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THE CALIFORNIA OUTDOOR ROLLERSKATING ASSOCIATION
SKATE PATROL PROGRAM 

INTRODCTION

Nearly every city has a park where you can find skaters.  In San
Francisco, Golden Gate Park will see between 5,000 to 10,000 skaters on
Sundays, when the streets are closed to automobile  traffic.  When you
take into account the cyclists, joggers, pedestrians, tourists and
others who share the same space as the skaters, it can get very
congested.  Before you know it, you're looking at a dangerous situation
and a possible skate ban. The formation of a "skate patrol" has proven
to be a very effective way to create a positive image for skating.  The
Golden Gate Park Skate Patrol in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is a
great example of how a group of skaters can get together and get
organized.  The following information will show just what is a skate
patrol how to get organized and create a skate patrol in a 
particular area.

HISTORY

The summer of 1979 saw outdoor rollerskating skyrocket.  By the end of
the summer there were estimates of 15,000 to 20,000 skaters using
Golden Gate Park on Sundays when the park was closed to all automobile
traffic.  There was over thirty (30) skate vendor trucks that rented
skates alongside the ark border, each truck containing between 200 and
500 pairs of skates. Skaters were everywhere.  Soon there were
complaints.  People who lived in the neighborhood complained of skaters
doing everything from parking in their driveways to urinating on their
premises.  The numbers of injuries became a serious strain on the San
Francisco Ambulance Service. 

The question of what to do about the skaters was soon before the
Recreation and Parks Commission. The media called it "The Great Skate
Debate".  The sentiment to ban skating in Golden Gate Park was very
strong.  After months of public discussion and meetings, the Recreation
and Parks Department designated four (4) areas in the park where
skating would be prohibited. The Conservatory of Flowers, the Music
Concourse, Stow Lake and Children's playground are known worldwide and
are very busy with pedestrian traffic every day. If skaters could not
be kept out of these areas, the Recreation and Parks Commission would
recommend a total skate ban in the park.

Peter Ashe, Assistant Recreation and Parks Superintendent presented the
idea of forming a "skate patrol" that would keep skaters out of the
restricted areas.  Each skate vendor truck provided two (2) skaters to
volunteer for "roller patrol" duty.  A total of sixty (60) skaters were
gathered and made up the first skate patrol. Eventually, the city
passed an ordinance banning all "recreational equipment vendors" (skate
trucks) from operating in San Francisco, but the skaters on the orginal
roller patrol stayed together and became the "Golden Gate Park Skate
Patrol".  

THE PRESENT

The Golden Gate Park Skate Patrol operates in the park from 11:00 A.M.
to 5:00 P.M. (to 6:00 P.M. during Daylight Savings Time.) every Sunday.
We help people in the park who may be lost, hurt or need assistance of
any kind.  All members are trained in First Aid and C.P.R.  We conduct
a free skate safe clinic every Sunday morning from 11:00 A.M. to noon. 


WHAT IS C.O.R.A.?

C.O.R.A. stands for the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association. 
This is an  organization that promotes the sport of outdoor
rollerskating in California. C.O.R.A. keeps and maintains an accurate
ranking of California skaters. C.O.R.A. also keep and recognizes
records in speedskating distances of 100 meters, 300 meters and 500
meters sprint races along with 5 kilometer 10 kilometers and point to
point races of various distances.  C.O.R.A. also recognizes records in
High Jump, Long Jump, Downhill Slalom and Freestyle Dance competition. 
C.O.R.A. is a resource for California skaters. We create a positive
image for the sport.  We work with local communities and other
organizations to create skating programs and other opportunities 
for people to participate in outdoor rollerskating.  C.O.R.A also
presents the "Skate Against Violence Experience".   This began with a
450 mile  S.F.to L.A. skate-a-thon on May 17-19 1995.  We are now
collecting used skates to be repaired and given to underprivileged
children during the Christmas holidays.

WHAT IS EXPLORING?

