2008 Great EsSkate in Florida - Photos and Reports

[Kathie Fry]

The 2008 Great EsSkate (http://www.skatemiami.com/) party skating weekend in Miami Beach, Florida has been scheduled for February 8-10, 2008. What is that event like? How many years has it been going? Are you planning to skate it this year? Does anybody have any pictures or stories from past events?

- Kathie

[Bryan]

Are you planning to skate it this year?

Already checking out plane tickets.

[Esk8]

The 2008 Great EsSkate (http://www.skatemiami.com/) party skating weekend in Miami Beach, Florida has been scheduled for February 8-10, 2008. What is that event like? How many years has it been going? Are you planning to skate it this year? Does anybody have any pictures or stories from past events?

- Kathie



For photos from 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, go to:

http://www.roadskater.net/

click on 'photos' on about the 7th line of text from the top, then scroll down through the years to find February's photos. If you were at any of the above-mentioned Great EsSkate years, chances are your photo is in there somewhere!

What is the event like? It's a warm, sunny breath of salty beach air in February when your life is otherwise miserable. All I have to say to anybody wondering if they should attend, is: Just go :-)

The event consists of large groups skates with hundreds of skaters, in warm Miami weather, surrounded by friendly people who have nothing to do all weekend but skate. There are a couple of meals thrown in, and on the Saturday night many folk go dancing. But you don't have to if that's not your thing.

One thing I love about this event is that friends I have made at Philly, A2A, BAR, etc., make the effort to fly or drive to Miami each February.

I missed it this year and I'm still depressed about it.

[streetsk8r]

This is sponsored by the shop that I shop at (skates, bearings, wheels, cleaner, etc.) - Fritz's on Miami Beach. I have asked -why no race? And they say it's too difficult. As this is my personal pet peeve, the lack of races, it really ticks me off. They have plenty of police aided skates with a ton of people and they can't squeeze a 10K or half marathon in there? I have not attended any of events because it is such a great way to promote skate racing - for recs, fitness, or pros.

Send them an email and tell them - ADD A RACE !!!!

[ldskater]

Also the reason for no race is, racing is not the prupose of this event. This is a social event. The people who come to this event don't race. You will see some racers at the GES but again were not there to race, we're there to have fun and socialize.

PS: Fritz's Skate shop is a sponsor of the event not the organizor.

PSS: If you want a race start one. I've attached some links below that give an outline of things to consider when starting an event.

Rollerblade Events Network (http://www.skatingevents.net/)

IISA (http://www.iisa.org/events/startevent1.htm)

[Bryan]

I'm at the reservation stage of the game right now. Jenn can't go because of school, so I'm flying solo. Anybody up for sharing a room at the event hotel Friday and Saturday night?

[Kathie Fry]

From the organizers of the 2008 Great EsSkate Party weekend in Miami, Florida February 8-10, 2008: On November 16 the registration fee will increase from $89 to $99. On January 1 the fee will increase to $120 and late registration (on-site February 8) will be $130.

Official Announcement:
_____________________________________

The Great EsSkate 2008
Dates: Feb 8, 9 &10, 2008

Early registration for the 8th Annual Great EsSkate will close in just three days. The price goes up on November 16th for the social/recreational/fitness inline skate event. Weekend activities for nearly 400 attendees include police-escorted tours of skater-friendly Miami Beach and the Miami area, a Friday night dinner with entertainment, a Saturday afternoon picnic, free nightclub admission and lots of other fun stuff continuing through Sunday afternoon. Additional registration information is available at www.skatemiami.com

Here's the deal this year. We are offering skate routes that are tagged for 3 ability and interest levels:

1) "No Sweat"; the tours are 5-8 miles, flat terrain at an average speed of 8-10 mph. You must be able brake and control your speed as needed.

2) "Hey I Got A Life"; for those skaters who love to skate but would like to have time to enjoy the sights and sounds Miami Beach has to offer. The tours are 12-17 miles at an average speed of 10-14 mph. You must be able brake, control your speed as needed and be able to skate on various road surfaces.

3) "Bring It On"; OK, you came to skate and want to burn the wheels off our lead skater. Well you'll get your chance to show your stuff if you can keep up. You'll have a shot at tours 17+ miles if you can hang.

We are also inviting bicycle riders to join us, so if you have a friend who doesn't skate they can still join in the fun.

This year our picnic will be on South Beach, so you'll easily be able to skate, walk or bike to and/or from the Saturday picnic.

Hotel rooms for the Great EsSkate are available at the Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach Miami, 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Florida. The special GES rates at this hotel are for Thursday, Feb. 7, Friday, Feb. 8, Saturday, Feb. 9 and Sunday Feb. 10 at $139.00 + tax per night (singles, doubles, triples, quadruples). This is an excellent deal for Miami Beach’s “high season.” So don’t get left out in the cold.


