Best Inline Skating Intructors and Schools

[Kathie Fry]

Which skating instructors and skating schools would you recommend as being among the best, and where are they located? Here are some of my favorites. I have either taken lessons from these instructors, worked with them in other ways, or they have been recommended to me by other people. Note that this is not a complete list by any means... I am still adding to it.

AUSTRALIA

Andrea Winzor of Highett, Victoria
Phone: 03 9555 7988
http://www.baysideblades.com.au

James O'Connor of Sydney, New South Wales
Phone: (04) 11 872022
http://www.rollerblading.com.au/
(he taught me to skate off curbs and eat vegamite)

BELGIUM

Oscar Karekezi of Brussels
Phone: 0495 80 41 04
http://www.ganzaroller.org/

Johnny Grootaert of Gent
Phone: 09 231 56 47
http://www.rollerman.be/

BRAZIL

Erika Cordeiro of Rio de Janeiro
http://www.erikacordeiro.com.br/
(we skated Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches together and I watched her teach a children's skating class at a Rio de Janeiro Fitness Club)

CANADA

Barry Publow of Quebec
http://www.breakawayskate.com/
(speed workshops in Canada and worldwide)

Lorne Milne of Vancouver
Phone: 604-708-1055
http://www.inlineskatingvancouver.com/

Stephen Fisher of Toronto
Phone: 416-531-7600
http://www.geocities.com/fisherxc/

GERMANY

Norbert Demps and Kerstin Demps of Erding
Phone: (49) 8122-93621
http://www.inline-skate.com/

GREAT BRITAIN

Don Morton of Glasgow, Scotland
Phone: 07733 276 902
http://tryskating.com/

John Kirkham of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
http://www.northernroll.co.uk/

Mike van Erp of London, England
Phone: 020 3239 9301
http://www.londonskaters.com/main-ro...ons-london.htm

Naomi Grigg of London, England
Phone: 07867 848883
http://www.skatefreestyle.com/

Asha Kirkby of London, England
Phone: 0771 204 5133
http://www.skatefresh.com/

SINGAPORE

Emeline Tan
Phone: 065-97469699
http://skateline.tzin.net/

Felix Yoo
Phone: 065-97808381
http://skateline.tzin.net/

Jeremy Wong
Phone: 065-93379746
http://www.faithinline.com/


SLOVENIA

Franc Pirc of Portoroz
Precna Pot 18 6320 Portoroz, Slovenia
Phone: 973-471-0967

Men Se Rola of Ljubljana
Phone: +386 1 512 25 08
http://www.menserola.com

SPAIN

Escuela de Patinaje en Linea
http://www.escolapatinatge.com/

USA - ARIZONA

Ed "Fast Eddie" Wachter of Tucson
Phone: 520-722-7434

Kathy McSparran of Phoenix
Phone: 602-799-3206

Penny Wright of Phoenix
Phone: 602-361-6616
http://www.sk8right.com/

Simona Garbarino
Phone: 480)-570-3306
Phoenix Inline Skate School
http://www.phoenixazinline.com/

USA - CALIFORNIA - NORTHERN

Bernie Scoville of Sacramento
Phone: 916-447-8288
http://www.fortunecity.com/marina/an...nglessons.html

David Miles of San Francisco
Phone: 415-752-1967
http://www.cora.org/skate-rollerblade-lessons.html

Liz Miller of Danville
Phone: 925-323-0486
http://www.getrolling.com/

Phil Lenihan of Cupertino
Phone: 408-996-8302
http://www.lenihan.org/

USA - CALIFORNIA - SOUTHERN

Brian Gallagher
Phone: 888-880-7655 (888-870-ROLL)
http://www.skateschool.com/

Debbie Merrill of Santa Monica
Phone: 310-821-5489
http://www.skategreat.com/

Heather Lacayo
Phone: 888-880-7655 (888-870-ROLL)
http://www.skateschool.com/
(I took one of her beginning marathon skating clinics)

Janet Miller of El Segundo
Phone: 888-880-7655 (888-870-ROLL)
http://www.skateschool.com/
(she taught me t-stops and crossovers)

USA - FLORIDA

Katina Salafatinos of Miami Beach
Phone: 305-531-3430

USA - GEORGIA

Cindy Spalding of Atlanta
Phone: 404-377-5811 (404-DR-SK8-11)
http://www.bohemianskateschool.com/

USA - ILLINOIS

Carl Michael Rossi of Chicago
Phone: 773-278-0113
http://www.lhdragon.net/sk8.html

Thomas Grosspietsch of Chicago
Phone: 708-445-8608
http://www.teamrainbo.com/thomas-grosspietsch/

USA - MARYLAND

Jane Beech of Silver Spring
Phone: 301-919-2017
http://inlineclass.homestead.com/

USA - MASSACHUSETTS

Jennifer Staller of Boston
Phone: 617-782-8028
http://www.4wheelsinline.com/

USA - MICHIGAN

Vivian Dawson of Detroit
Phone: 248-474-7225
http://skatedetroit.org/lessons.html

Walter Johnson of Detroit
Phone: 313-378-3880
http://www.detroitbladingcompany.com/

USA - MINNESOTA

Noelle Robichon of Minnesota
Phone: 612-827-5283 (612-82-SKATE)
http://www.inlinelessons.com/

USA - NEW YORK

Joel Rappelfeld of New York City
Phone: 212-744-4444
http://www.rollamerica.com/

Paul Rankin of New York City
Phone: 917-881-0266
http://www.inch.com/~prankin/skates.html

Steve Kay of New York City
Phone: 212-362-6672
http://www.gogoweb.com/SteveKay.htm

USA - OHIO

Kristine Simeone Fondran of Cleveland
Phone: 216-371-2977
http://www.northcoastinline.com/

USA - OREGON

Nancy Hartman of Portland
Phone: 503-244-0830
http://www.portlandskate.com/

USA - TENNESSEE

Steve Larios of Nashville
Phone: 615-242-2115
http://www.asphaltbeach.com/

USA - TEXAS

Fritz Blaw of Austin
Phone: 512-554-4043
http://www.motorblade.com/

Gordon Sanders of Dallas
Phone: 214-537-7774
http://www.pegasusflyers.org/

Renee Coffman of Houston
Phone: 713-504-2758
http://www.reneecoffman.com/

Richard Littrell of Austin
Phone: 512-659-0541
http://www.regalinline.com/

USA - VIRGINIA

Bill Hicks of Warrenton
Phone: 540-347-7915
http://www.proskateinlineschool.com/

Eddy Matzger of Floyd Virginia
http://www.skatecentral.com/
(speed workshops in Virginia and worldwide)

Krista Heubusch of Fairfax Station
Phone: 703-385-8155
http://www.skatersquest.com/

USA - UTAH

Eric Kraan and Kimberly Simons-Kraan of Salt Lake City
Phone: 801-944-5516
http://skatenow.home.att.net/


USA - WASHINGTON STATE

Trish Alexander of Seattle
Phone: 206-276-9328
http://www.skatejourneys.com/

______________________________

Who are some of the other great inline skating instructors out there?

Do any of our forum visitors teach inline skating?

- Kathie

[Davey_Speedstar]

I have received instruction from both Mike van Erp and Asha (of SkateFresh) in the UK. Both are excellent instructors and get a +1 from me.

There are quite a few other instructors in the UK, and there is a growing emphasis on specialised sides of skating. For example:
Naomi Grigg teaches Freestyle slalom, and John Kirkham who teaches RollerDance in Leeds

[merlin]

For starters, I give Props to Naomi Grigg too....by all accounts she's simply the best there is.

A great coach I know of here in Melbourne Australia is Andrea Winzor. She runs www.baysideblades.com.au and is located in Highett, Victoria. Phone 1300 665 272.

