A Day-Tripper's Guide To The Great EsSkate
In Germany, in Texas, in Montreal and New York, skaters anxiously await the announcement of the exact dates for the annual long weekend of skating in South Beach every February. They plan vacations around the Great EsSkate (GES). They make hotel reservations and get plane tickets well in advance. They eagerly dig out their summer skate clothes and pack bags especially designed for skate paraphernalia.
The Great EsSkate was especially designed for them. Even our name alludes to escaping to skate, offering the sun and warmth of South Florida to lure all those people who had to put away their skates and bikes months ago.
But what if you live in West Palm or Sunrise or Miami? What if you don't need planes and hotels to enjoy skating in South Florida in February? Is there a place for locals at the Great EsSkate?
Only if you like the idea of skating (or biking) in a police-escorted entourage of 300 friendly, happy skaters from all over the world through the streets of South Beach and Miami. Only if you're interested in meeting new friends, challenging your body, learning some techniques and going back to work on Monday boasting that you've skated 75 miles since Friday evening. Only if you'd like to be part of the 9th Annual Great EsSkate, a charity fund-raiser guaranteed to be the most fun you've ever had on wheels.
What do day-trippers need to know? Lots of the answers are found on this website, but the following four tips are just for you:
- The cost to register is the same for all who attend, whether you come from afar and stay at the host hotel or skate over from your condo in time for each skate. With registration you get identification that gives you access to the social events, picnic, nightclub, skate tours and other GES events that weekend.
- Staying at the host hotel, this year the beautiful Royal Palm, is the most convenient way to participate, because more than 90 percent of the skaters will be in the hotel. The registration room is where announcements are posted and skaters meet and greet on Friday. Skaters who are guests hang out together when they're not skating; share information; run up to their rooms to shower, change or get something they forgot. And the Royal Palm is offering an excellent GES rate for February in South Beach. But there are always skaters who stay in nearby hotels, and they don't miss a thing. The same is true of the day-trippers.
- Parking is one issue the out-of-towners don't face; most take a taxi from the airport and walk when they're not skating. Visit the links below to scope out parking options in the city. A couple of hints: Parking close to the hotel, which is at 15th Street and Collins, makes it easier to return to the car to change clothes or stash belongings. Parking where you can buy all-day parking rather than running back to the meter to add more time is a must. The closest garage is at Washington Avenue and 15th Street. The largest garage is at 17th Street and Convention Center Way. Plan to spend $25 and up for anything over 5 hours of parking per day. Credit cards are good at most city garages and lots.
- The Miami Beach government website parking page
- Find an interactive parking map here.
- Find a static parking map here.
Here's a day-tripper's time frame:
Whether you pre-registered or will register on site, check in at the registration room in the hotel sometime between noon and 6:30 p.m. Friday (or at 7:30 a.m. Saturday for those not skating Friday) to get your goodie bag and ID for all GES events.
The weekend warms up Friday with the Art Deco skate (not fast, but fascinating and funny) for those who are in South Beach by 1 p.m. The police-escorted Kick-Off Skate begins with an official welcome, with roll-out scheduled for 7 p.m. You could be back at your car by 11 p.m. if you don't linger at the free dinner at the hotel. If you choose to skate the 11 p.m. Midnight in Miami Urban Skate, don't plan to be back to your car until after 1 a.m.
Saturday morning arrive in time to visit the registration table at 7:30 a.m. Get any updates, borrow a pair of test-drive Rollerblades, or go directly to the yoga stretch (8:15-8:45 a.m.), but be ready to roll at 9:30 for the 25-mile police-escorted Miami Rush skate. We end at lunchtime at Lummus Park (the grassy area between the beach and Ocean Drive) for a picnic. You could be back at your car by 3 p.m. - or 3 a.m.! Because you can spend the rest of the day with your newfound skating friends. Sleep on the beach, explore the shops and restaurants of Collins and Lincoln Road Mall or just hang out. At 11 p.m. we all put on our club duds and go to Opium for free admission and a few drinks on the house. Note: club duds means no sneakers, jeans or collarless shirts. Anything outrageous or over the top is welcome, and you can't go wrong with black.
Sunday morning arrive in time for a yoga stretch 8:15-8:45 a.m. and roll out at 9:30 a.m. Choose a repeat performance of the Art Deco Skate or the police-escorted Run for the Border skate. Both are over about noon. Then many of the out-of-towners will be packing and heading for the airport. Those who planned to stay longer (and those lucky enough to live here!) can find some place for lunch and get ready for the Last Skate at 4 p.m. By 5:30 p.m. we're back at the hotel, saying our goodbyes and making plans for next year - don't forget to get that cute skater's e-mail address