National Skating Month 2013
As more events occur, we'll post new updates.
Click here to view more photos from National Skating Month 2013!
More than 250 people attended Honnen Ice Arena's Great Skate in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Saturday, Jan. 5, including this happy skater!
Snowplow Sam spent a day during National Skating Month making a new friend in the Washington Capital's mascot Slapshot!
Jeff Marshall, skating director for the City of North Olmsted, was happy to report another successful National Skating Month event at the Recreation Center Ice Rink in North Olmsted, Ohio. In addition to three beginner skating lessons which were sold out, the event also featured a full schedule which included a Sled Hockey Tournament. See the picture below for a host of happy skaters.
On Friday, January 4th, the Colonial Skating Club of Pennsylvania held their National Skating Month event at the Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia.
The event started off with a 15-minute orientation reviewing the Learn to Skate program as well as the other programs offered at the Skate Zone. Coaches and assistants then helped find the right size skates and helped the participants lace them up. The skaters were then divided into classes based on age and skill. All the kids had a wonderful time, spending 20 minutes on skills and the final 10 minutes playing games. After the lesson was over we invited parents to skate with their children.
The event proved beneficial for the rink with several new enrollment to our Learn to Skate program. We can't wait to do it again next year!
Frosty the Snowman visited the Winter Carnival at the Glenview Ice Center for our National Skating Month event. Frosty donned a pair of skates and make a few laps around the rink, while also taking some time to snap photos with the many children who he met along the way.
The annual Winter Carnival at the Glenview Ice Center features events for the whole family - daily family public skate sessions, pictures on the Zamboni, a charity hockey game, hockey and figure skating lessons, skating exhibitions, Sundaes on Sundays and Pancakes with Mickey.
The carnival also featured special guest appearances from "Skates" the Chicago Wolves mascot, Ronald McDonald, Sponge Bob and Mickey Mouse.
For three days in December and January, the Snow King Sports and Events Center's Peak Performance Skating Academy offered free beginner level Learn to Skate lessons to Jackson residents. More than 120 kids took the opportunity to try skating, and parents were offered guidance on their kids' readiness for participation in more formal figure skating or ice hockey programs.
On January 6, a group of 11 adults even took the opportunity to try their hand at getting on the ice. The events were a tremendous success at getting members of our community who had never skated before on the ice for the first time. Many of the kids who participated have already registered for our beginner level skating program. We couldn't be more thrilled with the response from the Jackson community!
Center Ice of Oaks FSC had a weekend bake sale during their group hockey lessons, group skating lessons and public skate. There were roughly 600 people that came through and our figure skaters talked about the program and their accomplishments while raising money for our club.
As part of our National Skating Month activities, on January 9, 2013, the Skating Club of San Francisco hosted the fourth annual Celebration of Bay Area Skating at the Union Square Outdoor Rink in San Francisco. The show was sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating and directed by Paige Scott, with free admission to the public. The event not only kicked-off National Skating Month with performances by top local champions in pairs, singles and ice dancing, but it also was a send-off for skaters competing at the 2013 US Championships. For a small region like the Central Pacific, the number of those skating in this event and competing in the 2013 US Championships is impressive and includes: Dinh Tran, Sarah Kuhlman and Callen Zadrozny, Amanda Miller and Nikolay Usanov, Kaytlin Smith and Alain Sandraz, Aditya and Ananya Nandy, Karen Chen, 2012 U.S. novice champion, Sara Feng and Anthony Ponomerenko, Polina Edmunds, Cali Fujimoto and Nick Barsi-Ryhne, and Madeine Heritage and Nathaniel Fast. To top off the evening, the Skating Club of San Francisco honored Rudy Galindo for his induction in the 2013 U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
Flint, MI -- The Ice Mountain Figure Skating Club (IMFSC) took part in the United States Figure Skating Associations National Skating Month in January by hosting an "Everything Skating" event at the Perani Arena & Event Center, home of the Michigan Warriors, on Sunday, January 13. The Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint was filled with a bit of ice skating history, music, dancing, spirit and power! The IMFSC recruited a few of Michigan's most talented skaters and teams to introduce the community to the world of ice skating - from figures and freestyle to ice dancing and theater on ice.
