This coming weekend,May 1 - 3 is the time. We have an updated list of events on
the website at http://usopeninline.com. Nick Perna has several ice skaters
competing on inline figure skates and is presenting for several hours. Garrett
Krug, an ice coach and trainer, is giving a session on off-skate training. We
have several other ice coaches involved as well as roller and inline coaches. We
have an original event called the Survivor which is designed to encourage
skaters to be able to sustain their spins and lengthen their jumps. There is
also a Team Survivor event available. We also have a family show event another
unique event. Judges forms should be up shortly so you can see how the events
are judged..

If you are in the Chicago area come by Saturday morning. The details are on the
web. I'll be the guy running around like a chicken without its head.

If you can't make it join us for the party Saturday May 2, at 7:00 at
Ballydoyles, an Irish Pub and Restaurant with an Irish band at 9:30. The address
is 5157 Main Street • Downers Grove, Illinois 60515. Phone (630) 969-0600. There
is no advance charge and you buy what you want. Send am email to info@...
to let us know so we can save enough seats.

Next year we're looking at alternative dates so it won't conflict with other
competitions. The reason we chose May 1 is no longer important.

Joe Kaplenk,
Chair
Competition Planning Committee
U.S. Open Inline Chicago 2009

--- In inline-instruction@yahoogroups.com, "Joe Kaplenk" <jkaplenk@...> wrote:
>
>
> The Seminar schedule for the U.S. Open Inline Chicago 2009,
http://usopeninline.com, May 1-3 at USA Skate Center, Romeoville, IL has been
finalized and is below. The competition schedule will be posted this weekend
and will be held Saturday morning, May 2 There will be events in
Slalom/Freestyle, Free Skating, Interp, Dance and other forms of inline skating.
This is an annual event and is certain to grow for next year. We invite everyone
to help us grow the sport.
>
> This is an opportunity to learn about this sport that is seeing growth around
the world and is attracting skaters and coaches from ice, inline and roller
skating, is green and is relatively inexpensive. The charge is $25.00 for the
Seminar. There is also a $5.00 rink charge per each full morning or full
afternoon session that can cover the seminar, skating or other activities going
on at the same time.
>
> The late fee is also being waived so skaters can enter competition events on
the day of the event. Competitors can attend the Seminar for free. We ask that
you email info@... if you are planning to register on site, so we can have
sufficient seating for everyone and we can schedule the judges for competitors.
This competition is sponsored by U.S. Inline Figure Skating with the cooperation
and sanctions of USA Roller sports as well as U.S. Freestyle Skaters
Association.
>
> I hope to see you there.
>
> Joe Kaplenk, Chair
> Competition Planning Committee
> President
> U.S. Inline Figure Skating
> www.usinlinefigureskating.org
>
> The schedule and speakers are as follows:
>
> Seminar Topics
>
> Date and Time: Friday 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
> Topic: Technology of Inline skates
> Speaker: Joe Kaplenk
> Location: Seminar room.
> Detail: The science behind the design of inline skates. How to understand the
rocker, bearings, three wheels vs. four wheels,
> Audience: Skaters and Coaches
> Suggested Requisite: Some knowledge of inline skates
>
> Date and Time: Friday 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
> Topic: The use of video in sports
> Speaker: Joe Kaplenk
> Location: Skating floor
> Detail: The ideas behind Dartfish and how to use the equipment and software
effectively. What to do on a limited budget.
> Audience: Coaches and skaters that want to learn
> Suggested Requisite: Some skating knowledge
>
> Date and Time: Friday 11 a.m. – noon
> Topic: Slalom/Freestyle Technique and Judging –
> Speaker: Megan McIntosh
> Location: Skating floor
> Detail: Freestyle/Slalom has seen a tremendous growth around the world, more
overseas than in the U.S. It provides an outstanding tool for all skaters to
develop footwork technique. This will be done on the floor. Everyone should
bring or rent a pair of skates to give this a try either during the seminar or
later.
> Audience: Skaters of all abilities and coaches
> Suggested Requisite:
>
> Date and Time: Friday 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
> Topic: "How to buy competitive Inline Skates.
> Speaker: Jeff Higgins
> Location: Seminar room.
> Detail: What to look for in boots, plates, bearings, wheels as well as some
recommended "gimmicks".
> Audience: For coaches and skaters of all skating abilities and disciplines.
> Suggested Requisite: A limited skating budget
>
> Date and Time: Friday 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
> Topic: "The Sounds of Inlines"
> Speaker: Jeff Higgins
> Location: Seminar room.
> Detail: Barely-audible warning signs of poor technique and/or impending doom!
> Audience: All Inline skaters and coaches
> Suggested Requisite: None
>
> Date and Time: Friday 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. –
> Speaker: Nick Perna
> Topic: Inline Figure Skating Technique
> Location: Seminar room.
> Detail: Learning about the sport first hand.
> Audience: Anyone wanting to learn more about inline figure skating.
> Suggested Requisite: None
>
> Date and Time: Friday 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. –
> Speaker: Various
> Topic: Meetings
> Location: Seminar room.
> Detail: Volunteers, non-USARS event judges, etc.
> Audience: NA
> Suggested Requisite: NA
>
> Date and Time: Saturday 7 a.m. – noon Competition
>
>
