Clubs Send Off Skaters in Style

Southwest Florida skaters pose during their December 2011 show with club's regional, sectional and national competitors. (Photo courtesy Karen Chinault)

It is an honor for any skater to compete in a regional, a sectional or at the upcoming 2012 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships and many clubs around the country are honoring their skaters who have reached this level with some very special events. Each is a unique and wonderful celebration.

The Detroit Skating Club hosts an annual event to recognize its national and international competitors called the 'Detroit Skating Club's Champions Ice Revue'.

"Our event is a public exhibition for our national and junior national competitors each year," Jerod Swallow, managing director of the Detroit Skating Club, said. "We also include a number of international skaters who train with us through the season. They will be competing at the 2012 European Figure Skating Championships and Canadian national championships."

The Detroit Skating Club has been hosting this event, held on Jan. 14, as long as the club has been sending skaters to the U.S. Championships, more than 50 years, according to Swallow.

This year's roster will include U.S. Grand Prix Competitors Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Alissa Czisny, Jeremy Abbott and Adam Rippon.

"We sell out our event, and what makes our event special is that we have skaters in all disciplines of figure skating participating, singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronized skating," Swallow said. "Also unique is the fact that we have competitors from junior nationals to national, World and Olympic levels."

The Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club in Ellenton, Fla. will also present an exhibition on Jan. 14, which will tie in National Skating Month and feature their Championship bound skaters.

SC of New York competitors celebrate during their 2010 Barbecue with special guest Johnny Weir. (Photo Courtesy Terri Levine)

"We also have an ice show in December for all skaters to participate in," club president Karen Chinault said. "This year we had about 125 participants. We have different send-offs and celebrations each year depending on the season and new ideas. We have held simulations, exhibitions and mini shows, national celebrations and Olympic celebrations."

The Southwest Florida Club also hosts an annual send-off dinner in October for all competitors juvenile and above who will attend all qualifying competitions from regional championships to the U.S. Championships, and beyond.

"With so many competitors, it is a large banquet and we invite all club members," Chinault said. "We usually have close to 100 in attendance. We include things like awards, gifts, a guest speaker, slide show, skater and coach's comments and thank yous. We've been doing this as long as our club has been at Ellenton Ice, at least ten years."

The Skating Club of New York also hosts a send-off exhibition and brunch on the Sunday morning, two weeks before the start of regional championships.

"All those competing can sign up to skate their program on first come, first served basis and club members are invited to come and cheer them on," club president Terri Levine said. "After the exhibition we gather on the back deck overlooking the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty to have brunch and we have a couple of short speeches of encouragement from a Board member and either one of our judges or specialists."

At the end of the season, the club hosts the Will Sears Exhibition and Barbecue in honor of the U.S. novice pairs champion Will Sears who died in 2002.

"The skaters who medaled at regionals or have gone on to sectionals, nationals and the Olympics are invited to skate along with group numbers from each of our rinks and some of our synchro teams," Levine said.

The club also uses this event to acknowledge their graduating seniors and all skaters that passed their senior level tests.

Each club finds inviting club members to participate and volunteer in these events brings club members closer and helps make each celebration special. Clubs also like to include the public in send off events as a way to introduce their club and their champion skaters.

"It does help us with our relationship in the community and with the public in all areas of figure skating awareness in our area," Chinault said.