RECREATION / IRENE GARCIA : New Students Stand in Line at Blade School

Every Wednesday evening, David Inman parks a colorful van in the lower east parking structure of the Media City Center Mall in Burbank.

He sets up a table with sign-in sheets and places near it four chairs and three large duffel bags full of gear.

After students register for his in-line skating class, Inman fetches skates from the van’s shelves for those who don’t own a pair. There are 40 sizes to choose from.

Blade School is now in session.

Inman is one of 30 instructors who hold classes in 18 locations throughout Southern California, including the one in Burbank and others in Thousand Oaks and at Ventura College.

Each skater is charged $15 for a two-hour session. The price also includes skates and protective gear--a helmet, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads.

The Burbank location is popular because the 120-yard-by-40-yard lower parking structure has a smooth concrete surface that is ideal for beginners. It’s also indoors and well-lit, which makes it desirable for year-round use.

“This is about the best surface I’ve ever skated on in my life,” Inman said. “Most surfaces are choppy and rough. This is a great one to learn on.”

Inman, 26, is certified by the International In-line Skating Assn. as an instructor. He has worked with the school for two years and has seen in-line skating grow dramatically in a relatively short time.

Previously an activity almost exclusive to beach communities, in-line skating is now racing inland, creating a demand for the roaming school, Inman said.

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When the Rollerblade company moved to California in 1986, it sent out instructors in vans throughout the Southland to demonstrate how to use the product.

“But people said they wanted to learn more about using the skates,” said Dan Joyce, Rollerblade’s director of promotions. “So in 1992 we started the lessons in order to go out and assist people in learning to skate better.”

The school started with five locations. Next year, Joyce predicts, there will be 20 stops on the Blade School route.

And with the sale of in-line skates on the rise, there probably will be an even bigger demand for the classes. The Burbank class averages 15 students, but other locations have up to 40 skaters.

According to American Sports Data, in-line skate sales doubled from 1993 to 1994 and the rate of new skaters ages 35 to 54 increased 102% from 1992 to 1993.

Last year, almost 20,000 people participated in in-line skating, according to the data.

“It’s a great way to stay fit,” Inman said. “It really is a great workout. It’s good for your thighs and lower back and it increases ankle strength, plus it’s low impact.”

Most Blade School students like the convenience of having the lessons come to their area. Many said they would be discouraged from attending if they had to drive long distances.

Paul Smith, 42, who frequently attends the advanced class in Burbank, said he had to go to the beach to learn and practice after he first purchased skates three years ago.

“But I can’t get out to the beach much, so this is great,” said Smith, a Glendale resident. “I can do it pretty well, but I want to learn what I’ve been doing wrong all these years and this is the place to do it.”

Linda Marshall of Burbank brings her 7-year-old son, Bryce, to the weekly advanced class because it’s a good way to keep him active.

But driving 20 miles so her son could skate at the beach would be out of the question, Marshall said.

“This is a perfect spot for it because it’s cool down here and even if it rains it’s not a problem,” she said. “Bryce really enjoys it.”

Inman begins classes with a brief explanation of how the skates function and how to fall without suffering major injuries: “Always land forward ,” he says, holding both arms in front of him.

He then demonstrates basic positions. After the students get a feel for the skates and stroll up and down the parking lot a few times, Inman teaches them what he considers the most important aspect of in-line skating--how to stop.

By the end of the evening, the advanced group jumps over obstacles at high speeds and the beginners slow down by skating in fancy circles.

Inman ends the class with a bit of advice: “Three secrets to becoming a good skater: Practice, practice, practice!”

A short time later, Inman has all the equipment neatly packed back in the van.

It’s off to the next lesson.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Blade School

A traveling in-line skating program is available at three locations in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County. Registration for the 90-minute lessons is on-site and equipment is provided. For more information call 310-559-7655.

Thousand oaks: Teen Center at Janss Road near the 23 Freeway. Classes: 3-5 p.m. Saturdays.

Ventura College gymnasium: 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, Classes: 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

Burbank: Media City Center, in the parking garage east lot, lower level. Classes: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday.