May I use your letter in the June RS Gazette Newsletter?

Joe Kaplenk <jkaplenk@...> wrote:
This is what I posted to Sk8rs4Change on Yahoo.

Demise of Roller Skating (Was Demise of this group)

This year I was quite shocked at our local competition in Aurora , IL
when I had no problem finding a place to sit. In the past I had to
fight to find and retain my place. I realized that the spectators
weren't there, the skaters weren't hanging around and there was a
decrease in the apparent number of competitors. Unfortunately, I
didn't compete in any other roller competitions due to a hectic
schedule. So I can't comment about the other competitions.

I won't be at the Great Lakes Regionals since I could not come to
terms over the video at the competition and my fees would be 350%
over last year and didn't want to just go to compete (I always place
last). But I'll keep doing quads and inlines and competing where I
can next year.

I do agree that USARS is listening and trying some things, but maybe
there needs to some more fundamental changes. There is a strong need
for new people with the courage to make fundamental changes.

I have been an active roller, ice and inline skater and was very
extensively involved in getting Adult Nationals going on ice in the
USFSA. Up to that time in the early nineties a number of ice clubs
were very closed minded about adult skating -- they are great for
dancing -- but that's it. Many clubs wouldn't let adults do
freestyle -- only dance. I was the only male in an ice regionals for
the whole Midwest (1 of 3 in the US ) sectionals. My adults were
quite despondent about how they fit in the scheme of things.

In contrast recently, I competed at Adult Nationals on ice and I had
eleven men in the 56+ freestyle Bronze category (up to, but no axle)
and there were 10 ladies. More men than ladies!! And a bunch of old
geezers!! BTW, I got 8th out of 11th after not competing on ice in
14 years!!

I believe that one of the keys to its success is the intimate
involvement of the athlete. In the early nineties we formed a new
national organization called Adult Skaters Forum(ASF), which I was
President. We had competition, coaches, testing and other committees
formed. We kept USFSA officials informed and sent them our
newsletter. A former USFSA president met with me to discuss what the
heck we were doing and the USFSA was quite concerned. (I hope to
detail the history when I get a chance. It is a great story) We were
quite ready to go our own way and had some high level support. Due
to our efforts, eventually ASF unofficially was merged into USFSA
Adult Skaters Advisory Committee, which I was the first chair. A
number of former World Class roller skaters were involved in the
adult skating. Many were in high places. But the key was keeping the
athlete involved. The skaters were the ones making the decisions
after discussion. That is why it has been such a success.

While you cannot do direct comparisons of the two sports, but there
are many fundamental concepts in common. Every sport has its
weaknesses and strengths. Roller skating is usually more family
friendly, warmer, cheaper and often less crowded during practice
sessions. Ice is cold and less friendly. I also find body position
in figures and dance on rollers better than on ice. I was not
impressed with the ice dancing at ice Adult Nationals compared to
rollers. But the moves, competitions and levels are quite similar
and each sports develops similar skills and occur in similar
environments -- rinks -- one comfortable and one cold.

As others have mentioned there appears to be a large number of
roller rinks in the US that have no competitive program. The rink
owners don't want to be bothered or there are insurance concerns.
Often the lesson programs leave much to be desired and the RSA
programs had been totally ignored. That is until now, when they are
required, which I think is great.

I firmly believe that unless the athlete is intimately involved in
the process there will be minimal progress. Roller skating clubs are
typically run by rinks and coaches. Some clubs have athlete
involvement, but many don't even have club meetings. Some roller
clubs seem to exists only for the owners. One solution would be an
evolution to athlete-run clubs that are independent of a particular
rink and probably independent of any rinks. What's wrong with
including outdoors, particularly involving inline freestyle for a
club? If the athletes are intimately involved they will stay
involved. Clubs could also span multiple rinks. In the Chicago area
there appears to be a lot of infighting among clubs. I have had
difficulty skating at a rink other than my home club's and sometimes
skaters are told by a roller club that they join their club and
compete for them, even if I want to skate there just occasionally.
Rink independent clubs would also free the rink owner from time and
probably some financial committments.

It may take a new organization to make sense of what is happening,
It would allow for things to be structured away from the traditional
way. How can you change something that goes to the very foundation
of an organization? That is very difficult and courageous. How do
you attract skaters when you are just maintaining the status quo?

I'm quite an enthusiast for inline freestyle. A year ago I proposed
to USARS that I would be glad to gather together interested people
under the USARS auspices to see what can be done to increase
interest. My background speaks for itself. It would involve people
that are genuinely enthused about getting things going. It would
also involve some considerable rethinking of the current approach.
Since I couldn't find a good time at Regionals to meet with someone
I was told that it would be passed on and discussed over the winter.
I presented a number of detailed ideas about how things could be
changed. This apparently was never discussed and things are still at
the status quo.

I have been told by some skaters that they are afraid to express
their opinions because it will affect the judges opinion of them and
their scores. Often the opinions are express anonymously. That is
sad because involving the skater could be the key to helping make
things better.

Joe Kaplenk
<jkaplenk@...>


Kathy Ferreira
Roller Skaters' Gazette
The Monthly Newsletter for Artistic Roller Skaters