Skate skills:

SKATE TIP OF THE WEEK
Inline secrets from the world's top skaters and coaches

This week's tip:
Bag It!

By Eddy Matzger
(Dec. 8, 2006)

It's always a good idea to take along identification, money and a phone on any training skate. But keeping things dry can be a challenge.

Electronics don't especially like humidity, which I've learned the hard way by frying many a walkman and phone with salty sweat.

And then there's the problem of soggy bills. Shop owners don't particularly like them. In fact, they are liable to treat them like dirty underwear if you use them to pay for food or drink.

The easy way to avoid the ravages of sweat is to put your "delicate" articles into a zip-lock bag and then stuff the bag in a jersey pocket.

If the pocket is nice and tight, push the air out of the bag before stowing it. But if the pocket is loose, blow up the bag like a balloon before sealing it. That way it will fit snug in the pocket.

Another thing I carry on training skates is a business card. I get bombarded with a million and one questions when I'm waiting at stoplights. Other times, people pull alongside in their cars and ask questions while I'm out there trying to maintain a solid 22 miles per hour.

I used to carry plastic cards with my picture, website and curriculum vitae. But nowadays I have fancy paper cards I make myself.

Anybody can make business cards on a color printer these days. And if you or your club are looking to attract more skaters, then these are a must.

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Eddy Matzger is one of the winningest skaters in the history of inline racing and leader of the popular SkateFarm workshops. He returned home earlier this week from a month in China, where he was coaching a speed team. But he won't be home for long. Tomorrow he takes on the role of "guest guide" for a Zephyr Adventures tour through Florida's Gulf Coast.

• Eddy's web site
• Skate Tip of the Week Archive.