To meet the challenge of bringing skating to those millions, Rollerblade and tour operator Zephyr Adventures have joined forces to create Camp Rollerblade, "camps" in which adults learn to inline skate.

"I was fast approaching 50 in the fall of 2003 and I knew that I needed to give up jogging due to the pounding on my knees and hips," says Leslie Trotta, a 51-year-old escrow office manager from California who attended Camp Rollerblade. "I decided to try skating because it's such a great low-impact activity. I learned about the camps through Fitness Magazine, signed up, had tons of fun, made new friends, and learned to skate safely."

In 2005, five-day Camps that include hotel lodging, meals, and instruction take place on Hilton Head Island off the coast of South Carolina and in the Southern Minnesota town of Lanesboro. In addition, there is a two-day Camp Rollerblade Weekend for adults scheduled in San Francisco's East Bay and a four-day Camp Rollerblade for Kids scheduled in the Boston area, with more locations to be added soon.

Camp Rollerblade is part of Rollerblade's 25th anniversary efforts to spread the word that inline skating is a low-impact, aerobic sport with a number of health benefits for people of all ages. In fact, the average Camp Rollerblade attendee is 46 years old. "We realize learning to inline skate can be a daunting thought," says Camp Rollerblade director Allan Wright. "We focus on the basics, hire outstanding certified skating instructors, and progress only when each individual is ready. Having fun is as important as learning to skate."

"At 43 years old, divorced, and with a whole new life ahead of me, I decided to make some changes," says Kris Cox, a 44 year-old systems engineer from Massachusetts, who attended the Hilton Head skate camp. "When I made the decision to learn to skate, the Camp Rollerblade office told me that I was about to embark on a life changing event. I couldn't agree with them more."

Throw out thoughts of cafeteria food and bunk beds. While kids are welcome,the focus of the five-day residential camps is on adults and the accommodations are in resorts rather than tents. Camp Rollerblade flies in top instructors from around the United States and even Europe. In addition, it has a proprietary system of skating instruction that ensures participants leave confident enough to skate without assistance.

While many participants are fearful of committing to five days learning to skate, most have so much fun learning with other beginners they wish the Camp was longer by the time it finishes. "We have a gap between the perception -- skating is difficult -- and the reality, which is that almost everyone can learn to skate, given proper instruction," says Wright.

"At age 70, I thought it would be fun to get into inline skating because it is not only great exercise but it can be a form of meditation," says Jigger Warren, a 75-year-old massage therapist from Arizona who attended the Minnesota Camp Rollerblade. "With skating I've improved my balance, body control, agility, cardiovascular fitness, and self esteem."

It just goes to show it is always possible to learn a new trick. For more information, visit www.CampRollerblade.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content