Home > Culture > Features

Your guide where to glide

Published: 05 Jan. 2003, 23:50

1. "Peace Gate" at the Olympic Park

This is probably the best known and most sought out location for inline skaters in Seoul. With its spacious grounds, numerous courses and alternative attractions (sculpture park, family gardens and museums), it is a favorite hangout not just for skaters but also for bikers and pedestrians. Advanced skaters are usually around to show off speed and moves.

2. Bundang Central Park

This large park in southern Seoul is famous for having different skating surfaces, such as asphalt and marble. Inline hockey players also like it here.

3. Ilsan Lake Park

The park has one of the largest man-made lakes in East Asia. The park holds various recreational events such as the Goyang International Flower Festival. Hanul Square is famous for its marble surface and as a place to watch the best skaters glide.

4. Paris Park in Mok-dong

This park was named to commemorate the centennial of Korean-French diplomatic relations. Skaters can choose from such surfaces as concrete-asphalt mix and marble.

5. Han River

The two-way course from Cheonho-dong to Yeouido to Yangwha Bridge is approximately 40 kilometers in length. The course, which offers fine views, runs along the south side of the Han River.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to get on a roll?

Here's a list of the most popular Internet communities devoted to Inline skating.

1. Skate and Inline Skate

-- www.cafe.daum.net/cho60611:

This is the largest net community of inline skaters (and wanna-bes), and boasts more than 14,000 members. Members meet every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in front of the Peace Gate in Olympic Park for both training and freestyle skating.

2. A.T.S (At Top Speed)

-- www.freechal.com/withinline:

This inline skating community has nearly 600 members and meets every Saturday at 5 p.m. at Olympic Park. Members are in their 20s and 30s and are both students and professionals. Newcomers are met with banners at the designated meeting area.

3. Inline Mania

-- www.cafe.daum.net/inlinemania:

This community meets in Yeouido (take exit 3 from Yeouido Station) every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Members wear orange shirts to set themselves apart. Inline Mania also gives lessons to beginners.

4. Snatch -- www.snatch.ke.st:

This is a community for aggressive inliners who are mostly intermediate or hard-core skaters. Those who are really passionate about skating are urged to be part of the "snatch gang."

Other Skating Communities:

www.nebaggi.com

iwheel.or.kr/main.htm

www.freepoint.qp.to

by Choi Jieho