Please contact the hotel directly at (305) 531-3503 x: 7121, email: reservations@continentalsouthbeach.com, Fax: 305-531-2803. All reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card and you must identify yourself as attending The Great EsSkate by using the Group CODE: G/SKAT/0207 for the discounted rate (you can only get the discounted rate by providing this code number at the time of reservation). 1 room night + tax prepayment is guaranteed at the time of reservation.

Our primary charity is now the Miami Beach Police Athletic League (PAL) PAL is a youth–crime-prevention program that uses educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. Studies have shown a kid who gets to know and respect police officers on the ball field, in the gym or in a classroom is more likely to respect the laws those police officers enforce. The positive relationships that grow out of PAL benefit the youth, the police officer, the neighborhood and society in general.


It’s not just a skating event but a chance to partner with the South Florida law enforcement community and to have a positive impact on today’s kids and tomorrow’s society

Please feel free to forward this note to your skating friends and clubs to they'll be able to take advantage of the early registration price.
_____________________________

[Bryan]

Five weeks to go…

I hope to meet the entire SkateLog Florida contingent. (I also hope to hang for all five skates!)

[Birgit]

Weather forecast for Miami Beach for this weekend.

Low 80's and 10-30% chance of showers :smile:

I'm sure you can still get a "last minute ticket to the beach" if not I'll take lots of pictures and share with the board.

Have a great weekend! I know I'm going to have loads of fun, ohh and BTW on my way down there I'll be skating some time on the banked track at Brian Piccolo Park, tried that once before, that was too much fun.

[Bryan]

I’ll try and do a detailed writeup of how totally freakin’ awesome this past weekend was, but for now I’m happy just to have (mostly) worked through the photos:

http://flickr.com/photos/thelifeofbryan/sets/72157603891971266/

Still a few left to be tagged and titled, but right now I’m sick of looking at hot pink and sea foam green.

[ldskater]

Bryan,

Nice to meet you this past weekend. Always good to put a face with the all the writing although your face is your avatar.

More Great EsSkate pictures: GES 2008 (http://flickr.com/photos/ldskater/sets/72157603881338055/detail/)

[Bryan]

Nice to meet you this past weekend.
And you as well, kind sir.

Always good to put a face with the all the writing although your face is your avatar.
Yeah, but now you know that I don't always have such a goofy grin on it!

[sk8crazy]

I’ll try and do a detailed writeup of how totally freakin’ awesome this past weekend was, but for now I’m happy just to have (mostly) worked through the photos:

http://flickr.com/photos/thelifeofbryan/sets/72157603891971266/

Still a few left to be tagged and titled, but right now I’m sick of looking at hot pink and sea foam green.


Hey Bryan ... great pics. You got a good one of some of my skating friends from Toronto -- 3 guys. Don't know the # of the pic but it is labled "Dunno". One of the guys is wearing a blue tech shirt with Canada on it, another wearing a blue shirt & yellow helmet and the 3rd guy wearing yellow tech shirt. Yellow tech shirt is Richard, blue shirt/yellow helmet is another Richard and blue shirt/Canada -- that's Herb Gayle ... he's really well known in speedskating circles.

Sounds like you had a blast. We did it a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Think it might be on the list for another go.

Christine

[Birgit]

Even more Great EsSkate pictures (http://www.birgitholme.dk/skate/Great_EsSkate_7-10_Feb_2008/index.html)- what a fun weekend.

Organizers - Very well done!!:D

[Bryan]

You got a good one of some of my skating friends from Toronto -- 3 guys. Don't know the # of the pic but it is labled "Dunno". One of the guys is wearing a blue tech shirt with Canada on it, another wearing a blue shirt & yellow helmet and the 3rd guy wearing yellow tech shirt. Yellow tech shirt is Richard, blue shirt/yellow helmet is another Richard and blue shirt/Canada -- that's Herb Gayle

Thanks, got ’em correctly labelled now.

[sk8crazy]

Thanks, got ’em correctly labelled now.

Not a problem. Just to let you know, "another Richard" is also affectionately known as "the Mayor" in Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal skating circles. When Joel & I first started racing it was Richard who introduced us to many of the skaters in the area. He made us feel welcome at every race we attended. Not only us, but every new skater to the area, Richard makes sure that they are welcomed and introduced around. He's a really great guy!!

C

[sk8crazy]

Birgit ... outstanding pictures as well. Really, really makes me want to go next year.

Christine

[Birgit]

Not a problem. Just to let you know, "another Richard" is also affectionately known as "the Mayor" in Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal skating circles. When Joel & I first started racing it was Richard who introduced us to many of the skaters in the area. He made us feel welcome at every race we attended. Not only us, but every new skater to the area, Richard makes sure that they are welcomed and introduced around. He's a really great guy!!

C

The other Richard aka the Mayor is that the one with the yellow helmet in this picture (http://flickr.com/photos/thelifeofbryan/2258934596/in/set-72157603891971266/)

If so, then - yes he is a very great guy. Had the most great "banter" with him, great sense of humor!

