the SkateNow shop'

Like you we are skaters, but please read on for more details.... we won't be the first nor last couple to have met while skating and build a life around a sport we truly love!

'the SkateNow shop’ by Skatenow, llc evolved out of pure love and devotion to the sports of speedskating, both ice and inline.   Owner's Eric Kraan and Kimberly Simons-Kraan established the business in 2001 in response to an inherent need to support the local community of skaters in Utah, USA where they reside. 

Whether on wheels or ice, speedskating is their sport.  Both Eric and Kimberly compete in inline racing, with marathon skating as their first choice to go that extra mile.  As avid inline skaters,  together they opened Utah's first ever inline skate school with IISA certified inline instructors in 2001, the SkateNow Skate School, llc..  Both teach inline classes and clinics throughout the greater Salt Lake area through programs established with local Salt Lake area parks and recreation facilities,  the University of Utah's BIP program, and the new Park City Ice Arena, as well as offering Private and Group Instruction.  And, it doesn't stop there. SkateNow plays hosts to a number of local inline events during the summer seasons, including the Greek Festival, Draper Days, West  Jordan inline 5Kand 10K race events, Fun-Roll BBQ's, a summer Skate Tour, and Salt Lake's Friday Nite Roll. With a small and growing enthusiastic group of local skaters, Eric and Kimberly established Salt Lake's first ever "Friday Nite Rolls" in summer of 2004, and they've been rolling around town ever since. Their personal involvement as well as professional efforts and expertise have had a rewarding impact in supporting the growth and fostering development of the local community of skaters in Utah. 

Eric is a level II USS certified ice speedskating coach, and coaches independently at the Utah Olympic Oval facility, when he is not busy training and working towards his own personal speedskating goals.  Eric is the pioneer and founder, and first ever member of the Mexican National Speedskating Team of Long Track Speedskating.  With Eric's individual due diligence and hard efforts, an official Long Track Speedskating Team for Mexico was established in the 2001-2002 season.  Eric was then able to participate in World Cup events, proudly representing his native country of Mexico. There are currently 4 members of the Mexican National Long Track Team.  It is his hope to achieve a spot on the Mexican National Olympic Team for Olympic participation in the sport of long track speedskating, and to further facilitate development of the Mexican National speedskating team. Eric & Kimbery were invited to Mexico City in 2007 to demostrate the sport of short track speedskating, in the zocalo of Mexcio City, to upwards of 50,000 spectators, a perfect opportunity to promote the sport of speedskating. The event was so successful we were invited back for closing cermeonies in January 2008. 

Eric also coaches Salt Lake's very own:  'Salt City Derby' Team:  Women's 100 meter Flat Track Roller Derby. 

Both Kimberly & Eric are also PSIA certified alpine ski instructors and actively promote the benefits of cross-training on skates to skiers during their off-season. Skiing & Skating are a perfect marriage of sports to help you stay conditioned all year round. 

Kimberly  has been skating for over 15 years, initially discovering skating as a means to cross-train for ski season.... skating soon dominated as her sport of choice.  Within a few years time she pursued marathon skating as a means to achieve personal goals, stay fit, and skate in cool places such as Tahiti, France, and elsewhere around the globe. Kimberly is also a professional architect, with an environmental eye for sustainable design.  Her goals include being able to design and build a velo-drome facility for skating and cycling in Utah, and do design for ice ovals internationally.  She also runs both the skate school and 'the skatenow shop' in partnership with husband Eric, and is the web-mistress for the SkateNow Skate School, llc.,  'the SkateNow shop', and Team Mexico.  

We look forward to keeping you geared up for the sports you love, ice and inline speedskating!

All the best to you in your skating endeavors,

     
Eric R. Kraan and Kimberly Simons Kraan
       owners, 'the SkateNow shop'

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 MEDIA RELEASES:

• Salt Lake Tribune:  SkateNow Couple finds bliss on Skates 2004
  
• Park Record:   Inline News  2004
  
• TV2 - Morning Show: Inline Skating:  Fun & Safe 2004
  
• TV2 Healthly Living Segment:  Inline Skating for Health & Fitness 2004
• Salt Lake Tribune:  Couple finds Bliss on Blades 2005
  
• Salt City Derby segment  2006/2007
  
• Deseret New: Coach Kraan & Derby 2007
  
• Salt Lake City Weekly:  Derby 2007/2008
  
• Mexico City Press:  Ice Speedskating, Zocalo:  December 2007 - January 2008
• Utah Sports Guide: Fall issue 2008- Inline for Skiing
  

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