Weekly Skates
- Weekly skates depart 10-15 minutes after scheduled starting times (unless cancelled by inclement weather or global pandemic)
- * Summer dates are Memorial Day through September 31
Maneuverability and control at all times is very important as all skates travel on roadways which contain hazards, such as cars, bad pavement, pedestrians and other skaters. The ability to stop or avoid obstacles is critical to the ability to skate on public streets.
Beginner Roadskaters Skate at Hains Point
When: Saturday, weather permitting.10 AM during Summer1 PM during the WinterAn event ideal for a social skate
Where: Hains Point
Skate, Socialize, enjoy the river views and the company of others. East Potomac Park offers several miles of smooth, flat space with minimal traffic and optimal skating opportunities. Skate 3, 6, 9 or 12 miles or relax at the club house.
Parking is free or take metro to the L'Enfant Plaza metro and walk over the Case Bridge walkway over the river along I-395. (The route can be skated but there is a steep downhill!)
A map and further information is at our Meetup.com page.
After Work Skate at Hains Point
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:45PM
Where: Hains Point
Starting at Hains Point with routes are chosen by attendees based on the skills and interests of those present. Lots of flat terrain can be explored along the waterfront. Nora Kennedy and Gary Henson are frequent attendees.
A map and further information is at our Meetup.com page.
Friday Night Skate
When: Fridays 7PM (Year round - Weather permitting)
Arrive on time for a chance to socialize and hear pre-skate announcements.
Where: White House
It's a intermediate level street skate of 9-12 miles, which finishes around 9 p.m. This skate keeps a leisurely pace on moderate hills and generally flat terrain through light traffic. Often skaters have food or drinks afterwards.
What to Expect
Fun is what you can expect from the Friday Night Skate. If you are an intermediate street skater you can make friends and enjoy a supportive environment as you start to get comfortable with this enjoyable activity. To accommodate as many levels as possible, there are many regroup points so that slower skaters can keep up, and faster skaters have a long time to take breaks and talk, or skate extra.
What skill level is this skate?
Not all beginners will be ready for this skate! Although it is mostly flat, there is a downhill right at the start in the bike path on 15th St. You must be able to maintain a controlled speed on a down a hill and be able to stop at a red light! You should have mastered at least two kinds of braking (e.g., heel braking, T-stopping, power slides, snowplowing, etc.) and be able to brake on an incline of at least 5-degrees. We encourage skaters who would like to work on these skills to attend our free lessons in Rock Creek Park.
Street skating requires more skill than trail skating or roller derby! While balance and steering techniques are essentially the same, skating in city streets and in potentially dangerous environments requires a higher competency. Like driving, you must be constantly searching for hazards and obstacles and be prepared to react by turning, stopping and avoiding.
The Pace
While some choose to skate fast, the pace is relaxed with frequent breaks give it a leisurely feel. Frequent regrouping and stops keep the group together and can accommodate most intermediate skaters. It is a social event so spend some time meeting and making friends at each stopping point.
Saturday Skate Clinics (* only Daylight Savings Time: April->Oct)
Sunday Intermediate Skate
When: Sunday Morning
10 am during the Summer (Memorial Day Weekend -> Sep 31)
11 am the rest of the year.
Please see the Calendar link to confirm which starting time is in effect for the skate you wish to do. Get there early to make sure you don't miss us!
Where: White House
It is an intermediate level street skate of about 10-12 miles which finishes within two hours. This skate maintains pace designed to be a workout for an average intermediate street skater.
What skill level is this skate?
The terrain includes some moderate hills such as Capitol Hill and may include high-traffic areas such as Georgetown. There are several stops to regroup and before tricky turns. If you can keep up with our Friday Night Skate, you can keep up with this skate. Difficulty can vary widely depending on the route chosen by the leader.
Wednesday Night Advanced Skate
When: Every Wednesday night, year-round at 7pm. Weather permitting
We warm up for ten minutes and leave by 7:10pm.
Where: White House
What is a Wed night advanced skate?
10-15 miles, around 2 hours with a wide variety of routes. It can be technically challenging and is perfect for the experienced skater you know. Routes may include fast pace, big hills (down and up), traffic and periodic rest stops. We often stop along the way at a convenience store, but if it is hot, it is a good idea to bring some water or Gatorade to the start.
Skill level
A skater should be able to maintain a moderately fast pace of 10-15 miles per hour and be able to maintain a safe speed on steep hills of around 30-degrees, some are especially fun with lead skaters reaching speeds of 30 mph or more.