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

This week's tip:

Break Bread for a Bigger Event

Make your event bigger with a pre-race dinner and help the skate community grow!

By Rodney Friedman
Jan. 25, 2008

Offering a come-one, come-all pre-race dinner is a great way to encourage skaters to return to your event year after year.

Race veterans and their families will welcome the opportunity to catch up with their far-flung race buddies, many of whom they may only see once a year. New skaters will grab at the chance to talk to veterans and get the inside scoop on the racecourse and competition. And non-racers may even catch the racing bug.

The pre-race dinner of the Silver Strand Half Marathon is a good example of what can happen. Founded three years ago by the San Diego Street Elite, it has grown annually by 25 percent. Last fall, we had 70 attendees — all by digital word of mouth (email); and we hear nothing but accolades and thanks for putting it on.

Pre-Race Dinner Tips

Here are some things to keep in mind when you organize your dinner:

• Find a good quality restaurant with low to moderate prices.
• Make sure that the restaurant will allow you to reserve an area without paying a room fee.
• Ask skaters who want to attend to RSVP. That way you can give the restaurant a good estimate of how many people to expect, which will keep it from reserving more tables than necessary.
• If your race starts early in the morning, as most do, start your dinner early, let's say 5 p.m. A late start will discourage skaters who want a good night's sleep.
• Offer a simple fixed-price menu of basic pastas, sauces and salads with an option for ordering special items off the menu. That will make for quicker service and a happier kitchen.
• If the restaurant lets you bring your own wine with a small corkage fee, even better.

Now enjoy the evening and watch your event grow!

...

Rodney Friedman is a veteran inline skater and member of the San Diego Street Elite racing team. He started skating in the early 1990s, a few years after moving to San Diego. Ever since, he has been active in San Diego's lively skating community, both as a leader and skater. He has competed in numerous races over the years and has published several articles in the defunct Fitness and Speed Skating Times.

• San Diego Street Elite web site

Related reading:

• Skate Tip of the Week Archive
• Beginners Guide to Outdoor Racing
• Beginners Guide to Inline Skating