Hamilton skaters in the medals

Five Hamilton skaters rolled into Timaru and rolled out again with a swag of medals from the National Roller Sports Championships.

Artistic dance skaters Tegan Gilliver and Beverly Mackenzie brought home three golds and two silvers between them, while 12-year-old artistic free skater Gilda Knox Streader, at her first national competition, was third in the novice free skating event.

Madison Curran (free skating) and Ben Squires (speed skating) also took part in the eight-day competition.

The five train at the Hamilton Rollerskating Club's Melville rink.

The artistic skaters compete on quad skates while the speed skaters use specialised, inline speed skates.

"The club is always looking for new talent, so if you want to try your hand at this exciting sport, or simply want to experience a bit of 1980s retro, then come along to one of our sessions, we'll make you feel welcome," says club president Kathy Moody, who is also a free skating coach.

The club's popular public skating sessions resume at the rink next week. These include family fun skating on Sundays from 10am-noon.

Learn to skate sessions are on Mondays, 5.30-6.30pm, and general skating sessions on Thursdays, 7-9pm.

Speed skating training sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-7pm. Hire skates are available at the rink.

For more information, phone Pearl Best on 07 847 4527.