Skating Santa’s - Instructor Asha
Saturday 16th December 2006. Central London. 350+ Skating Santas.
Did you see us go by? Were you lucky enough to be part of the best Xmas spirit event London had to offer? This was the finale to a fantastic year of street skates run by London’s dedicated teams of marshals and skaters, providing safe skating for hundreds of skaters on London’s street skates. London has more official street skates than any other city in the world. The Wednesday night skate www.Londonskate.com, the London Friday night skate and the Sunday Stroll (both at www.lfns.co.uk).
The Santa skate was a fun, fundraiser for the LondonSkate as for years the Wednesday night skate has run as a free event, with costs coming out of organizers pockets. The £10 entry fee to the Santa Skate (which gave us our Santa suits, hats and beards) will help provide walkie talkies, batteries, fluoro vests and of course updating the brilliant mobile music bikes (and music backpacks). A huge thanks to Anya and Pope for their massive input as well as of course all the marshals from all skates whose efforts, skills and fitness are appreciated by all.
‘What is it you are doing?’ is a common question from spectators of the street skates. We are using the city in a way to promote skating as a viable health and fitness option for adults of all ages and walks of life. The police are informed of our routes and our marshals are well trained and experienced at guiding the skate safely through the streets of London causing as little disruption as possible. Skating in London’s parks is severely restricted, so street skating is a way of getting lots of miles under your wheels, as well as being a great way to see the city.
As Manager of Skatefresh skateschool I am not a regular street skater as I am usually running our popular ‘Intro to street skating’ course and am always teaching during weekends. However, this means that when I do go on a street skate I am overwhelmed by the positive attitude of all skaters, the friendliness and sense of community we all share and the sense of wonder we impart to non-skaters watching from the pavements. The Santa Skate was indeed a spectacle to behold. At the front Rudolph (aka Roger) led the sexi reindeers where Skatefresh’s very own Linda was to be seen dancing and prancing. Behind the reindeer Santa’s sleigh (aka the music bike) was decked out with pressies and followed by the mass Santas. The lack of Santa’s traditional big belly is testament to how good skating is for you!
All along the central London route, Saturday shoppers were aghast at the sight. I have never seen so many cameras taking pictures in all my life! Why does skating bring out such astonished reactions? Is it the sense of innocence that we associate with skating and then the contradiction that this skating group are obviously not kids! Who knows. What I do know is that a lot of happiness was spread, and hopefully more people will consider rollerblading as something they could do in the future. If you don’t believe us, why not try our 5 week Beginner to Street skater course which promises to take you on a street skate by the 5th week. Now there’s a challenge for a new year’s resolution!
