All things Great start out as an idea, a thought, a dream. The dream of the Great Es-Skate originated in the head of Larry Kaplan (affectionately called "The Sheriff"). With Beverly Hurff and Rick Short at the 2000 Philadelphia Freedom Skate, the Great EsSkate was born. The dream was to host the Philly Landskaters and other clubs, so they could get a break from the cold and enjoy the beautiful city of Miami. The purpose was to donate any profits to a local charity. We were expecting maybe 100 skaters. To our amazement, 300 participated.

Our charity was Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA is a debilitating disease that paralyses the muscles in the spinal column. Its the leading cause of death for children under 2. Ryan, the son of a Miami Beach officer, has SMA. Most children with SMA don't live past 3. Ryan is 4.

Since the charity hit close to home, the response was overwhelming from the Miami Beach Police, and the City of Miami Beach. They bent over backwards to help. Last year, organizers presented SMA with a check for over $5,000. For $55, skaters got 5 separate group skates, a Friday night buffet, a Saturday picnic and beach party, private party at Level (South Beaches hottest night club), and more.

Day By Day

Friday

By Friday afternoon, the lobby of the Seville Hotel (in the heart of Miami Beach) was bustling. We anticipated more skaters than last year and were thrilled with the nearly 700 who arrived. Sponsors manned booths; late registrants lined up for a designer Herbert Hoffer-print T-shirt, and a bag overflowing with goodies.

The first skate was at 6:30 pm. By 5:30 the front of the hotel saw nearly 700 road-thirsty skaters. After a personal welcome from Mayor Dermer of Miami Beach, the South Beach Friday Skate launched. 11 Miami Beach cruisers and 4 motorcycle units escorted us. Sirens sounded and lights flashed as they safely led the group through the streets of South Beach.

The route went past historic Fontainebleau Hotel, and through the streets of Miami Beach's art deco district. By 8:30 pm, we were back at the hotel where we were treated to a buffet of salad, baked chicken and pasta ...poolside no less. Local castle builder, Victor, erected a 6-foot sandcastle right before our eyes.

A few drops of rain fell, but it was not enough to dampen anyone's spirits. The crowd kept dancing to the beats of Dj Lance O'Brien while waiting for the first of 2 raffles. $15,000 in prizes were up for grabs: Zephyr Inline Skate Tours, Style Venture Tours, Eddie Matzger Clinics, Explore Wheels, IISA Instructor Certification Courses, a Romero Brito print, Limo rides, dinners at local restaurants, and grand prize of 2 round-trip tickets to London on Virgin Atlantic Airlines. After the raffle it was time for the downtown Urban Skate.

Fortunately, the clouds cleared and we started by crossing the Venetian Causeway where skaters could stretch and get a good workout. On the causeway you can view the most beautiful lights of downtown Miami. Miami Beach National Skate Patrollers who knew all the dangerous intersections safely led us across 2 drawbridges where metal holes, just big enough to catch skate wheels, could have caught an unsuspecting skater by surprise. Safety was the #1 concern. Unfortunately, there were numerous reports of one problem skater who insisted on skating recklessly throughout the weekend. This "skater" disregarded the drawbridge signal preventing the attendant from opening the bridge, and held up the whole group. I guess there has to be one in every crowd.

The skate took us on the winding streets of downtown then to the huge circular-banked fountain at Bayside. It could not have been more perfect as the remake of the James Cann movie, "Rollerball" was released that night. When it came time to return, the group headed back to the beach. We made it back; group intact, only losing 3 skaters. You may say that’s not a good thing but, if you know Sam Weaver you'd realize it is not unusual. Smiles were on our faces as Sam & co. hopped into a convertible full of female onlookers and took off.

Saturday

Saturday morning was the MoJo skate. We departed at 9:30am with our entourage of Miami Beach Police cruisers. We were to go through 3 municipalities and pick up Miami and Key Biscayne patrols. Three miles out we approached the first drawbridge which was in the up position. I called to the attendant asking her what was wrong. "Es brokeng," she replied with a heavy accent. Now what? After a few phone calls, we were on our way over the beautiful McArthur Causeway skating past the port of Miami, lined with it's huge fleet of cruise ships. Thanks to Larry, who thought of everything, we avoided a major crisis.

Finally skating in downtown Miami, headed for our tropical island picnic on Key Biscayne we passed the American Airlines Arena, and a huge marquee sign that flashed “Welcome Great Es-skaters.” The threat of rain lingered as we approached the Key. A phone call to Donna Mama, 4 miles away at the park let us know it was pouring there! We headed for shelter under the Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge 1/2 mile away. On our way an airplane pulling a sign again said "Welcome Great Es-skaters." The plane was donated by Life O2 our water supplier who graciously provided water for the whole weekend.

During our 1-hour huddle under the bridge skaters learned new dance steps from Kathy McSparrin. Tunes were provided throughout the event by the Style Ventures van which was also the lead vehicle. “The Sheriff” arranged to have a school bus pick up skaters that did not want to continue on the wet pavement. The school bus took them directly to the picnic, where the rain had finally stopped.

The rest of us started the steep climb up the only hill in Miami, the Rickenbacker Causeway. From here on in it was a swift straight skate to the picnic area where we were treated to a delicious BBQ and beach party. It was organized by, the one and only Donnamama and Dixie Catering. Sponsors Nike/Bauer, Rollerblade, Salomon, K2 and Peter Glen Sports lined the entry to the picnic. There were skate dance demos by the Detroit team (led by Vivian Dawson), contests, an iguana tour, and the final raffle. We even had time to immortalize our “Great” experience with a group photo. After all the festivities the weary but adrenaline-pumped skaters were bussed back to the hotel to get ready for another party!

Damir set up a party at a hot dance clubs on SoBe (South Beach) with free admission and drinks from 10 to midnight. Skaters danced the night away, until 5am, to the sounds of world famous trance DJ George Acosta. Would we really be able to get up and skate in the morning?

Sunday

Yes. 10 am sharp, skates on, helmets on, only 2 more skates to go. The Sunday morning skate was more of a scenic and relaxing sightseeing tour that ended at an art festival in North Miami Beach. It was just a serene Sunday Stroll through local North Beach neighborhoods.

The weather cleared up, so some of the late night partygoers chose to relax poolside and soak up some Florida sunshine.

The final, and in my opinion, the best skate of the weekend had enough skate patrol volunteers to keep the skate going with out a lot of stopping. We skated through the heart of So Be, past the Bass Museum, Jackie Gleason Theater and Lincoln Rd Mall then headed out to the causeway for a tour of the exclusive Star Island and Hibiscus Island. Superstar Gloria Estefan graciously opened up the gates to her mansion, and allowed her daughter Emily to come out and wave to the skaters. Thanks again to Donnamama (Emily's skating instructor). We then stopped on Hibiscus Island for a water break and a choice to either do a 6-mile loop out the causeway and back or relax and wait for the group to return. Most chose to skate. The pace was set by the lead van as the skaters stretched out on the flat smooth pavement.

On the way back we picked up the others, without stopping, and headed to South Point for the final water break. There were 3 miles left to one of the greatest skating events of the year.

The success of this year"s event was phenomenal. Over $15,000 was raised for the families of SMA. It's amazing what can be accomplished by a dream. Thank you to all of the organizers and sponsors. Remember, "Dreams come at no expense unless you've dreamt your life away."

Photos © 2002, Scott Jones