Roller figure skating is not as popular as ice figure skating because of the lack of media coverage of the sport. It is hoped that this live broadcast will increase the popularity of roller and inline artistic skating.
Richard Humphrey is a roller dance instructor and performer. His dance studio is in San Francisco. He has produced a series of roller dance exercise videos. Recently, he gave a live workshop in New York's Central Park.
The Central Park Skate Patrol in New York City gives free stopping clinics on how to use the heel brake. These free lessons are given every Saturday and Sunday from April 15 to October 15. If you can't get to New York City or Central Park, the Central Park Skate Patrol offers an online heel brake tutorial. Happy Skating!
If you can skate, you may qualify as a skating waiter or skating waitress at Sonic Drive-In Restaurants. I'm not sure if Walmart stores still hire employees that can skate through the store and stock shelves, but they once did. Also, of course, skaters make great roller rink employees. If you are an expert at skating, you may wish to consider teaching skating. If you have alot of energy, become an inline skating tour guide. Or...how about becoming a professional skating performer?
I don't usually share personal stories, but today, I have a personal story to share. About two years ago, my husband was in a horrible accident. He was confined to a wheelchair for about nine months. I didn't believe he'd ever walk again, and of course, I did not expect him to skate again. In this photo, my brother-in-law is attempting inline skating for the first time while pushing my husband in a wheelchair. The photo was taken in December of 2005.Since the photo was taken, little by little, my husband's body and feet have healed. He did walk again, but skating was not something he would try. When our family went skating, he'd sit and watch. Yesterday, we encouraged him to try to skate again. He wanted to try and skated for about two hours! I expect this is only the beginning for my husband. His trying to do something he thought he could not do will help him to try other things.
Do you have a similar story to share? Were you afraid to give inline skating a try? Did you try it? What has inline skating done to inspire or change your life? Please share your own stories.
Photo © Copyright JO ANN Schneider Farris
The 2007 Roller Figure Skating National Championships begins July 22nd and will conclude on August 5th.. The event is being held at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska.This is the first time this competition has taken place in Omaha. The best artistic roller skaters in the U.S. will be taking part. Both quad and inline figure skating events will take place. USA Roller Sports (USARS), the recognized national governing body for competitive roller sports in the U.S., runs the competition.
Happy Skating!
Have you ever tried to skate over a wooden bridge? It's really hard! Sometimes I side step when I encounter a bridge while inline skating. At other times, I take baby steps or hold on to the bridge's rail and "walk" across. It's also important to remember to slow down before entering the bridge!
