On May 8th through 10th, 1998 WILSA hosted another successful Eddy Matzger Clinic in the Seattle Washington area. This year we had 17 participants on Saturday and 16 on Sunday. Lorne from Vancouver could only stay for Saturday, however he seemed to leave with enough skating ammunition to keep him busy for some time. All participants, as can be expected, left happy, tired and anxious to get out there and spend some time applying all that we learned. The attendees came from as far away as Kalamath Falls OR, Spokane WA and Vancouver BC with the rest from the greater Seattle area.

Friday we all met for a short social roll along the Burke Gilman Trail and gathered afterwards for pizza while watching race strategy and style films narrated by Eddy. We also viewed video of Eddy and his team mate Dave skate up and down Mt.Kilimanjaro on off-road skates this past winter. What a trip!

The parking lot, where the Saturday and Sunday training was held, was perfect especially considering that the weather was predictable for Seattle. Saturday, with it's rain, kept us on a covered lot, doing all of the balance and form drills along with the Cat & Mouse and Shark Tank games (or were the games on Sunday? We were all so busy and it all happened so fast, it's kind of a blur). We taped our newly acquired skills under cover late Saturday. Saturday afternoon, the rain let up and things started to dry out. That night we met for a pot-luck and reviewed our performances. We had a great time AND a few laughs!

By the next day, we were ready and able to take our training to the great outdoors. The parking lot had some nicely sloped and sufficiently long hills to allow us to try all of the hill drills. This including Granny and Gorilla skating up hills; tuck, train ride, slalom, and big air down hills. Dave Rhoades aced the coasting competition with enviable form!

   

The stage races as the finally on Sunday, put our abilities to the test. Every one had the chance to show their stuff, both as individuals
and as part of 4 teams of 4 seasoned trainees, in full race-team colors. After all the points were added, up the Rhoadster himself took
top honors relaying on shrewd strategy and great ability to see him through. Everyone showed amazing drive and put out an effort to be proud of!

We have a new batch of very talented and highly training skaters out there that will be the envy all who take note of their style, balance and poise on the tracks and trails.

Thanks to Eddy Matzger and Bob Flynn for another GREAT workshop!

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