Download File - Roller Ski Texas

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San,.lntonio
reat adventures and wonderful acdvities abor:nd in San
- and to stay 6t and healthy, it's nor just what
you eat but whar you do. The possibiliries seem endless,
Antonio
aad more than we could fit in just one article. So every
will bringone or two new ways we've discovered
issue we
to help yor.r have fun and stay fit.
This issue, discover kayaking on the San Antonio River, Stand Up
Paddle Boarding at Blue Star in Southtown, and roller skiing jusr about
anlwhere you can walk.
S PEN D AN AFTERNOON KAYAKING
ATMISSION REACH
No need to drive an houroutside ofthecity toexperience nature while
6l I was born and raised righc here in San Antonio and
staying cool and
AND KFV]N
Riua
SAN
ANTONIO
FT,MMEI-
(Photo ta Sopha Cota)
Antonio fuver was apossibility.
Thanks ro the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation
Project, anyone can kayak through the missions on the San Antooio River The San Antonio fuver Improvements Project transformed an eighthad no idea kayaking on the San
mile stretch ofthe fuver into a quality woodland ecosystem to make the
kalakingtrip a smooth and enioyable erperience.
David Morin and Jack Michel, both 25 years old, realized hiking and
biking trails would be a huge part of the Mission Reach Prolect. Mr Morin, a kayaker and outdoor enthusiast, saw a void: a river with no paddlers.
He approached the citywith his pal, Mr. Michel and by Oct. 5,2013, they
were in business. Their out6t, Mission Kayak at Espada Park, was born.
The young entrepreneurs want to be part of the outdoor aod recreadonal renaissance happening all across San Antonio. And they want to
make rhe experience accessible to everyone.
"\Ve think San Anaonio is an exciting and awesome place to live and
FDIBTESANANTONlO,COM 33
we want [o be parr of that growth
and contribute to it," Mr Morin
said. "Our goal is to get everybody
river sport will help burn off rhe
brunch calories too.
SAIX is open Thursthrough Sunday every week.
Appointments are required for
SUP
on the water - so we have a variety
of options to suit almost any indi-
days
vidual need."
Thursdays and Fridays but Sarurdays and Sundays are open to
walk-up customers. For more in'
Individual rentals are $10 per
hour, but rle pair offers longer
packages that include shuttle rides
formation call 210-850-2210 or
and more.
visit SUPSATX.com.
Kayaking is something anyone
do! In jusr a few hours at Mission Kayak, paddlers ranged from
SNOW NOT
INCLUDED:
can
the very young, about 5, to
rhe
ROLLER SKI TEXAS
BzuNGS OLYMPIC
SPORT TO SAN
more seasoned kayakers. Kids under eight can go for the ride with
a parent. Mission Kayak boasts 14
sturdy kayaks, l0 for adult and four
ANTONIO
smaller ones. Li[e jackets are also
Pl,li )D lttiu.
lligbt&.{ rlut
n,n.y
ar oriawry,ol ptnnid,! tulltiti. (C\tu.tulr Plato)
Kayaking down the San Antonio
Riveris truly a majestic experience participaots enjoy scenic views ofour historic Missions and newly renovated ecosystem, better still, kayaking is a grear source ofexercise. From
experience, kayaking can definitely be a work out! Ifyou kayak regularly
San Antonio temperatutes
may well be in the triple digirs,
but one ofthe world's most popular winter sports is fourishing in the heart of the Alamo City. Locals,
some ofwhich have never even seen snow, are spinning rheir wheels to
enjoy all the health bene6ts ofthis new brand ofcross-country skiing.
and at a faster pace, kayaking provides a great upper body and core work
out. And ifyou're reallyserious about ir,you can even get agoodwork out
for your legs.
Founded by Philipp Dmitriev, Roller Ski TLxas was born out oflove
for his favorite child-hood sport, cross-country skiing. Raised in Siberia
where it wasn't such a challenge to have the righr amounr ofsnow, he was
available.
so
^
To learn more, visit missionkayak.com or call (210) 849-2958,
compelled to find a way to overcome the obvious obstacle here in San
Aatonio.
THERE'S A NEW
KIND OF STAND UP
IN SOUTHTOWN
Paddle boarders rejoicel SUP SAIX (shorr for Stand Up Paddle
boarding) provides the ultimate downtown experience and opens the San
Antonio fuver at least by the Blue Srar Arts Complex
r.rp
to recreational
spordng again.
The city ofSan
the SUP
Antonio recently gave the team
irs blessingto
SAIX operation in the heart ofBlue Star
conduct
by rhe rivers
Stand up paddle boarding is much easier than it looks. It certainly
bit daunting, especially for 6rst timers, but the challenge is maintaining balance for longperiods.
seems a
SUP SAIX manager Ruben Gonzales gave us a tour ofrhe San Antonio fuver and a lesson to ensure a smooth lirsr ride. Aftergctting familiar
with the process, paddle boardingfelt as easy as riding a bicycle orjumping on a trampoline.
The sport burns calories, is a great form of excrcise, and strengthens
back muscles due to rowing. Legs get
a
grear workout too from the con-
stant need to maintaining balance. Paddle boarding is a very good full
body exercise thar strengthens several important areas and fun
Ifyour summer schedule looks busy, Mr. Gonzales said SUP SAIX
will stay open year-round, even when t€mperarures cool down during
winre r. He\ er.cited to be parr ofrhe burgeoning communiry
"South Town gets <iverlookedl' Mr Gonzales said. "Takiog this stroll
shows thar this commr:niry in the south is somethingyou can really take
part o( "
Once you experience paddle boarding on rhe San Antonio River,
the charm of the area will draw you back. Bring a towel and the new
34
Cdibh SAN
ANTONIO
AUCUST,/SEPTEMBER 2014
The fact that we have no snow spurred Mr Dmirriev to acl When he
6rst moved to San Anronio, he started to practice roller skiing in McAlister Park. The unusual skates drew questions and in[erest, so he forned
a group called RollerSkiGxas.com as a resource for fellow aspiring roller
Mr. Dmietrivsaidthe response to rollerskiinghas beenpositive.
"Since I started introducing the public ro roller skiing the response
has been nothing but extraordinary," Mr. Dmitriev explained. "Every
skiers, So far,
week new guests show up for the inrroducrory meet-ups and they all
get a chance to experience cross country skiingwithout leaving Tlxas.
I'm proud to
say
gives me a sense
that being a pioneer of the sport in San Antonio,
see more and more people
of accomplishment to
roller skiing."
Roller Ski TLxas and Mr Dmitriev are now on a mission to help residents become acquainted with the sport. And it's easy to understand
why.
Roller skiing can be a solid cardio workout that's gentler on joints
than runningor cycling, which is a great beneEr for those hoping to avoid
stressing re-occurring injuries. It also makes the sport popular for all ages.
Unlike cycling, roller skiing improves upper-body srengrh, as well as the
Iegs.It burns more calories than most othercardio activities and rones the
chest, upper back, arms,legs and abdominal muscles.
Best ofall, roller skiingis incredibly easy to learn,
"My goal is to help people get into shape by doingsomethingfun," says
Dmitriev "Roller skiing
is the perfect solution."
Enjoy free introductory sessions at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the
Al Becken Pavilion in McAlister Park.
To learn more, visit rollerskitexas.com or email [email protected]. i"r

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