National Skating Month 2007
More than 350 clubs signed up to take part in the month-long event, breaking the old mark of 304 set in 2006.
See photos from National Skating Month 2007
The Fox Morning Show's Kenny Crumpton did a live broadcast from the Mentor Civic Arena ice rink, conducting interviews with a number of the rink's officers. The Mentor Ice Diamonds preliminary synchronized skating team promoted the Tri-State Synchronized Skating Competition, being held in Mentor on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. Crumpton talked with a number of skaters, from beginners through seniors. He even hit the ice and skated a circle with the Ice Diamonds! Watch Kenny's report here.
Hobart Arena, Troy, Ohio (Basic Skills Program)
Hobart Arena in Troy, Ohio, held an "It's Great to Skate" night on Sunday, Jan. 7. Approximately 100 skaters turned out, with lessons given by club professional Glenn Replogle and lots of help from the junior club and adult club skaters. Hobart Arena donated the ice time, and a wonderful evening was had by all.
Compuware Sports Arena, Plymouth, Mich.
The Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth, Mich., offered free pubic skating on Jan. 6, which 110 people attended in celebration of National Skating Month. Attendees received promotional items from U.S. Figure Skating as well as trial lessons from the arena's instructional staff. Information was available about U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey and classes offered by the arena. Overall, the day was thoroughly enjoyable.
Swonder Ice Arena, Evansville, Ind.
One hundred kids and a handful of adults turned out at Swonder Ice Arena in Evansville, Ind., for Swonder's first-ever "Free Lesson Day" on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 6, in celebration of National Skating Month. The event included both figure skating and hockey skating lessons. Amy Held, skating director at Swonder, said Saturday's event was held so the public "could enjoy our facility and see what we have." Jared Austin reported on the event for the local NBC affiliate, 14 WFIE. Watch his report here.
Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities, Davenport, Iowa
The FSC of the Quad Cities in Davenport, Iowa, held its eighth annual "It's Great to Skate" clinic at the Quad-City Sports Center on Saturday, Jan. 6. The event included group lessons, open skating and an exhibition by the River's Edge synchronized skating team. Skaters were assigned to one of six stations, each of which taught a different skill, including turns, edge rolls, pivots, spins, spirals and jumps. Door prizes were given out as well. The Quad-City Times ran a story on the event, which you can read here.
Murray Silver Blades FSC, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Murray Silver Blades Figure Skating Club in Salt Lake City, Utah, celebrated National Skate Week by having a "Sleepover at the Rink" at the County Ice Center. Club members arrived at the rink at 9:45 p.m. and enjoyed a variety of activities until they fell asleep. They brought tons of snacks, played on- and off-ice games, danced to Dance Dance Revolution and watched movies. They rolled out of their sleeping bags at 6:30 a.m. (before the hockey players arrived) and enjoyed a quick breakfast before they went home to catch up on their sleep. A great time was had by all.
Wichita Ice Center, Wichita, Kan.
The Wichita Ice Center hosted its sixth annual "It's Great to Skate!" clinic on Jan. 6, 2007. More than 50 children and adults participated in the clinic, with 23 of them being completely new to the sport of skating. Highlights of the clinic included a free skating lesson for figure skating and hockey and an exhibition performed by four members of the rink's skating academy as well as public skate time, door prizes and promotional giveaways from U.S. Figure Skating. A booth in the lobby was set up by the Wichita Figure Skating Club to answer questions about club membership and the sport of figure skating. At the conclusion of the clinic, many of the participants mentioned that they planned to return the Wichita Ice Center to begin lessons and continue their fun on the ice!
Crystal Ice Figure Skating Club, Stevens Point, Wisc.
The Crystal Ice Figure Skating Club held its annual "Dress Exhibition" on Monday, Jan. 8. It was a fun-filled evening with pizza, soda, snacks and a lot of great skating. The club's three synchronized skating teams had an opportunity to skate their new programs. In addition, any skater who wanted to perform his or her competition routines in front of a crowd in the friendly confines of the K.B. Willett Arena could also do so. The girls (our club doesn't have any male skaters) had a great time bonding with their club-mates and cheering on their buddies.
Columbus Figure Skating Club, Columbus, Ohio
The Columbus Figure Skating Club hosted a "Skate With Us" free open house/clinic on Dec. 30, 2006, to let potential group lesson students meet club members and professionals. Approximately 40 skaters participated, the majority at a Snowplow Sam - Basic 3 level.
HiLine Skating, Glasgow, Mont.
