Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat
						WAR Clinic

Take advantage of our free skating clinic on Saturdays at noon. Learn basic skating skills as well as how to stop. Meet in Rock Creek Park, Beach Drive, parking lot 6 -- we have detailed directions at the bottom of this page. Free clinics run from April through October, weather permitting. No appointment is necessary, you can drop in any Saturday you want and attend as many clinics as you need.

Instructors Available

If you are looking for lessons beyond the basics, we can help you find a certified instructor in the DC area as well.

What You Should Bring

The following things:

• your skates of course
• helmet and wristguards
• kneepads and elbow pads -- very much recommended
• something to drink if it's going to be a hot day

Once You Have Mastered the Clinic

You can check out the Friday Night Beginner Skate -- a relaxed pace skate around the Smithsonian and the monuments in Downtown DC that serves as a perfect introduction to skating on the streets.

Sponsored by National Skate Patrol

The clinic is sponsored by the Washington DC chapter of the National Skate Patrol. Volunteer instructors are certified by the International Inline Skating Association (IISA) and wear red shirts with the National Skate Patrol emblem on them.

Skate Patrol is looking for Volunteers and Instructors

We welcome new volunteers to join our ranks and have a blast with us as we promote safety and fun in a fantastic skating venue. To volunteer, you don't have to be an elite skater, just able enough to teach the basics and set a good example -- we'll provide the training. To get involved, come out on Saturday and ask.

If you are qualified skating instructor, we encourage you to volunteer your time at the clinic. You can also contact us with your teaching availability and we'll forward any lesson inquiries in your area to you.

Awards and Recent Recognition

In 2005 the National Park Service communicated its community appreciation to the Washington DC Chapter of the National Skate Patrol by presenting its "Take Pride in America" award. Pictured is Joe Kramer, head instructor and organizer of Washington DC Skate Patrol proudly showing off the award.

Held in Rock Creek Park/Detailed Directions

From April to October, Beach Drive, the main road in Rock Creek Park, is closed to traffic and open exclusively for recreational use. Here is some detailed information from the National Park Service:

Sections of Beach Drive from Broad Branch Road to Military Road and from picnic grove 10 to Wise Road and from West Beach Drive to the DC line are closed on Saturdays, Sundays (7:00 AM Saturday-7:00 PM Sunday), and holidays for bikers, roller bladers, hikers and joggers (On the map they are marked in faint yellow).

The best way to get to the clinic is via Military Road NW. Turn north on Beach drive and park at the first lot on the left. This will be parking lot 6 where the clinic is held.