Ride n Joy comes to Eastbourne
22/04/2009 by tim.
Sk8school met Pauline of Ride n Joy whilst checking out the Treasure hunt this week!
If you want to try out these amazing bikes get in soon!
Eastbourne Skate Lessons - HDI Skate Streetwise - Review.
22/04/2009 by tim.
The half day intensive - Skate Streetwise course is the Eastbourne Skate Lesson, that gets you using your skates as transport! - Read this from Peter Maisey on the latest course he attended!
Quote :-
Peter Maisey
Last Saturday I went across to Eastbourne to take part in a Streetwise Skate course, run by Tim Wheals of Eastbourne Skate School. With the arrival of the warmer weather and my wanting to skate outside as much as possible in the run up to Goodwood, I decided a bit of safety advice wouldn’t go amiss. The course was based on Eastbourne seafront, all of which we managed to use and abuse in one way or another.
We began with simple heel braking on the flat, probably aimed at Tim being able to assess our capabilities. That was quickly followed by downhill braking on a fairly gentle slope into an empty car park with a big run out area in case we lost control.
My first “new ” experience was skating off kerbs. I have always taken the approach of stepping off sideways, parallel to the kerb, which Tim did cover. But with a couple of demonstrations, and some very clear instructions, I was happily skating perpendicularly off kerbs and enjoying it. I am a cautious skater by nature, so to me this was something quite adventurous.
We then moved off the tarmac onto the grass. Firstly the grass stop, making us all aware of the necessity of the scissor. Then attempting to skate on grass, an exercise intended to give us more ooomphh to our push. It was remarkably successful, and something that would become very useful when we got onto some of the rougher sections of the promenade.
Tim then gave us a brief demonstration on crossing roads safely.
Onto another slope, this one much steeper than the last. We were introduced to the lunge turn as a means of using the hill itself to check our speed. This was the point at which I realised how much weaker my turn to the right was than my turn to the left - something to work on.
For easier skating, although not necessarily quicker at the moment, Tim demonstrated some introductory exercise to Stride Three. Not easy, but I could see the benefits if I persevered.
With the number of pedestrians beginning to increase, we then turned to skating in a train, as much out of necessity to get through the crowds as making things easier. It was very noticeable how easy it was to skate at the back of a line of six skaters, and how it became more difficult as I moved forwards through the line.
By this time we’d been skating for about three hours, and had reached the far end of the promenade from our starting point. How fortunate (well planned I think) that we ended up at a café. Soup for me, something with chips for others, and salad for the more health conscious. A half hour sit down also gave us a chance to quiz Tim on skating generally.
Leaving the café we then headed back to our start point, into a strong head wind. Skating in line became a necessity. We also took the opportunity to go back over the Stride Three exercises and the lunge turn downhill.
By the end of the course I had much better appreciation of safety outdoors, and my skating weaknesses. So I got what I wanted out of the course, and a lot more besides. Tim Wheals is an excellent teacher, able to give clear explanations and demonstrations. I can recommend this course for anybody who wants to start enjoying skating in the great outdoors
-: End Quote
As usual we finish off with a little tea and Ice cream - dished out by Mr. “James Ice Cream”.
Sk8 n Chips roll - in dodgy weather!
22/04/2009 by tim.
Well the weather looked uncertain, so once we’d met up we planned a shorter roll to the Marina instead of the “good old” tried and tested route.
Our favored destination “the Chippy” above had finished serving by the time we got there - so we had to opt - after several other attempts in the area for the Harvester 
Alas although the weather did hold off, the catering left a lot to be desired and we will need to research this route further to ensure we all get fed!
After Skate Lesson Eastbourne Skate Tour
22/04/2009 by tim.
We thought that after the Packed Eastbourne skate lesson, kids club and impromptu skate dancercise, we’d be packing up and heading home… but no!
The Sk8 M8s decided it was time for a spur of the moment tour, as part of a research and “inspiration” tour.
The Sk8 M8’s want to run tours all around Eastbourne, rather than being “trapped” on the seafront.
There are alreay trips organised to Brighton (June 6th), London (Mid August) - but they want more!
Proposed tours are:-
- Cuckoo trail to Hailsham
- Meads pub and golf course tour
- Hampden park picnic
- Pevensy Bay fish and chips skate
Lots more coming! Keep an eye on the events page.
NOTE: Sk8school does not organise these events - Sk8school simply helps with the communication for the Sk8 M8s.
Learn to Skate Dance - straight after your Eastbourne skate lesson!
22/04/2009 by tim.
Our first lessons outdoors, finished off with an impromptu skate dance!
Not only was it great fun, but it brought new people in, to try the challenge and learn the new skills.
The proper skate dancercise class is every Tuesday at 8pm Shinewater… Give it a try it’s free for your first time!
Eastbourne Skate Lessons move outside from April
22/04/2009 by tim.
Eastbourne’s best skate lessons move outdoors to their regular summer slot at the Turning Circle 11am Sundays.
These group lessons are the ideal way to learn to skate and run alongside Sk8school’s Kids Club, which teaches children to skate through games.
These hour long sessions are always well attended so ringing ahead to confirm your place is recommended.
Skate Hire is always available at all Eastbourne Skate Lessons and we cover all sizes.
These lessons are suitable for all ages and run from April to October - when ever the ground is dry.
Learn to Skate Dance in Eastbourne - Surfing the Yo Yo!
09/04/2009 by tim.
The Eastbourne Skate Dance class had it’s last Wednesday night session this week - and many of those present needed a helping hand with the “Surfing the Yo Yo” routine!
Still once you’ve mastered it - it’s another move and routine that really improves your skating and makes this one of the most enjoyable and unique skate lessons in Eastbourne.
This session now moves to Tuesdays and combines an Open skate - so you can either just skate about in an uncrowded environment or take part in the skate dance lesson as you choose.
Sk8school Certificates for the monthly Eastbourne Skate Exam
05/04/2009 by tim.
A superb start to the outdoor skating season in Eastbourne! Several people took advantage of the FREE skate exam on the Seafront this morning and we even managed to take a picture - once half of them had gone
Still there will be another chance next month! Hopefully with more people aiming to get through the Improvers and Experts exams - but well done to the two of you in the Improvers group!