No stranger to the community, Dave Kennedy was the "Commentator" on this unforgettable ice journey and began the celebration with the singing of the National Anthem! "Kennedy was the voice of the show," stated Karen Lemieux, Ice Mountain Figure Skating Coach and Event Coordinator. The community may remember Dave from his many appearances at the Pix Theater in Lapeer or from multiple dinner shows he has performed in for Vertigo Theatrics at Flint's Historic Masonic Temple -- such as "Chicago" where he played Amos Hart (aka Mr. Cellophane). Kennedy is not only a very talented writer and entertainer, but an extraordinary singer as well. Kennedy was a wonderful asset to helping take this ice exhibition to a whole new level with his theater and vocals.
"We were also thrilled to have join us National competitors from Harmony Theatre Company," stated Lemieux. "Harmony Theatre Company's Junior and Senior teams have been selected to represent the United States at the Nation's Cup in Logrono, Spain in April." Additional skaters and teams that performed in this charitable event represented clubs throughout the tri-county areas including Ice Mountain FSC, Detroit SC, ICES (International Center for Excellence in Skating), FSC of Birmingham, Iceland FSC, Ice House Skating Academy and Harmony Theatre Company.
There was also phenomenal talent from the exhilarating side of skating...power skating! You didn't want to miss several Grand Blanc Prep hockey players take the "Sanitate Power Skating Challenge!" Founder and Coach Suzy Sanitate has successfully taught thousands of students the skills they need for peak performance whether a hockey player or figure skater. But Ronald McDonald? A little humor was included in the narrative script with Ronald attempting to join the power skating challenge with a hockey stick and his bright red skates!
All this and for a great cause! A portion of the proceeds benefited Friends of Genesee County Animal Shelter (FGCAS), an "All Volunteer" 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. "I had Anna with me, a little brown 7 month old pup," stated Becki Wolf Williams, Founder of Friends of GCAS. "We did have a great time, met some wonderful people and that is what I was hoping for. To spread the news about adoption and inform is just as important as finding good homes."
Following the special skating exhibition at 2:00pm was a $5 public skate, promoted by Perani's, where you had the opportunity to Meet, Greet & Skate with Ronald McDonald along with several of the skating talents. Thanks to the Burton area McDonald's, the first 100 skaters that stepped on the ice for public skate received a BOG (Be Our Guest) coupon for one free ice cream!
For skating opportunities and upcoming events, stay tuned by visiting http://icemountainfigureskatingclub.yolasite.com/
The Eau Claire Figure Skating Club hosted a National Skating Month event along with the Clearwater Parade and Family Fun Night at Hobbs Ice Arena in Eau Claire, Wisc. The night started with the club marching in the parade which ended at the Ice Arena. At the arena there was Rock and Roll to Go DJ, brat stand, BBQ and a bonfire. The figure skating club had a booth for community members to get materials, make ornaments and sign up for our Learn to Skate Program. We also had our Annual Ice show playing for people to watch. Later in the night we put on an exhibition with club skaters for the community. During the community open skate, club members were out on the ice to assist skaters.
The Mid-South Ice House and the Figure Skating Club of Memphis hosted a successful, first annual open house. There were nine coaches and 26 volunteers that helped make the day a blast for our 140 participants. After the on-and off-ice instruction and practice, we had several of our skaters perform exhibition programs. We ended the day playing limbo, basketball, and dancing the "Cha Cha Slide."
On Saturday, January 12, 2013 the City of Mentor celebrated its 30th Anniversary. Along with the celebration, the City Learn to Skate Program, helped host a fun filled day of activities. In the morning we hosted a Pancake Breakfast (donations only with proceeds going to our Special Needs Program) for new equipment.