HiLine Skating in Glasgow, Mont., celebrated National Skating Month on Wednesday, January 10, 2007. There were 55 participants on the ice and many more in the stands. The 90-minute session was used as registration for the second session of Basic Skills lessons. Every child went home with a pencil, lip balm and at least one other item. Other popular activities were a grand march and the creation of an "It's Great to Skate" poster.
Figure Skating Club of Park City, Park Ciy, Utah
The Park City Ice Arena and the Figure Skating Club of Park City in Park City, Utah, hosted their first annual National Skating Month celebration on Jan. 7. Participants were treated to free skating lessons, door-prize drawings (including free public sessions and learn-to-skate classes) and a short figure skating exhibition. The newly organized club also hosted a table with a wealth of information about U.S. Figure Skating and figure skating in general.
Louisville Skating Academy, Louisville, Ky.
As part of National Skating Month, Louisville Skating Academy hosted two free ice skating clinics: the traditional free clinic for the general public and a special therapeutic clinic for people with disabilities. The free clinic was held Saturday, Jan. 6, at Iceland Sports Complex, in Louisville, Ky. Approximately 500 people attended this event, which included an introductory class, free skate time, an exhibition by two of LSA's synchronized skating teams, face painting and door prizes. The therapeutic clinic for individuals with mental or physical disabilities was held Saturday, Jan. 13 at Iceland, with 20 skaters participating. The clinic included an off-ice introduction to skating, a synchronized skating performance, on-ice instruction, face painting and door prizes. Both clinics were promoted by a local television news station and two local newspapers.
Mississippi Figure Skating Club, Flowood, Miss.
The Mississippi Figure Skating has held several National Skating Month-related events in December and January, with still more planned in the coming months including:
- In December, the club ran newspaper ads giving away a free pair of beginner Jackson Skates (approx. value: $24) for every new skater who pre-registered for lessons in January. About 12 new students signed up with this promotion.
- Free ice skating classes for the "birthday person" when he or she booked his or her birthday party at the Ice Park in January. Ten new students have joined our classes through this promotion.
- Radio spots on WLEZ 103.7 featuring interviews with club administrators Shane Douglas, Dodie Harrell and Danielle Cooley.
- Skate-shaped sugar cookies to be passed out to class participants later this month.
- All local newspapers next month will post registration data in their calendars for the next round of class sessions starting March 5.
- Quotes posted on the "skater's bulletin board" with why our skaters started taking skating lessons and why they continue to skate. Some examples are...
Why Did You Start Taking Lessons?
- "I watched the Olympics and just had to try it" - Haley
- "My cousin Annie skates and I wanted to try it" - Ben
- "I liked skating with my dad when he brought me to the Ice Park" - Caroline
- "I figured out how to do crossovers at a skating party and wanted to learn more" - Kiersten
Why Do You Continue Taking Skating Lessons?
- "I like the challenge of learning new competition programs" - Jessica, skater for five years
- "This is a goal-oriented sport with set levels and elements. I like that aspect and the fact that there is always something new to learn." - Shawn, adult skater for two years
- "It's fun to skate!" - Jamie, skater for over a year
- "My coach makes it a lot of fun!"-Alexis, skater for four years
- "I came for the exercise and stayed because it's the only exercise I have ever loved, look forward to doing and hate missing. It's exciting!" - Glenda, adult skater for more than a year
RecZone Skating School, Raleigh, N.C.
The RecZone Skating School held its "It's Great to Skate" clinic on Monday, Jan. 15, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. An appearance by National Skating Month 2007 spokesperson Kristi Yamaguchi was the highlight of this year's clinic.
Kristi was introduced to the skaters and spent 30 minutes doing a question and answer session with more than 100 skaters. (Everyone got a good laugh when a young skater asked Kristi if she had ever skated in any "big" competitions.) The skaters then were split into groups according to level and received a lesson from the RecZone coaching staff, while Kristi floated around and tried to give each skater a little one-on-one time. The skaters were then lined up to take an individual photo with Kristi, and each skater got to have one item autographed; most chose a skate.
The session concluded with free skate time and the distribution of goodies from U.S. Figure Skating. More than 20 local figure skaters showed up to volunteer their time. It was a wonderful morning for all! The News & Observer ran a couple articles about the RecZone's "It's Great to Skate" clinic, which you can read by clicking here and here.
Fairbanks Figure Skating Club, Fairbanks, Alaska
The Fairbanks Figure Skating Club in Fairbanks, Alaska, is holding its National Skating Month celebration on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Big Dipper Ice Arena. To let people know about it, the club created a 30-second TV commercial, which you can view here.
