International Flare at Dorothy Hamill Figure Skating Fantasy Camp for Adults

by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online

Anita Lawrence-Porter learns choreography moves from camp coach Nathan Birch

At the recent Dorothy Hamill Figure Skating Fantasy Camp for Adults, in Nantucket, Mass., skaters came from across the country, including the Skating Club of Boston, the Houston Figure Skating Club and the Baltimore Figure Skating Club.

The camp even had a little international flare with Anita Lawrence-Porter, of the Sydney Figure Skating Club, coming all the way to Massachusetts. And yes, that is in Sydney, Australia.

"I wanted to find a camp specifically designed for adults so I Googled 'adult skating camps'," Lawrence-Porter said. "Only a few entries came up and Dorothy's was one of them."

Lawrence-Porter liked the fact that the Hamill Camp responded so quickly and with detailed information about the camp.

"The camp's website promotes the camp in a professional and informative way so this made my choice an easy one. I particularly liked the images, video footage and daily itineraries posted on her site," she said.

Adult skaters from all levels are welcome at the annual Figure Skating Fantasy Camp from the beginner who has never stepped on the ice to the adult gold medalist. Skaters absorb every aspect of the sport through week-long presentations by Hamill and her guest coaches, Olympic and World skaters Randy Gardner, Peter Carruthers and JoJo Starbuck, choreographers Tim Murphy and Nathan Birch, and coaches Elin Gardiner Schran and Julie Patterson.

Lawrence-Porter began skating at the age of 41 and has been skating for five years. She currently competes in ice dancing with her coach and partner, Tim Heinecke, and is on the silver-pre-gold track. Australia does not yet have an adult test track, but adult events are now included in most competitions. "This year Tim and I will compete at state championships and nationals as an adult gold level dance couple," Lawrence-Porter said.

She also cherishes the support from her own coaches and fellow skaters who encouraged her to make the long trip to the states to learn from skating's best.

"This was an amazing opportunity," she said. "I believe I am already blessed with such wonderful coaches but it is always great to get feedback from some of the world's most renowned teachers. Overall, their teaching reinforced what my coaches are working toward, but it was refreshing to hear from another perspective as well and learn some new skills, too."

At camp, Lawrence-Porter soon found fellow campers and coaches treated her as part of the family.

Anita Lawrence-Porter (Middle) poses with fellow camper Jorge DeLima, and camp coach and U.S. pairs champion and Olympic and world skater JoJo Starbuck.

"Everyone was there because they wanted to be there," she said. "Everyone may have his or her own unique personal goals, but each person shared a common love of skating and fun. The camp created a safe and wonderful environment and it was clear that we were a happy team and supportive of each other's goals."

Not only did Lawrence-Porter experience a one-of-a-kind skating camp, she also experienced a genuine U.S. hurricane, Irene.

"Given the logistics of connecting flights and huge travel distances, Irene caused a huge hiccup in my plans," Lawrence- Porter said.

Instead of arriving home on Tuesday, following the camp's completion, she touched down the following Saturday. Employees and coaches from the Nantucket rink, fellow island campers and Hamill took Lawrence-Porter and fellow camper, Susan Frobish, under their wings, offering them places to stay, meals and other ways to make their extra days pleasant.

"As one of the four self-dubbed 'storm orphans,' Tim, Nathan, Susan and I attended a hurricane party, ate lobster on the beach and enjoyed our time together making the best of the experience. I am so grateful for all these wonderful people and secretly enjoyed that the delays worked out the way they did," Lawrence-Porter said.

"The week actually went too fast," Frobish said. "We had a great week together at camp. Our coaches were amazing, and we were taking photos of each other during each other's lessons. Those memories mean a lot when you get home."

Back home in Sydney, Lawrence-Porter shared her experience and all she learned with her fellow skaters and coaches. She is grateful for their support, and the support of her husband and daughter.

"I didn't know what to expect, but the camp went way beyond my expectations. These special coaches were really warm and enthusiastic, kind and giving individuals with so much to offer. I learned so much from them and they gave me a renewed sense of motivation that I greatly needed. It also reinforced my faith in my own Sydney coaches and showed me how much I owe them for their efforts, too."