Through out the day, we offered "Free Figure Skating and Hockey Lessons" for all ages. I also offered a new event called the toddler crawl. Any child that could crawl and was under the age of three could participate. They wore helmets, snow pants, gloves and boots, got on the ice, and walked and crawled to stuffed animals on the ice. The parents and the children loved it. They all enjoyed their treat of cookies and juice when they were done.
The rest of the day was filled with open skate, exhibitions, games on ice in shoes and a DJ to host the event. We offered a lot of prizes, and a discount if they registered for our new session of Learn to Skate beginning January 28th. The arena had more than 700 people come through that day.
The Skating Club of Vail hosted a very nice event on Friday, January 18th. Our format was simple. We invited the community to come celebrate and skate with our club free of charge. Our club provided ice, skates, homemade baked goods and a giant cake. We used our free advertising sources through both the Vail Daily town talk section and the Vail Recreation Department marketing department. We also asked that members reach out personally to friends and schools. We were lucky enough to have roughly 150 participants including about 25 of our members. We asked our members to dress up in competition dresses or show costumes if they wanted to, but they were not required to. Our members over age 12 were there volunteering to help anyone who needed help on the ice. Our coaches also volunteered their time acting as safety monitors on the ice. It was truly a celebratory atmosphere, just fun with no pressure. We were extremely pleased with the turn out.
Almost 150 participants celebrated National Skating Month at Park City Ice Arena on Saturday, January 26. With NBC's coverage of U.S. Championships playing in the lobby, participants enjoyed free skating, free lessons from our staff of qualified instructors and a short figure skating exhibition by members of the Figure Skating Club of Park City. Club members were on hand to assist new skaters. Many new skaters registered for classes and all participant learned more about our great sport of figure skating!
Snowplow Sam visited Alabama during National Skating Month. The Point Mallard Figure Skating Club in Decatur, Ala. played host to Snowplow Sam during National Skating Month. The Club hosted a Skate with Sam on Saturday, January 12th. The skate included a group lesson, parachute games, hokey pokey, exhibition by Point Mallard skaters, and prize give away. The attendance for the day was more than 70 skaters. A wonderful turn out. Snowplow Sam demonstrated how to fall down properly, how to get up, and posed for many pictures with the skaters. Later in the month on Martin Luther King Day, Snowplow Sam made another appearance at the Point Mallard Ice Complex with the free skate hosted by the rink. For this annual skating event the numbers were staggering, more than 125 skaters showed up to participate in a free group lesson and free skate. A small exhibition was done during this too. Snowplow Sam's visit to Decatur, Ala. was welcomed with great excitement and we can't wait for next year. Since the first skate the group lesson enrollment has increased and our Club skaters have embraced the spirit of National Skating Month.
We held our first National Skating Day run by the city of Euclid, Ohio. With back ground support from Euclid Blade and Edge Club and donations from the Lake Erie Monsters,Cleveland Cavs, Youngstown Phantoms, I-X center indoor amusement park, Special Olympics and other local eateries. We gave away plenty of door prizes. Our program ran smooth with plenty of skating, figure and hockey demos and free lessons.The patrons numbering 147 were pleased at how we offered this event.This was a very busy weekend with the club hosting the Euclid Basic Skills competition on Saturday, running a Special Olympics area meet Sunday, then having our National Skating Day event in the evening.
KCIC (Kansas City Ice Center) in Shawnee Kan. hosted several events to celebrate NSM. During our public session skate time on Friday evenings (7:30p - 10:00) in Jan. we had Themed nights, 80's night, Hawaiian shirt night, Crazy pant night and school spirit night. On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays during our public in the evening (7:30p - 10:00p), we had family skate night where kids got to skate for free with a paid Adult admission. We ended our celebration of NSM with a Learn to Skate Free Open House skate with a free lesson, demonstrators and free skating and if they signed up for classes that day they received a discount. Fun and smiles were all around!
