We've decided to run a regular column where we will get to meet an ICP qualified instructor, some of whom will be regular faces in and around Hyde Park and on the London skate scene.
First up we interview our very own Mark Davies, founder and director of skateinstructor.com, and one of only three level 3 ICP qualified instructors in the UK.
How long have you been skating?
About 14 years but seriously for about the last nine.
Why did you start skating?
As an ex-long distance runner I was looking for something that would be less impact on my knees and then, on my first trip to Paris, I was having coffee on the first morning on the Champs Elysees when a load of skaters went flying past me and I thought "That's the thing for me". Came back to London, bought a pair of skates, met Naomi (Grigg) the next day in the park and it all took off from there.
Do you remember your first day on skates?
Yes: it was about 14 years ago on Durban beach, South Africa, on a boiling hot February Sunday afternoon. A friend of mine had a pair and I thought they looked like a whole load of fun and borrowed them to try. I think I was still on them hours later and I also remember getting very sun burnt on that afternoon.
What skates do you own and what style of skating do you do?
I own 2 pairs of Salomon FSKs, even though they are in bits right now; a pair of K2 speed skates; a pair of Rollerblade Twisters, which had the frames from one of my FSKs on them; and a pair of Seba FR1s.
As a professional recreational skate instructor I'm obviously into recreation skating but I do have a passion for street skating. It's a great way to clear my head.
Any skaters you particularly admire?
There are many skaters I admire, from students that put on skates for the first time, to amazingly skilled skaters that do some awesome things on skates.
Why did you decide to become an instructor?
This is an easy one to answer: I love to teach! My students success is my success and that gives me the biggest kick!
What's the worst thing about being a skate instructor?
Bad weather! Freezing cold and rain! It's just nasty and puts everybody off!
Would you recommend becoming an instructor?
I would, and do, totally recommend becoming an instructor. It has to be one of the most amazing jobs there is and a whole load of fun at the same time.
What's your favourite skill to teach?
That's a more difficult question to answer but I would have to say that when I get complete beginners to skate backwards for the first time: the look on their faces is amazing!
Best advice for anyone struggling with their skating?
Easy: take lessons with an ICP qualified instructor and practice.
If you want us to write a "How To" for a particular skating skill please let us know by emailing instructors@skateinstructor.com and we'll see what we can do.
