Fair Weather Skaters

If your winter starts to feel dreary by February, Miami's annual Great EsSkate recreational weekend is the perfect way to get into the sunshine for a couple of days and meet new skater pals.

The Great EsSkate is also a fund raiser co-produced by the local National Skate Patrol and Miami Beach police to support the victims of spinal muscular atrophy. A dozen or more Miami officers volunteer their weekend along with their motorcycles and cars to usher up to 400 skaters through the streets from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.

Imagine the thrill of flying through red lights, crossing bridges high over the ocean and rolling through dark neighborhoods within a sea of blinky lights. The organizers put out some great food and evening entertainment, too! Maybe these images from my photo diary will tempt you to join me next time I go, hmmm?

The Great EsSkate hotel backed up to gorgeous beachfront property. Our weekend weather was as balmy and picture perfect as could be.

Distances ranged from 11 miles to 22 on Saturday. We stopped often to grab bottles of water from the truckload that followed us. A police escort watched out for our safety both in front and in back.

Our skating routes ranged all over Miami Beach. We crossed bridges to and from the main island unhindered by traffic, though a drawbridge could have made us wait.

Dramatic water- and cityscapes bathed in sunlight were brought to life brightly clothed skaters from all parts of a wintry United States.

Ms. Liz hanging out with Kris Thomas, who holds down the fort and makes clients happy from the Zephyr Adventures Montana home office.

The Zephyr guides took a trip to see the Everglades. Our airboat driver was famous and well-informed. He has been making Hollywood movies with the local wildlife for years!

This 8-footer could be the next movie star from the Florida Everglades.

Key Biscayne, a very nice place to skate.

 

Other March 2007 Stories

Balance Lunges integrate a variety of key skating and fitness components in a single off-skates exercise. They’re a great warmup too!

What Level Beginner are You? - Identify your own learning potential before you risk looking like a geek!

Know Your Stances - Posture and foot positioning are everything when it comes to learning the basics.

Mastering Swizzles - Step by step, build up to the one skill featured in all fitness skating programs (great for speed, too!).

National Skate For Health Day - On May 12, instructors across the US will show newbies how skating is aerobic, low-impact, and fun.

  Get Rolling Skate School - My 2007 learning opportunities range from Bay Area lessons to a mini camp and tour in Florida.  

Ojai Valley Trail, South - Enjoy fantastic vistas skating the converted rail-trail next to the Ventura River.

Skater Crossing - Online destinations where skaters congregate and find information.