Aspen Ice Figure Skating Club, Randolph, N.J.
Aspen Ice FSC held an "It's Great to Skate" day on Sunday, Jan. 14, during its "Learn to Skate" session. A table was set up with goodies and information about skating and the club. The Board of Trustees was present and talked with many new parents of future skaters about U.S. Figure Skating and how best to proceed from a Learn to Skate program. All of those interested were invited to come and be a guest at a club session or, at the very least, come visit and watch the club members have fun skating.
Newbridge Arena Skating School, Bellmore, N.Y.
The Newbridge Arena Skating School had more than 150 people come to see its Eastern Sectional and U.S. Championships competitors give an exhibition. The performers included senior pairs team Chloe Katz and Joseph Lynch, senior lady Joelle Forte, junior man Michael Quadrino and the novice dance team of Janine Ashley Halstead and Robert Knopf. The main event was an "I Love Skating" day held on Jan. 15. This program, for tots and parents, included a lunchtime pizza party followed by a reading of the book "I Love Skating" by Jane Feldman. The book's subject, Anastasia Gromova, skates at the club, and she came in to read to the children. A great thrill for the tots was a mini-show featuring skaters who had participated in the event in the past, younger freestyle skaters from the skating school and Anastasia herself. This was followed up by lessons on how to fit and tie skates and, finally, on-ice fun and games.
Iorio Arena, Walpole, Mass.
Iorio Arena in Walpole, Mass., held its second annual National Skating Month celebration on Jan. 27. Iorio hosted more than 200 participants, for whom coffee and doughnuts were provided. The morning kicked off with an on-ice demonstration featuring a "Through the Years" theme. Performers ranged from Basic Skills participants to senior-level competitors. After the morning performances, parents, children and friends were invited onto the ice for an open skate. Participants skated to classic songs by groups like The Beach Boys, among others. Junior assistants led the group in dances such as "YMCA" and "The Twist." At the end of the day, children were all given skate keychains, pencils and notepads provided by U.S. Figure Skating.
Fairbanks FSC, Fairbanks, Alaska
The Fairbanks Figure Skating Club held its National Skating Month celebration from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Big Dipper Ice Arena in Fairbanks, Alaska. Beginning the day-long event was a recital with 21 Fairbanks FSC singles skaters. This was followed by four free half-hour lessons, which provided slots for 160 skaters. Ten coaches and instructors taught a mostly beginner crowd, and the Big Dipper staff provided skate rental service.
During the lessons, the younger members of the club manned a nine-game carnival, with fun activities such as a "Lace the Skate" fishing game. Small prizes were awarded to every participant at each game. Skating-themed coloring pages and puzzles were offered in a quiet area, and the video "Skating Through Time" was shown on a TV. Snowplow Sam was there in his earmuffs and blue scarf for photo opportunities. The hockey and ice-carving community responded to our invitation with concessions and information tables. A local figure skating store brought in all kinds of figure skating gear.
The grand finale was a free open skate, which included about 130 participants. This was followed by the Fairbanks FSC's fundraiser, a skate-a-thon.
Champlain Valley SC, Burlington, Vt.
On January 14, the Champlian Valley SC rented the Paquette Arena's smaller, second surface during public skating. It offered information about group lessons and activities run by the rink. Information about the club, including its Theatre on Ice and synchonized skating teams, were also provided. Two club pros and several junior members volunteered to teach free group skating lessons. The prizes - especially the pencils and ChapStick - were a big hit. T-shirts were given to young group lesson skaters living in different communities. The remaining "prizes" were used in a drawing that was held during the arena's group lesson programs.
Champlain Valley SC, Burlington, Vt.
On January 14, the Champlian Valley SC rented the Paquette Arena's smaller, second surface during public skating. It offered information about group lessons and activities run by the rink. Information about the club, including its Theatre on Ice and synchonized skating teams, were also provided. Two club pros and several junior members volunteered to teach free group skating lessons. The prizes - especially the pencils and ChapStick - were a big hit. T-shirts were given to young group lesson skaters living in different communities. The remaining "prizes" were used in a drawing that was held during the arena's group lesson programs.
The Edge Ice Arena, Holland, Mich.
The Edge Ice Arena hosted "It's Great to Skate" clinics in Holland, Mich., on Saturday, Jan. 20 and 27. More than 200 skaters participated at both events, with local newspaper coverage one week prior to the first date. Skaters and coaches from the local skating club, Skaters Edge of West Michigan, participated as guest instructors. Participants were taught the basic level one elements, and the center of the ice was sectioned off for skaters interested in learning more about the Basic Skills curriculum. The events were both a huge success and a great opportunity for the coaches and skaters of the local club and Basic Skills program to teach participants basic skating skills, promote physical fitness through skating and express to others an overall enthusiasm and love for the sport of skating.