Exploring is not the Explorer Scouts.  There is no camping or knot
tying. Exploring was specifically designed to accommodate the city
dweller.  It is aimed at the urban youth and designed to provide urban
activities that effect youth in a positive way. The Golden Gate Park
Skate Patrol is also an Explorer Post for the Boy Scouts of America.
This allows our group to operate as a skate program that fosters a
positive attitude for our young members. As Explorer Post #582, we have
created circumstances that has proved to be ideal in providing positive
role models for youth through skating. The Skate Patrol members 14
through 20 years old make up what we call "Patrol Explorers".  They
work directly with the adult patrol members and get training in first
aid and C.P.R.  They patrol the park with the adult patrol members.
They participate in skate clinics where they learn intricate
skate maneuvers and speedskating technique.  

As an Explorer Post, the Boy Scouts of America provides our group with
both liability and accident insurance that covers all paid members. 
This situation also allows our group to obtain permits to present
organized skate competitions, skate camps, long distance marathons and
roller hockey. 

SKATE PATROL STRUCTURE

The Golden Gate Park Skate Patrol is made up of a Coordinator, three
(3) Team Captains, and adult and youth members. The Coordinator is the 
spokesman for the group.  He/She organizes, conducts meetings and takes
care of the day to day operation of the skate patrol.  The Coordinator 
communicates with the official governing body. (Rec and Parks Dept.,
city,county, etc.) The 1st Team Captain serves as Scouting Coordinator
for the Explorer Post.  He/She makes sure that the patrol operates
within the guidelines presented by Boy Scouts Of America.  The 2nd Team
Captain serves as first aid officer.  He/She makes sure all members
receive proper training and first-aid gear. The 3rd Team Captain serves
as equipment manager.  He/She makes sure all skate patrol personnel
have the proper uniform. 

HOW TO JOIN

In order to join the Golden Gate Park Skate Patrol one must first
attend the Sunday 12:00 noon meeting.  You must be sponsored by an
active skate patrol member.  After a verbal vote the applicant must go
through a six (6) week probation period.  During this period the
applicant must get training in C.P.R. and life saving first aid
techniques.  If the applicant fails to get the proper training, or
fails to show up every Sunday during his probation period,  he/she will
also fail to be accepted as a member of the Skate Patrol.  Exceptions
are made however, to accommodate job and school problems within reason,
but the applicant must show a sense of responsibility and dedication
during the probation period.  After the probation period is over, the
applicant will receive his/her uniform and becomes a full member of the
Skate Patrol.

HOW TO FORM A SKATE PATROL

To form a skate Patrol in a particular area these elements must be
present:

1.  There must be an area where skaters congregate.  It could be at the
    beach or in the city park. If there is no particular area where    
    skating exist, you may want to begin by circulating a petition in  
    your city to close a street in the park to automobile traffic. 

2.  You must have a core group of at least 10 dedicated skaters (5     
    youth and 5 adults).  It is best if these skaters are interested in
    speedskating as being on the skate patrol means doing quite a bit  
    of skating.

3.  You must have a business, skate shop, church or similar entity to  
    act as Chartered Organization Partner to meet Exploring            
    requirements. The Golden Gate Park Skate Patrol has the California 
    Outdoor Rollerskating Association signed on as the Chartered       
    Organization Partner.  This means that the C.O.R.A. will provide a 
    place for the Post to meet and provide a person to act as a liaison
    between the C.O.R.A. and the Boy Scouts of America.  

Nearly every city has a Boy Scout Area Council.  Dial 411. Ask the
operator for the number for the Boy Scouts of America.  Call the
number.  Ask to speak to someone in Exploring.  That person will help
you meet all Scouting criteria in forming your Explorer Post. Be
prepared to explain your plans in detail.  Once you have the core group
of volunteer skaters and the place needed to patrol, you then must
contact the governmental agency that governs your particular area.  If
your patrol area will be the park, contact your Recreation and Parks
representative.  Be prepared to explain your plans in detail.   

RESPONSIBILITY

You may be called a "Skate" Patrol, but you will find that everyone
will look to you for help.  It may be a lost child, a bike accident,
even criminal activity.  You will be the people on the seen first. You
will know where the telephones are,  the names of the areas where the
ambulance must come and the seriousness of the injuries.  You will have
the official injury counts.  Your local media will be looking at your
impact be it positive or negative.  If money is your motivation,  then
don't quit your day job.  If you want to get involved and do something
to positive for your community, skating and young people, this may be
the answer.