[Bryan]

Well, considering that I just finished hanging out with Eddy Matzger for the weekend… I’d say he belongs on that list. I did the weekend roadshow in Greensboro, NC and am seriously considering doing a five day stay at SkateFarm in Floyd, VA. He is such a great instructor that he even helped ME!

[Kathie Fry]

A great coach I know of here in Melbourne Australia is Andrea Winzor. She runs www.baysideblades.com.au and is located in Highett, Victoria. Phone 1300 665 272.

OMG of course, Andrea - how could I leave her off! She use to visit our Sunday night (for me, not for her) chat sessions occasionally and she was great fun in there. I remember she told me one of her instructors - at least at one time - was his royal hotness Shane Yost. Or was it the equally hot Blake Dennis? And then there's that gorgeous James O'Connor (off to find my pictures of him)... Are all of you skaters in Australia that cute???

(Andrea, my apologies to you if you ever read this post... you definitely belong on this list!)

- Kathie

[Kathie Fry]

I just finished hanging out with Eddy Matzger for the weekend… I’d say he belongs on that list.

Of course our Eddy belongs on the list! I only put off adding him because I'm not sure if he still lives in Northern California or if he completely relocated to Virginia. In any case, we cannot leave him off, so I put him in Virginia since that's where his skate farm is located.

- Kathie

[merlin]

Originally Posted by Kathie Fry

OMG of course, Andrea - how could I leave her off! She use to visit our Sunday night (for me, not for her) chat sessions occasionally and she was great fun in there. I remember she told me one of her instructors - at least at one time - was his royal hotness Shane Yost. Are all of you skaters in Australia that cute???

Yostie skates for Team Bayside - I don't know if he is a recognised instructor, but he is "related" to Andrea in at least in a peripheral sense, and has probably been involved in coaching in some form or orther I'm sure.

He's having a crack at speed skating these days; he's in the same Masters category as me and so we know each other fairly well and compete against each other regularly. I'm not familiar with the other two...probably because they're not from Melbourne, and/or not part of the speed scene.

And, yes, all Australians are that hot

[magixfusion]

Adapted for Singaporeans from: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/sh....php?t=1971493

Hey i just need to post some information on skating boo boos..
I would like to advice on 2 main shops and kudos to one shop.

1) Skate Line at Bishan Park 2
- The MAIN OWNER of this shop (the one who is always there and mostly the one who opens the shop) is very proud, unfriendly and rude. Only one thing will turn him nice.. You gotta buy something from him!

If you're there just for advice or asking him if you can try the skates, he will speak loudly and in a very heck care manner. sometimes even in a scolding manner. (i think this is important information for those who are new at skating and hate looking like some fool in a shop) *has costly repair service: refer to extreme bottom of this post.

Skate models are limited and even if there is a design, there might be no size for you. Once you really take out your money or card and seriously show him you're going to buy.. you'll see that he suddenly treats you very nicely and talks to you like a long lost friend..

My personal opinion: Nearest to my house.. good skates.. bad customer service


2) World Of Sports & Sports Link (a general outlook)
- shops have little knowledge about inline skates. Infact, dont say inline skates to them.. Say rollerblade. otherwise some shops would say they dont sell it.

Main brand on sale is 'bladerunner' for both shops. Customer service is good, and shops are quick to admit a lack of expertise in equipment knowledge. Their product quality on the outlook is good (meaning the box, blades etc look very new - skateline bishan's one is usually very bent and folded, you know it has been kept a long time).

There is a huge draw back.. Bladerunner blades are pretty average to bad on quality. It is common that they have bearing raptures or ABEC 7 wheels turning as slow as an ABEC 3 wheel. reason being due to quality check (either screws too tight, insufficient oil, bent bearing cover etc)

You dont usually see professional skaters choose blade runner as you dont get what you pay for entirely.

My personal opinion: Easily available.. average skate.. good customer service



KUDOS!

To be honest i havent been to many other shops. I will add them to this list once i can visit them and done test to ensure quality of service etc.