Berkley Royal Blades Figure Skating Club, Berkley, Mich.
The Berkley Royal Blades FSC, located in a suburb north of Detroit, held its fifth annual clinic on Jan. 21 as part of U.S. Figure Skating's National Skating Month. Despite the threat of a winter storm, the event drew more than 120 participants, ranging in age from toddlers to adults, for the nearly two-hour session. The clinic was promoted through a flyer distributed in public schools in the area and through an article published in a local newspaper serving several communities in the area.
The program began with a 15-minute exhibition by seven of the club's skaters representing various levels. After a brief orientation, skaters were grouped into various sections of the ice depending on age, skill level and previous ice experience: new skaters, toddler-6, 7-12, 13-adult, skaters already enrolled in a Basic Skills program and skaters working on jumps and spins. One or more coaches, assisted by club members, worked with each group for a half hour. Then the skaters had the remaining thirty minutes of the session to try out their newly learned skills or simply to have fun on the ice.
Bloomington Ice Garden Skate School, Bloomington, Minn.
The Bloomington Ice Garden Skate School held its "It's Great to Skate!" event on Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Day. It was a great time for kids to enjoy this activity, as evidenced by the turnout -- more than 275 skaters participated in the event.
Pettit National Ice Center, Milwaukee, Wisc.
Jan. 13-14 - Speed skating meet
The Pettit National Ice Center held the North American/Oceania Regional Qualifier for the 2007 World Allround Speed Skating Championships on the Olympic Oval. The public was urged to come and watch world-class speed skating, and then try out the oval for themselves. This competition featured skaters from the U.S. and Canada, six of whom had Olympic medals to their name.
Jan. 27 - Skate with the Mascots
This event has become the staple of Pettit's National Skating Month celebration. Both local and national mascots were invited to the Jan. 27 public skating session, and mascots were in attendance from 1-4 p.m. More than 20 mascots were present for the event, and they could be seen welcoming folks as they entered the lobby/building, skating on the Olympic Oval and handing out goodies to the kids.
The highlight of the event was the Klement's Racing Sausages - the same sausages that run a race at every Milwaukee Brewers game at Miller Park. The Pettit staff was responsible for finding people to wear the suits, and it looked for the best skaters possible. A collection of figure skaters, hockey players, speed skaters and facility volunteers put on quite a show. Four sausage ice skating races were held, much to the delight of the public skaters. The staff handed out U.S. Figure Skating and National Skating Month giveaway items, along with skating school, birthday party and summer camp information.
Wilmington Figure Skating Club, Wilmington, Del.
The Wilmington Figure Skating Club celebrated National Skating Month this year by having a freeskate for its Basic Skills members as well as their families and friends. The club's coaches volunteered their time, giving members the opportunity to sign up for a free private or semi-private lesson during the freeskate. The club offered hot chocolate, coffee, muffins, bagles and donuts, and distributed the giveaways provided by U.S. Figure Skating. It also promoted local Basic Skills competitions, private and semi-private lessons, and several club activities.
Georgetown Ice Center, Hudsonville, Mich.
Georgetown Ice Center celebrated National Skating Month for the first time on Saturday, Jan. 20, with roughly 97 registered participants and more than 100 skaters. Among the enticements offered were a 2-for-1 deal during open skate for all participants who registered for the event and free 10-minute skating lesson for the duration of the open-skate session. Tables were set up around the rink lobby with general skating information for skaters and parents, information about the Learn-To-Skate program, coloring book pages with figure skating and hockey cartoon pictures for kids, and a raffle drawing that included a goodie bag filled with U.S. Figure Skating giveaways. The volunteers (parents from the Learn-To-Skate program and sisters from the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority), rink staff and Learn-To-Skate coaches made the event a huge success.
Mount Pleasant Ice Arena, Baltimore Md.
Dorothy Hamill joined skaters at the Mount Pleasant Ice Arena on Feb. 3 to help celebrate National Skating Month. Hamill, who has lived in Baltimore since 1997, skates regularly at Mt. Pleasant and came to the rink during the celebration to help encourage young skaters to pursue the sport. Hamill joined group lesson skaters on the ice to pose for photographs. She also signed autographs and posed off the ice for some of the hundreds of fans that attended the public event. The celebration continued with a free Basic Skills clinic during the public session.
