Last Saturday’s Halloween skate in London was the warmest in many years and finally dressing up didn’t mean freezing your bits off (as is usual at this time of year). This is one of the best skates of the year as the skaters really do go for it with the dressing up, make up, fake blood and scariness. It is always fun to try and recognise who is who, especially those wearing creepy masks (but looking down at people’s skates is always a dead give away).

The route took us criss-crossing around central London providing maximum exposure to the passers by and tourists who looked as wide mouthed and surprised as usual. Half time at Trafalagar Square provided the usual opportunities to watch the slalomers. The two JBs gave a comical clowning slalom demonstation, a novel idea.

It was great to see so many Skatefresh clients (past and present) out enjoying themselves. I would estimate that at least ¼ of all skaters on most street skates have had a lesson with Skatefresh at some point (including some of the marshals) and as I skated around trying to recognise people I had many flash backs to when those same skaters were struggling beginners. I always find it very satisfying to watch some recent clients who had just started street skating, out there in the pack, obviously enjoying themselves and looking very confident. Some are even now going backwards which is a great feat which many skaters never get to.

One hazard I had never noticed before was skating behind someone wearing a cloak. As it billows out behind the skater it blocks the whole view in front of them and I realised how we all normally look beyond the front skater to check the road surface etc. I also realised how many skaters had cloaks that night, I was constantly trying to overtake cloaks in order to stay safe and have some vision.

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