And thanks, glad you liked the pictures!

[sk8crazy]

The other Richard aka the Mayor is that the one with the yellow helmet in this picture (http://flickr.com/photos/thelifeofbryan/2258934596/in/set-72157603891971266/)

If so, then - yes he is a very great guy. Had the most great "banter" with him, great sense of humor!

And thanks, glad you liked the pictures!

Yup, that's "the Mayor".

Christine

[Bryan]

Okay, finally got my GPS data processed and uploaded:

Friday Evening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqUlbtH67Nk

Friday Night Speed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWW3pyuu7ck

Saturday Morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovRf2k0_rss

Sunday Morning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjULy5JqeGg

Sunday Afternoon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clXZiom3V6M

[Bryan]

After three months of skating in thermals and gloves, this past weekend couldn't have come at a better time.

This was by far the best organized of the three events I've now attended. Obviously the registration fees make a huge difference here. They were able to provide t-shirts, feed us large meals Saturday and Sunday, follow us with a large truck to distribute water (and the occasional fruit) at the main stops, rent school busses to use as sag wagons, and (I assume) pay the city for the police escort. This was the first event that I paid to attend (aside from travel costs, of course), but it was well worth the cost.

Miami itself wasn't quite what I expected, but it was fun. I guess coming from Hawai'i I should be used to the idea that popular depictions of tropical paradise aren't always entirely accurate. The locals were very gracious towards us, and none of the half a billion cars stopped at inersections on our behalf looked annoyed by it. We received plenty of positive attention in various neighborhoods we rolled through, which is always nice. And the cops, they were just awesome. There are some downsides to a police escort however, such as (usually) being kept to one lane, which kinda puts a kibosh on the whole passing thing a lot of the time. But to be able to sail through every intersection? Totally worth it.

I wish I'd known the schedule when I made my travel plans a few months ago. I assumed it was similar to NY and DC, where the first skate is Friday night and the last is Sunday morning. Oops. There's also an early afternoon skate on Friday and a sunset skate on Sunday. Well, now I know that for next year. Aside from that little detail, the skates themselves were awesome. Great routes, and the police escort made for a very safe skate. The Friday evening skate was a bit unsatisfying in terms of speed, but that's to be expected in a large gathering like this. They estimated 450 skaters on that one, and although I haven't heard exact numbers, predictions were for the rest of the weekend to be even larger.

There was a late night speed skate scheduled after dinner that promised to leave those wanting more wanting a rest, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to hang. After talking with some of the locals, I decided to give it a shot, and I'm damn glad I did. I did some of the fastest skating of my life, got to experience a paceline for the first time, and most importantly, got some concrete evidence that while I probably won't end up on the podium at A2A, I can at least keep up with the middle of the pack without bleeding from the eyes. For me, this was huge. Very much the highlight of my trip. If you check out my GPS footage, you'll see that after finishing the skate, I made a little detour: I have never craved chocolate milk as strongly as I did then. Thank you, 24 Hour Walgreens!

Saturday morning was the longest skate, and featured a fair amount of bridge climbing. This was fine by me, as coming down them knowing that the cops had the cross streets blocked was a blast! There were a few bad falls on this one and a friend of mine passed out due to heat stress at the top of the biggest bridge, but in the end everyone was fine. Saturday afternoon was free time that involved the hotel pool and a drink or two. We then all did various dinners. I joined the Tampa crew at a German beerhaus. It was an awesome meal with a lot of laughs, and much off-color humor that I can't really repeat here.

Sunday morning was similar to Saturday, but not quite as long. I was actually disappointed when I realized we were nearly back to the hotel, as it seemed we had just gotten warmed up. Oh well. The highlights of this one were getting passed by a quad skater, passing two cops on bikes while climbing a hill, and the huge standing ovation we gave each cop car as they arrived in front of the hotel at the end.

Sunday afternoon was the Art Deco Skate, which is more of a walking tour on wheels: very, very low speed. But the tour guide was very knowledgeable, and we learned a lot about Miami's architecture and history. We also received a fair number of free t-shirts for answering inane trivia questions. So that was nice.

All in all, a good time was had by me. I met a lot of new people, got to put names to faces in many other cases, and even learned a bit by getting to observe (and sometimes chase) some more capable skaters. So thanks to all the other skaters, thanks to the Miami Police Department, thanks to Birgit for playing ambassador to a bunch of us out of town Skateloggers, and most of all, thanks to the organizers of this weekend for kicking so much ass!

[Jessica]

I joined the Tampa crew at a German beerhaus. It was an awesome meal with a lot of laughs, and much off-color humor that I can't really repeat here.


Naaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh I don't believe it!!! :p

[sk8rchic]

Hello everyone,

I have a few photos and video clips from the Great EsSkate 2008 up:

http://tinyurl.com/3br2d3