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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

Inline skating competition comes to Perry, Warner Robins

This isn’t your mom’s roller skating. It’s competitive inline skating, and the sport is gaining popularity in Middle Georgia.

Mach Racing, an inline skate group, has about 25 members who participate in races throughout the United States. The group is the only one in the Middle Georgia area.

Mach Racing will host a “Need for Speed” competition at 11 a.m. Saturday at Perry High School and 5 p.m. Sunday at Olympia Skate Center in Warner Robins. The group is expecting almost 200 competitors from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.

Chris Dunlap started the group two years ago. But because he is currently stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., with J-STARS, Brian Carroll has taken over his duties.

Carroll said he got into the group because his son, Brian Carroll Jr., 12, was interested in skating.

“I don’t skate competitively,” Carroll said, laughing.

The members of the club range in age from 4 to 40. Carroll said he has seen people in their 70s skating.

“We travel all over the Southeast,” Carroll said. “We hope to have national contenders.”

James Morgan, 10, who attends Parkwood Elementary School, got involved because his friend was doing it.

“I like being able to hang out with friends,” Morgan said.

He has been skating for about six months and has already won a second place medal at a recent competition.

It isn’t cheap to participate in the sport. A set of speed skates starts at $300, and entry fees start at $30 per event.

However, Olympia Skate Center has donated its facility, so the club doesn’t have to pay to practice.

“We mainly do it for the kids,” said Amy Alexander, owner of the center. “It gives kids an activity that is safe and wholesome.”

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.

More info For more information about Mach Racing, call Brian Carroll at 997-1065 or visit www.mach-racing.com.