Tuesday 9th October

There's a new review posted here!  Bob Cardone bought a new pair of K2 Catalyst 2001 model skates recently, and has documented his impressions of the skate after doing a fair few miles in them.

Saturday 29th September

A couple of photos from Battersea hockey two weeks ago:

Sunday 23rd September

London Skate photos from the 12th September and 19th September are posted.

Friday 14th September

Bob Cardone has reviewed his Rollerblade 2001 Core Carbon recreational/fitness skates here, thanks!

Tuesday 11th September

An update on the Salomon FreeSkater skates - these are next year's model, and expected release date beginning of March 2002.  Sorry to disappoint those of you who already want a pair and will have to wait until then!  The full review can be found here.

Sean Smith provided this picture of Paul and his mates at the 2001 Notting Hill Carnival:

Friday 7th September

Posted London Skate photos from 29th August here.  Thanks again to Mat Gostynski for these, and all the effort he's put into taking photos each week!

Shane from Battersea Cougars reviewed his new Eagle Sentry hockey gloves here.

Monday 27th August

Oops, no updates for a couple of weeks.  Been too busy with other life things - sorry!

Here's some photos from the London Skate, taken by Mat for the 15th August and the 22nd August.

Wednesday 8th August

Finally gotten round to posting some hockey photos from a visit to Bishop's Park in Fulham.  Laura and Alice came to play a little hockey at Hyde Park on Sunday - thanks for coming along, guys!

Some more photos - hockey and slalom, both taken by Steven Runyeard, and a slalom FAQ, created and maintained by Steven has been posted here.

Lastly, a charity event - this is not strictly skating, but as it involves skiing, I thought it interesting and relevant enough to post details here.  This is the Engadin Ski Marathon, and will benefit the charity Children Nationwide, dedicated to fighting childhood diseases.

Saturday 4th August

Last Saturday Battersea went to Hounslow for a friendly match with Skate Zone Skater Hockey Club.  I've posted a short story and a couple of pictures here.

New toy!  I recently ordered some Mission Wicked Light Vibe hockey skates from the States, and played with them for the first time last night.  Initial impressions are good, but I'll give it a few weeks before reviewing them.

The skates cost US$500, not including shipping and VAT, which made it a little scary ordering via the internet because of needing to get the skate fit right.  Luckily I've got quite a few friends who own Mission skates, so that made things a little easier as I could try on their skates.

Thursday 2nd August

The CrossMax review has now been posted here - enjoy!  UPDATED - a couple of new photos and detail on how the skates can be customized.

Wednesday 1st August

So who got to see the new Salomon range called the FreeSkater at the London Skate last night?  The Salomon team came along in force to show off the new range.  Salomon have provided LondonSkaters.com with a review pair at the top of the range, called the CrossMax.  I like these skates after having skated on them for a week, and think that they are particularly suited to urban skating.  Some of the features include a tough boot and supportive cuff, power strap, manoeuvrable hockey style Hi-Lo chassis and one-piece axles, etc.

I've nearly completed the review, and should be able to post it in the next day or so.  If you'd like to take a look at the skates, come stop by hockey on Sunday, but be prepared to have your photo taken if you want to have a go! :)  They are a UK size 9.

Monday 30th July

A new video - of Steve doing a grapevine, and can be found on the videos page.  I really enjoyed watching this - it's such a weird and fascinating motion.

I bought some new toys recently.  :)  The first is a sports radar.  This cool device measures shot velocity, and is great fun.  You should see everyone line up to take practice shots at hockey.  The fastest shots so far are Mick (Plumstead) at 85mph, Paul (Beckenham) at 76mph, and Daniel (Beckenham) at 75mph.  Most of the experienced players can make 50-70mph.  It was pretty expensive at US$130, not including VAT or shipping, but it does give instant feedback on how good your shot was, and helps to improve power quickly.  The radar can be used for many other sports as well as hockey.

The second toy I bought is a pair of ice hockey skates - some Nike Ignite 1's.  I tried on some Bauer Vapor 8 ice skates, but didn't find the boot nearly as comfortable, so got the Nikes instead.  I have got some pretty strange knobbly feet, though.  When I broke my ankle last year, the doctor thought that one of the (normal for me) lumps on top of my foot was broken bone.  Hehehehehe!

I had a lot of pain breaking in my Bauer Vapor 8 inline hockey skates (which I didn't bake), but these Nikes are a lot more comfortable so far, and I'm only getting a small amount of pain in my right foot, which is already disappearing as the skates break in.  Cost: £250.

I've started ice skating lessons again for the first time since I broke my ankle, and I really enjoy them.  It always amazes me how much more demanding of precise skate control ice skating is than inline skating.  While a few things are different, most of the skills are very transferable.

Saturday 28th July

London Skate photos from 25th July are here.

Posted some photos from Plumstead hockey here.

Tuesday 24th July

It's the London Skate tomorrow night, and also Plumstead hockey, and it doesn't look like there could be better weather predicted!

Plumstead hockey is full contact, and last week I got off a couple of decent checks for the first time since starting  to play contact a few weeks ago.  Time to gear up with shoulder pads, as I'm sure I'm going to be on the receiving end tomorrow night, especially from Tom.  :)

Blake has updated the fitness section with a page containing miscellaneous useful pieces of information.

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