1) Urban Inline (EAST COAST PARK)
This shop guarantees cheapest prices for their skates. I found this to be true. I compared K2 brands with other skateline and another shop at the east coast park central area (nearest to the bike rental shop and beside 7eleven) their prices can be negotiated and stated prices are already lower than elsewhere.

Shop sells interesting accessories such as brakes, wheels, bearings, frames for inline skates. *They also have cheap repair service: refer to extreme bottom of this post.

HOWEVER, be very careful.. if you want to enter this shop to buy skates, no prob.. if you want to ask for advice.. I think you'd better come online. haha.. the shop keeper gives advice which sound super logical but if you compare them to online instructors and even skateline certified instructors, you realise his advice and logic are not the same.

My personal opinion: not easy to find this shop.. same skates as skateline.. super friendly and good customer service. They actually remember you the 2nd time you return.. at least they try.. haha

2) SKATE SPORTS - http://www.skatesports.com.sg/rental.php
This shop has very nice assistance and a really nice instructor. Friendly and items sold are on average prices. You wont find them too expensive or too cheap. you get what i mean?

Gives accurate advice on skating and helps you find your first skates a friendly way. 20% off for first pair of skates.

My personal opinion: Easily available.. good skates.. super friendly and good customer service
====================================
SHOP REPAIR COST
SKATELINE: COSTLY >> CHANGING STRAPS FOR 2 SKATES = $40.
>> AVERAGE WHEELS WITH BEARINGS= $85 (BRANDLESS)

URBANLINE: CHEAP >> CHANGING STRAPS FOR 2 SKATES = $24(ALMOST 1/2 ABOVE PRICE)
>> AVERAGE WHEELS WITH BEARINGS = $60(BRANDLESS)

*did not compare others.
====================================
SHOP LESSON COST
SKATELINE: RIPOFF >> $15 PER LESSON (LIKE DRIVING/MOTORCYCLE COURSE) FAIL ONE
ITEM IN THE LESSON AND REPEAT WHOLE LESSON. TEACHES ALOT OF
EXTRA THINGS LIKE STUNTS AT THE LATER STAGES. THEY EARN ALOT
FROM LESSON 2 ONWARDS.

TOTAL 6 LESSONS, BUT MANY BREAK UPS IN LESSON. UNLESS YOU'RE
A SKILLED SKATER GOING THROUGH THE COURSE, YOU'D SURELY BE
FAILING EVERY LESSON TILL YOU PASS EACH OF THE COMPONENT
EACH LESSON. HENCE IF LESSON 2 HAS 5 LESSONS, BE PREPARED TO
PAY FROM 15X 5=$75.. AND IF YOU FAIL MORE THAN ONCE (A SUPER
COMMON CASE, THEN PAY MORE FOR LESSON 2)

ON TOP OF LESSON COST, YOU NEED TO PURCHASE A SKATING BOOK
FOR $5.

SKATESPORTS: MARKET PRICE >> $88 INCLUSIVE BOOK FOR 4 LESSONS. 1 LESSON EACH
WEEK. WITHIN 4 LESSONS YOU LEARN EVERYTHING THAT
SKATELINE TEACHES EXCEPT FOR FANCY UNNEEDED MOVES
SUCH AS GOING THROUGH CONES, OR SKATING ON ONE
LEG WHILE LIFTING THE OTHER LEG UP FOR 5 FAST
CLAPS.

THERE IS NO FAILING THIS COURSE. THEY TEACH YOU
THE SKILLS, YOU PRACTICE. IF YOU WANT, GO FOR THE
LESSON AGAIN (THEN YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THE LESSON
AGAIN), IF YOU DONT WANT AND WANT TO PROCEED,
THEN GO TO LESSON 2. THEY WILL TEACH YOU, BUT IF
YOU CANT PERFORM IT, THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING
ABOUT IT. (I FEEL THIS IS GOOD.. YOU KNOW THE
SKILLS.. GO BACK AND PRACTICE! - WHY BOTHER PAYING
A LESSON 3 TIMES TO PRACTICE 3 TIMES JUST TO PASS
TO LEARN ANOTHER THING)

