Matthew Denner: May 2008 Archives

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.

We have had a wonderful run of hot & sunny weather recently but occasionally, like today, we get hit with rain. Skating in wet conditions can be hazardous and cause damage to your bearings, but it can also help your technique.

Whilst we do not encourage people to skate in the wet there are situations where it becomes a necessity, like when you're already skating and get caught in the rain. Here is some simple advice on how to deal with rain:

The London Friday Night Skate & Sunday Stroll

The London skater community created these regular street skates several years ago. They are marshalled, where very good skaters block the traffic to provide a safe environment, and are absolutely free. The Sunday Stroll is a good street skate for beginners whereas the London Friday Night Skate is much, much faster! Run throughout the year these are a prime example of the community working together.

The Wednesday Night Skate

Run throughout the summer, the Wednesday Night Skate lies somewhere between the Sunday Stroll and London Friday Night Skate. With a relaxed and often loud environment, it's something to aim for as a beginner. Again, this skate is absolutely free.

The Santa Skate

If there is one skate to attend each year, this is it. Imagine 500 skaters, all dressed as Santa Claus, skating through the streets of London. Do a search on YouTube you'll see not only the skaters smiling and laughing, but the Christmas shoppers too.

Pari-Roller

Venture to Paris and take part in their regular Friday night street skate and you're likely to be one of 15,000 skaters! The streets of Paris are smooth, unlike those in London, and the pace can be quicker than the London skates, but the pauses are usually longer. Look out for the police on skates!

Tag!

skateinstructor.com instructor, and Club Blue Room manager, David Whitehead gets chased around London by bike messengers. If you can, or want to, skate like this then you should consider doing some of David's courses.

Naomi Does London

Naomi Grigg, recently rated one of the top 3 slalom skaters in the world, shows some of her skills at various locations around London.

Kompakombo.com

If you're looking to learn some of the slaloming moves then you could do worse than take a look at this site.

skatephoto.net

Mike has put together a fantastic skate photo site with loads of pictures of us. Thank you Mike!

There was a good question raised on our Facebook group about being shouted at by cyclists for using cycle paths and whether skaters are allowed in them around Hyde Park.  The short answer is that in the park you should skate on cycle paths rather than the pedestrian bits: the general rule of thumb is skate on black tarmac not on the orange/red pebbled bits.