Click here to read the write up! (PDF)
To celebrate National Skating Month, the Dartmouth College Figure Skating Team invited skaters from the local club, the Skating Club at Dartmouth (SCAD), to have some fun on the ice. The community skaters in attendance represented a wide range of levels and abilities, from Snowplow Sam to Preliminary Freestyle. The event started with a half-hour open practice session of the Dartmouth College figure skaters, a team of 25 skaters. The SCAD skaters and parents were invited to watch. Following this, every SCAD skater was paired with a member of the Dartmouth College Figure Skating Team. Whether playing games of tag and shoot-the-duck with their younger counterparts, or offering a freestyle skater a few helpful hints on their scratch spin or spiral, each skating pair unanimously agreed that the event was a huge success, so successful in fact, that the two clubs are planning their next gathering. Jacki Smith, who is both the Coach of the Dartmouth College Figure Skating Team and the Executive Director of SCAD, came up with this very exciting way for community skaters and collegiate skaters to come together. Building on this momentum, just one week later, the two skating clubs gathered again for a U.S. Championships watch party at a local restaurant. SCAD and the collegiate skaters will have, yet, another opportunity to come together in support of the Intercollegiate Championships, which will be hosted by Dartmouth College in April of this year. This event was truly a success. It allowed for cross-generational interactions between skaters where by younger skaters could learn new elements from the older skaters, creating an opportunity for collegiate skaters to share their love of figure skating in a mentoring role. For the community skaters, this was a great way to have fun! From the parents' perspective, it was exciting to learn that there is, indeed, life after high school skating! We are very fortunate to live in a community, Hanover, N.H. and its surrounding areas, where collegiate skating and community skating can join forces and to have a coach who straddles both worlds.
During National Skating Month, the Idaho Falls Figure Skating Club hosted their annual "It's Great to Skate" event. Thirteen club members and skating friends taught three sessions of free lessons to 112 participants ranging in age from 3-65. The lessons were followed by an hour of open skating where 175 to 200 people enjoyed practicing what they learned, or just skating with friends and family. The USFS "It's Great to Skate" giveaways, were well received (one of the Snowplow Sam students calls the bookmarks she choose, her "tickets" and proudly carries them everywhere with her. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, one young skater summed up the event as she left the rink with a big smile on her face, she said, "Thank you, it was fun!"
The Richmond Skating Stars & Central Virginia Skating Club hosted two free lesson events on January 19 and January 30 at the Richmond Ice Zone. Our January 19 event was a carnival themed event with on and off ice games (& fun prizes!). Both events brought about 200 people to the Ice Zone. We also included exhibitions by club members to showcase that many different ages and levels can participate in our program!
For our very first National Skating Month celebration we wanted to do something fun for our junior members, recognize our competitors and welcome Penn State Skating School Basic Skills students who have shown an interest in furthering their skating to our Club. The Club decided to dedicate one hour of our junior member ice time to the event. The event was free to all participants, and the Penn State Ice Pavilion provided rental skates free of charge to our basic skills skaters. Five Penn State pro staff instructors donated their time to work with twenty-one skaters in attendance. Our skaters enjoyed on-ice group instruction, loved game time (especially the shoot the duck contest and playing blob), and showed enthusiastic support for our Keystone State Games Competitors who performed their competitive programs at the end of the hour. At the end of the event the skaters received free skating themed coloring pages, word search puzzles and goodie bags filled with U.S. Figure Skating promotional items. A few days after the event one of the basic skills participants joined the Club.
Beth Eckert (chair), Dena Yeagley, and Jessica Shulik (PSFSC members and Penn State Rink Pro Staff) were the organizers of the event. Gary Mitchell (PSFSC President), Cathy Holsing (PSFSC membership chair), and Shirley Allan (PSFSC Honorary Lifetime Member) ran the registration table.
It was a fun, successful day!
Our National Skating Month event brought more than 100 people to the rink and they enjoyed a Theater on Ice exhibition skate prepared for this occasion by our skaters and coaches. After the exhibition, the ice was pretty crowded with lots of eager and excited new skates. Our coaches, skaters and parent volunteers were providing instruction and assistance to those that had struggled on the ice or had questions. It was a busy and fun event with good exposure to the community.\