URBAN INLINE: MARKET PRICE >> $75 NO BOOKLET. SAME AS SKATESPORTS. TEACH WHAT
IS NECESSARY IN FOUR LESSONS. SO FAR LESSONS ARE
NOT THAT POPULAR AS ITS QUITE INACCESSIBLE (AT PIT
ONE OF EAST COAST PARK)

SISTC: SINGAPORE INLINE SKATING TRAINING CENTER: VERY COSTLY
>> $120 FOR 4 LESSONS.
http://shops.st701.com/shops/view/21137
TEACH WHAT URBAN INLINE TEACHES. SELLS SKATES AS
CHEAP AS $60..
I PERSONALLY DONT TRUST THIS SHOP.. THATS MY
OPINION
=============================================
Yeah.. i think i've stated it easy for inline skaters to understand where and which shop to go to buy things.

Wanna find out more? let me know.. ^^ i love finding out about sports i like..

take care.. God bless ^^

[BWI-Sheldon]

I'm going to go out on a limb and self anoint myself as an outdoor speed skating instructor if you are in the Baltimore metro area and want to get into speed skating, I'll work with you. Yeah I might be a pompus, ego inflated, pretend to be know-it-all, but I don't see anyone else in this area stepping up to the plate.

[Aussie skater]

Oh ah, imagine my delight when opening this page to se my name right at the top of the list! It has been quite while since I have been to the Monday afternoon (for me) chat room. Starting a business curbed all of that!

After 15 years of skating and over 6 years instructing, I still get a big kick out of teaching. My specialty is adults as I understand the fears that adults go though as I can relate that having started skating as an adult! I have only stayed at Level 1 with the ICP certification and feel that I have more than enough skills to get people skating with safety for themselves and safety of others. More recently, I gained qualification as a Level 1 Speed skating coach but at the moment, I am not coaching on a regular basis as I am focussed on ice speed skating!

Our other employee, who you would know Kathie, is Jenny Logue! She is a qualified ICP instructor as well and her specailty is teaching little kids and skate park (of course!)

His Royal Hotness, Shane Yost was just in again today! He is so totally focussed on speed skating but will be gracing your shores again for 4 months doing vert demo's and leaves mid July. His enthusiasm and willingless to learn is awesome. I roomed with Shane for a week with my partner and one others earlier this year while attending our National Tiltles for speed skating in Perth. I have never laughed so much in one week...we had a ball..lots of practical jokes. He has always been a great coach when he has worked for me for Vert skating stuff and I am sure that he will end up being a great speed skating coach at some stage. he has just recently completed a Personal Trainers course too.

Blake..well, I haven't heard his name mentioned for a few years. He seems to have slid off the skate radar, which happens.

What about Monte Walker and his skate school in Brisbane, Planet Inline? He and his stable of instructors need a mention. They are doing amazing things up there. Montes demand for excellences means that his instructors are well versed.

I cannot believe it was all those years ago, he and I were doing our Level 1 course together under the watchful eye of Mike Wilson! If it wasn't for 9/11, I probably would have never become an instructor. Monte was on plane heading to the US to do the ICP course, when the planes hit the towers. He was stuck in LA for a week and returned back to Australia without being certified but organsied Mike to come out to Australia to run a course about 6 months later. I had heard through the skate grapevine that Monte had organsied this so I immediately booked flights to Brisbane and did the course with him along with about 10 others!

I have also been fortunate to have Naomi Grigg grace us with her presence when she visits us in Australia and enjoy her coaching style too. I love being in her workshops because then I become the student for a while. I now have the ability to teach the fundamentals of freestyle and slalom, which is the one aspect of inline I really really really enjoy and practice that when I should be inline speed training!

The list is great. I would love to meet some more instructors from around the globe. My next overseas trip is Korea in a couple of months time to meet up with Naomi. Maybe I can come home via Singapore and meet some of the instructors there?

BTW, I had a chuckle when reading the last post. Pompous -great word!