> Date and Time: Saturday 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
> Topic: Strength Training Techniques
> Speaker: Garrett Krug
> Location: Seminar room.
> Detail: What do you do when you or your skaters are not in skates to help
develop skills.
> Audience: Anyone wanting to increase their athletic skills
> Suggested Requisite: Interest in learning about developing your physical
skills. You can bring your workout clothes if you like.
>
> Date and Time: Saturday - 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
> Topic: "Going for the Gold - Earning the RSA Gold medal in Solo Dance"
> Speaker: Jeff Higgins
> Location: Seminar room
> Detail: Personal anecdotes, a motivational speech.
> Audience: Prospective, beginner, intermediate and advanced RSA testers and
their coaches/teachers.
> Suggested Requisite: An interest in achieving a higher level of personal
performance, measured against an internationally recognized standard of
excellence.
>
>
> Date and Time: Saturday 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
> Topic: Inline Figure Skating Technique Continued
> Speaker: Nick Perna
> Location: Seminar room
> Detail: More discussion of Inline Figure Skating
> Audience: All skaters and coaches
> Suggested Requisite: none
>
> Date and Time: Saturday 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
> Topic: Meetings
> Location: Seminar room.
> Audience: NA
> Suggested Requisite: NA
>
>
> Date and Time: Sunday Morning 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
> Topic: "Judging the Inline skater"
> Speaker: Jeff Higgins
> Location: Skating floor
> Detail: Inline skating is similar, but not identical, to either Ice or Quad
skating. Some tricks are easier, and some are harder. Unfortunately, there
aren't enough high-quality inline judges yet, and virtually none of them have
ever competed on inlines. Here's what judges should notice and reward.
> Audience: Current and prospective judges of inline skating.
> Suggested Requisite: An open mind
>
> Date and Time: Sunday Morning 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
> Topic: Slalom/Freestyle Technique and Judging continued
> Speaker: Megan McIntosh
> Location: Skating floor
> Detail: More training and skill development for Slalom/Freestyle Bring or rent
your skates and give it a try.
> Audience: all levels of skaters and coaches
> Suggested Requisite: none
>
> Date and Time: 11 a.m. – Noon
> Topic: Inline Figure skating Technique – Continued
> Speaker: Nick Perna
> Location: Skating floor
> Detail: Continued discussion and skating on the floor
> Audience: Skaters and coaches of all levels
> Suggested Requisite: Interest in skating
>
> Date and Time: Sunday – Noon – 1 p.m.
> Topic: "So, you wanna teach inliners to dance, eh? - Tips and Tricks for
introducing inline dancing"
> Speaker: Jeff Higgins
> Location: Floor or Seminar room
> Detail: A primer on preparing properly for progressives, partnering, pace, and
pattern...among other things.
> Audience: Beginner dancers, and skating teachers
> Beginner/Intermediate ability.
> Suggested Requisite:: First-hand experience with the frustrations of teaching
or learning in mixed classes
>
> Date and Time: Sunday 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
> Topic: Lunch
>
> Date and Time: Sunday 2 – 4 p.m.
> Topic: Competition, Seminar, Tradeshow Wrap-up and Eval.
> Speaker: U.S. Inline Figure Skating Board Members, Competition Planning
Committee Members and the Audience
> Location: Seminar room
> Detail: Evaluation of the competition, planning for next year. Introduction of
Board and Committee Members that are available.
> Audience: Anyone wanting to grow the sport
> Suggested Requisite: Enthusiasm, ideas, comments, suggestions, etc.
> Speaker Qualifications:
>
> Jeffrey Higgins
> Speaker Qualifications:
> RSA Gold Medal - Solo International Dance - the first inliner to receive a
gold medal
> RSA Silver Medal - American Team Dance -(on inlines, with quad partner)
> Bronze Medal 2003 - USARS National Competition and the only inline dancer to
ever win any medal in traditional Quad Dance event.
> Several Gold medals at various NARSA National competitions
> Repeat speaker at USARS Coaches and trainers "Update" seminars in the
northeast.
> Trainer and lecturer for IBM, Corp, Office Products division for 12 years.
> BS, Comprehensive Science Ed. 1975
>
> Nick Perna
> Speaker Qualifications:
> PSA Master Rated Instructor in Freestyle and Pairs on ice , World Coach,
inventor of the Freedom Blade and co-inventor of PIC-Skate inline figure skate.,
authored teaching curriculums for the International Inline Skating Association
(IISA) and the "Gym-Skate" program for schools
>
> Megan McIntosh
> Speaker Qualifications:
> International competitor and judge for Slalom/Freestyle skating. Actively
involved in U.S. Freestyle Skaters Association and World Slalom Skaters
Association.
>
> Joe Kaplenk
> Speaker Qualifications:
> Specialist in sports video analysis. President U.S. Inline Figure
Skating/USFIFS, Served as chair of the first USFSA Adult Skaters Advisory
Committee (now ASC). Co-founder and President of Adult Skaters Forum, a national
adult skaters advocacy organization. Accredited PSA coach and competes in ice,
inline and roller figure skating. Speaker at 2008 USARS Coaches Conference on
inline skating. Computer professional and author of two books and co-author of
four books on Computer Science.
>
> Garrett Krug
> Speaker Qualifications:
> Strength and Conditioning Coach & Figure Skating Coach, Coach of U.S. National
and Junior National Level Skaters, Presenter at U.S. Figure Skating "Reach for
the stars" and "Novice Team Camp" 2007, Director of Athletic Development for
Champion Sports Advantage.
>