on my last try! I decided to quit while I was ahead.
Camp Rollerblade provides beginner classes too, as well as skate and gear rentals and sales. Add skating through a shady redwood forest, touring a winery, an ice skating party, and excellent catered food, and the weekend becomes an unbeatable value. Skaters, you'll love Camp Rollerblade!
Update: Unfortunately Camp Rollerblade/Santa Rosa is no longer being run. For a similar experience see the Camps section of the resources page.
Comments or questions? Ask Liz