Great EsSkate
Miami, FL USA
Feb. 4-6, 2005
Who could ask for more? Miami's South Beach, and skating! Lots and lots of skating I might add.
This year marked the 5th annual Great Esskate in Miami, FL. Over 600 skaters from all over the place
were there, enjoying the warm sunny weather and the beautiful site seeing that this skate tour provides.
Although it's not a competition, many top speed skaters were there enjoying the wonderful atmosphere
this place has to offer. Tatia Wallce, Aaron Arndt, Herb Gayle, Lenny Wilcox and Desmond Kameka just
to name a few.
The event kicked off on a Friday, with the registration/expo going on while skate clinics were being
held by the pool area. Bont's Aaron Ardnt conducted one of these clinics, sharing his unstoppable
knowledge of the sport we all know and love. Some skaters also decided to go on an "unoffical" skate
tour around the beach area, waiting for the famous Friday Night Skate to begin.
At 7pm, the skaters group up at the convention center two blocks from the host hotel. Gene Cook
(head of the Great Esskate) was handed a key to the city by the Miami Mayor himself. The event
was brought to life to help the families of SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and all proceeds go directly
to the families.
The Friday night skate began around 7:30pm, winding through South Beach with a massive Miami
Police and South Beach Skate Patrol escort. The professionalism of this entire event was incredible.
The tour takes you through 15 miles of neighborhoods with mansions, and even along Ocean Drive
where all the hot spots are, ending back at the convention center for a pasta dinner and raffle.
Soon after, the fast and furious skaters lace up for the late night skate, and the rest hit the night
clubs or hit the sack.
On Saturday morning, we headed out on a 20 mile romp over the causeways and into downtown
Miami, around the cruise ships, and back to the beach. This tour ended at South Point Park, right
on the beach across from Oprah Winfrey's pad. More raffles, lots of barbeque, loud music and dancing.
Saturday evening we recieved a free cover charge and free drink pass into the hip night club called
"State" where everyone danced the night away.
Sunday morning some were able to drag themselves out of bed and go on yet another skate tour,
this time around the Coconut Grove area.
If you're looking for a fun skating vacation to get away from the cold weather, this is definitely
the place to be! Thanks to all the organizers and voluteers for putting on such a wonderful event.
