Feature Article - Late Spring

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Late Spring 1998

~ Feature Article ~

Moving into the Fast Lane
By Jackie Seymour

If you're serious about skating, there's only one side of the Hudson River to be on, and that's the city side. Having been exposed to and motivated by a few of The Empire Skate Club's group skates, I tried to duplicate it on my side, the "other" side of the river. I posted signs in local health food stores advertising my night skate but instead of an overwhelming response, I got more frustrated and lonely. Many hours out alone is great meditative skating, but I was slipping into la-la-lazy land. Because I had only mothers pushing strollers to compare myself to, I believed I was probably one of the fastest skaters in the world. Ha!

My mind-set changed real fast when I moved to Manhattan. Now, holding a position for more than a couple of minutes at the way back of a hard-core, fast-paced pack of Central Park regulars is more difficult than I can handle. I am constantly finding myself on the side of the road doubled over, panting like a dog, shaking my head in amazement as the united pack gets smaller and smaller in the distance. Gratefully I know the loop brings the pack around again in a matter of minutes and I can jump back on for a couple more minutes of personal glory. Call me crazy, but this new challenge is exciting! I'd rather be the worst among the best than the best only on empty streets. I now have new goals for my skating and tons to strive for, starting with technique, then endurance and hopefully someday, speed. The learning experiences in the city are endless, as is the advice and encouragement from the better skaters. It's no longer about putting on my headphones and dancing a bit while I skate, rather staying low and pushing (not just with my toes) full speed ahead.

My concerns are no longer finding someone/anyone to come out with me, but rather which type of skate training I'm going to be doing that day. Will it be a group skate for fun with 30+, a killer indoor training with Jim Wright and Nick Esposito of Team Unity, or an outdoor racing clinic organized by Empire Speed in Central Park? And this is only the winter season! The theory of skating year round only in warm climates is ignored by New Yorkers. The layers go on, or the skates go indoors to take a spin at racing.

The most valuable lesson that I've learned about skating in a new location is to get involved with the sport immediately. Just get out there and become a part of the skating community: introduce yourself to the other skaters, volunteer your skills, offer to write articles for your club's newsletter, lead group skates, give braking lessons, coach a clinic, hand out flyers for your club's upcoming events. Whatever it takes! Skate in head first and don't put on your brakes until you feel connected, at least enough to get on a phone or mailing list for upcoming events. These are the steps I took to become a better all-around skater.

Join a club and become an ACTIVE member. In New York, it's the Empire Skate Club. Clubs offer every opportunity imaginable to hook up with skaters just like yourself, no matter what your level of inexperience or expertise may be. You'll always have events planned and group skates scheduled to fit your needs and aspirations as a skater, competitor or thrill seeker. Within an organization, you'll be exposed to all levels of skating in a fun and safe environment. If the club is well organized, it will send out a regular newsletter that will keep you in the loop. Liz Seward, Empire Speed organizer suggests, "If your club isn't currently doing the things you want, volunteer to organize them. If you build it, they will come."
Get on a mailing list. Regular or E-mail. Even if it's out of the area that you live in, you'll keep abreast of what's going on in the sport and you'll feel connected. You'll also get to know names, and learn technical aspects of the sport that will help you survive on the street and in the rink, from doctoring road rash to using your outside edge.
If you don't have a local club, go to the directory at the back of FaSST and start making phone calls. You'll be amazed at how helpful people can be when they're trying to get skaters together.
Call local skate/bike shops and ask if they know of any serious skaters in the area. You will connect if you keep trying, the effort will pay off when you meet a skater who will not only keep you company, but keep you motivated and committed.
Try indoor skating, wheels or blades. Two of New York's finest started an indoor training session this winter to promote the sport and help skaters become faster, while learning and using proper technique. Much to everyone's amazement it has taken off and continues to grow week after week, one more grueling than the next. I had never dreamed of skating indoors-- I barely knew how to do a cross-over, until a relentless Cheryl convinced me to give it a try. Now along with countless others - - I'm hooked!

Taking the first steps to get involved is sometimes shaky, because it's new. But everything is new once. Remember that skaters, by and large, are a friendly, motivated and dedicated group. If you're reading this article, you already know what I'm talking about. The only way these clubs survive is through a united, volunteer effort of sportsmanship and support that helps our sport to thrive. I am constantly amazed at the amount of time and humility that is cast aside to encourage and help other skaters. How many of you would stand out on Speed Skater's Curb in Central Park on a freezing cold Tuesday night waiting to pull together an organized training session? The Empire Speed organizers don't think twice about it. That's dedication! The skating opportunities available around the clock in the fast lanes of New York City are exceptional, as are the skaters who push to make them happen. It's great tobe a part of it! © 1998 Fitness and Speed Skating Times

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