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Page 14 — Halton Hills This Week, Wednesday, August 4, 1993 In-Line skating - the hot summer sport of By Mike Zrostek Just when you assumed hockey ended once the snow. melts and the temperatures tise, comes a new sport that is rising faster than anybody ever thought. “It’s getting bigger than I thought it was ever going to get,”says Peter McCracken of MVP near sports out- let on Georgetown. * “Yousee people all over Toronto going to work on them, riding them in the subway and in the parks. The Kids skate all over town on them it’s really amazing.” No we're not talking about skateboards here, but rather in-line skating (rollerblades) the newest form of trans- portation, excercise and recreational use that is Sweeping across'Canada in a frenzy. Originally designed pri- marily as equipment for hockey players to use in the summer for training, the sport - which started in the United States years ago - has caught on in a big way in southern Ontario and has made its way to Georgetown. Georgetown and Acton locations =H In-line skating is now available once a week at Acton Arena on Monday nights and at Georgetown’s Gordon Alcott Memorial Arena on Tuesday nights - at both locations, both 7-p.m.- 8:30 p.m.. Originally tried on a trial basis, the turnout was so ae it was decided to go a week says Paul Sie: the Superintendent of Facilities for Town of Halton Hills igcreation and Parks Depart Ee aa or es people the first night and 70 the second night so. we decided to keep it going on a basis term. So-far it’s been great.We thought we would offer a controlled atmosphere for families to skate and so kids don’t always have to skate on the streets.” Helmets are mandatory and equipment such as elbow pads and knee pads are avail- able for people to rent. So what is the reason for the increase in popularity in the sport of in-line skating? “I think it has something to do with roller skating coming and going every three years,” said Stover. And now that this (in-line skating) has come around, its really in vogue. Also with the league starting (Toronto has the Planets) that will get it some attention. Plus it’s easi- er (than roller skating),” said Stover. A great workout In-line skating has become a replacement for people wanting to work out who don’t enjoy jogging or would like to try something else instead of bicycling or walk- ing. It’s a great workout for Fourtoee-yeatola Nick Franks was testing a braind new pair of in-line skates last Saturday, adding to the popula- tion of teenagers who can be seen skating around Halton Hills this summer. photo by Simon Wilson/HHTW your thighs, calves and but- tocks. Mike Foligno of the Toronto Maple Leafs, credits rollerblades for his comeback from a severely broken leg he suffered two years ago. The sport allows him to do the necessary training in the summer instead of waiting for the fall to get on skates in earnest. The sport has become so huge, that a North American League has started which includes three teams from Canada with some impressive names formerly associated with ice hocke: Dave (Tiger) Williams, Gary Unger and Bernie Federko are all-coaches in the a player with the Toronto. A sport for all ages This is also a sport that is not just for males, which may be another reason for the appeal of in-line skating. McCracken says people between the ages of nine to 45 purchase rollerblades and the percentage of men to women buying them is about 60-40. In fact, women pur- chase 4lper cent of in-line skates, so a women’s league is a possibility. As far as rules of the road for in-line skating, skaters come under Highway Traffic Act restrictions once they go: on a defined road or high- way. If you're just starting out in in-line skating, here are some helpful hints for making the sport a little safer. Wear safe- ty equipment such as a hel- met, knee pads and elbow pads. One type of pading that is stressed is wrist guards, simi- lar to the ones baseball play- ers Roberto Alomar and Tim Raines are starting to use when they get on base to pre- vent them from jamming their wrists. Practise before you go and attack the road. Go in a small area to practise turning and maintaining your balance, GEORGETOWN MINOR HOCKEY = FOR THE 1993/94 SEASON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 700-9:00p.m. Georgetown Marketplace Mall THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 630-.00pm. Alcott Arena (upstairs) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 9:00-3:00p.m. Memorial Arena (at Equipment Exchange) TYKE, NOVICE § Born 1984-1988 129° For additional information call Q ATOM, PEEWEE $ BANTAM, MIDGET, JUVENILE Born 1983 & earlier A First time registrants MUST show birth certificate for age verification. A Registering player is requested to attend registration for signature on forms, A Players attending rep. tryouts MUST be registered by August 26. 150" the ‘90s Perhaps in a grass area and just walk around on them. Even though they look like skates, stopping is very dif- ferent than ice skating. The brakes are on the back of the blade so one way to stop is point one leg down and make a 360 degree turn. Dragging your foot will make you come to a stop as will shifting your wait to your-left leg then bending it and applying the brakes with your right leg. If you get really confident, Ou can try and stop like hockey players, even though it isn’ t recommended. If all else fails, just fall on some grass or just slow down a bit by going side to side. Keeping your skates in good condition is a must to get the best use out of them. You should clean, oil, change the bearings every once in awhile and rotate the tires so they don’t wear out unevenly. Carnival in Acton Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Come on | Out to the Halton Hills Recreation & Parks magnificent event will take place _tinight (Wednesday) at the Acton Community Centre from 7-9 p.m. Admission is absolutely free! This evening will include musical entertain- er Laurence Gilman! The. e include the unforgettable Dunking Tank! For more ea, eee call 873-2600, ex! MeKenzie Smith activities Hey Kids! McKenzie Smith is the place to be this summer. We have Sports, games, crafts, and special events for kids of all ages. TOT LOT is for kids 3-5 years. JUNIOR ACTIVITY CENTRE is for kids 6-9 years. SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTRE is for kids 8-14 years and finally, THE- ‘TRE CAMP for kids 8- 14 years, which runs from August 9 - 27. Georgetown Camps TOT LOT - Still room available this summer. passes and week registra- tion available. JUNIOR SUMMER ACTIVITY CENTRE - Weekly bus trips to amaz- ing places, in-town trips to special places. A; years, tegistration still available. _SR. A 14 years. This gram includes games, sports, crafts and much more. Bach week includes an exciting bus trip to Places like Bingeman Park and Pioneer Sports World. FOR MORE INFOR- | CALL THE | Jocelyn Presant 877-5913 or Jackie Hotham 877-5692 ] purse RATION HOT- 873-2600, ext. 275!!