A Grateful Goodbye & Exciting Hello

It's been an incredible journey sharing my passion for skating with all of you, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity. I owe a huge thank you to my parents, coaches, and fellow skaters who have been instrumental in helping me achieve my skating goals and creating so many memorable experiences. As I lace up my skates and glide into this next chapter at the University of Pennsylvania,  I'll be carrying all of your encouragement and enthusiasm with me. I'm excited to stay connected with all of you and use my writing to foster relationships within my new community.

The future holds endless possibilities, and I can't wait to continue my mission of both educating and entertaining, while also advocating for positive change. Your support throughout these years has meant the world to me, and I'm so thankful for each and every one of you who has visited my site, shared in my skating adventures, and trusted me to be your guide. Here's to the amazing journey ahead!

Step It Up Fitness Challenge

This week’s fitness challenge will have you ‘Step it up’ and tour famous monuments across the United States. Climb your way to the top of the Statue of Liberty, the Seattle Space Needle and St. Louis’ Gateway Arch.

All you need is a flight of stairs for this activity. Each box represents 10 steps (or a standard flight of stairs) and as you climb to the top of each monument, you will ultimately finish at the top of the Gateway Arch which will be 1,076 steps high! See you all virtually at our weekly Friday fitness session.

Learn to Skate USA

Weekly Fitness Challenges

As we continue to practice social distancing, here’s our next weekly fitness challenges, “Fit-25 Bingo” and “Name Drop Challenges.” These sets of exercises will help keep you up with cardio, strength, balance, and overall wellness.

We can do them together when we see each other at our virtual off-ice workout session every Friday.

Source: Learn To Skate USA, https://medium.com/learn-to-skate-usa/take-the-fit-25-bingo-challenge-bcf03ccaf8d7

Source: Learn to Skate USA, https://medium.com/learn-to-skate-usa/name-drop-challenge-your-friends-to-an-off-ice-workout-50ae1a361b4c

Taking Care of Your Skates

While rinks across the globe are shut down to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, I thought this would be a good time to take some simple steps to keep your skates in great shape. Properly maintaining your skates is important because it not only extends the durability and structural integrity of your skates but will save you a trip to the pro shop and money for repairs in the long-run.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hohjmWdeyic&feature=youtu.be

I came across this instructional video made by Mark Ladwig, an American pair skater who competed and placed 10th at the 2010 Winter Olympics.  In the video, Mark reviews how to keep your skates in good condition while being off the ice for an exptended period of time. I thought this would be helpful for my students and parents…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hohjmWdeyic&feature=youtu.be

For those who need a reminder of how to take care your blades each time you get off the ice, please refer to my November 26, 2017 post, “Proper Blade Care”. I’ve also attached the link on ‘Boot and Blade Care’ from Reidell for your reference, https://ice.riedellskates.com/learn/skate-care

STAY SAFE, FIT, & HEALTHY EVERYONE!

Staying Fit Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

It was so disappointing to learn that the World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal next week had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, this means we won’t be able to watch the highly anticipated Nathan Chen (US) and Yuzuru Hanyu (Japan) compete for the gold.  What’s even more disappointing is that my favorite ice dance team, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, will not be able to challenge the French ice dancers, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, for the title this year. Chock and Bates reclaimed their US National title this year with their amazing Egyptian snake freedance program. Hopefully, Worlds will be postponed to the fall?

As the health and well-being of my students are my highest priority, I will not be scheduling any lessons for the next several weeks. Group classes at Middletown Ice World have also been cancelled effective March 16 until further notice and the rink will offer refunds to those registered in the current 7-week session. The rink is following U.S. Figure Skating’s recommendation that all club events and programs be canceled or postponed through at least May 11. 

In the meantime, I will be scheduling weekly virtual off-ice sessions for my students so we can not only stay active but also connected and engaged. I will use Learn to Skate USA’s off-ice challenges which combine cardio, strength, stretching, and balance exercises. If you can not attend virtually, then you can go online via the Learn to Skate USA mobile app (free) and do the workouts at your convenient. If you complete these challenges in the app, you can earn badges for your digital trophy case. See you soon!

Learn to Skate USA (https://medium.com/learn-to-skate-usa/2020-march-skating-madness-put-your-skills-to-the-test-12289c5a18b4).

Thank you all for your patience and understanding. 
Stay safe and healthy and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Should Your Child Join a Figure Skating Club?

I am often asked this question by my Learn-to-Skate USA parents, particularly those whose children are taking high level basic skills group classes. To determine if your skater should join a club, I like to ask my skaters and parents the following questions …

• Does your skater genuinely enjoy being on the ice?

• Do you find your skater wanting to stay on the ice after group class is over to further practice?

• Does your skater ask to go to the rink and/or want more lessons every week?

• Does your skater like to perform and/or compete beyond basic skills?  

• Does your skater want to make new friends who share the same interest?

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the above questions, then it may be time for your child to join a local figure skating club.

What are the different US Figure Skating (USFS) memberships available for Learn-to-Skate members? 

Beginner skaters generally start in group classes such as the Learn-to-Skate USA program, and then join a local skating club once they are more advanced. 

The Learn-to-Skate USA membership is an introductory membership into US Figure Skating. As a Learn-to-Skate member, you can only participate in the program’s basic skills group classes, shows, and competitions.

However, if your skater is ready to compete beyond basic skills and ready to take tests, then it may be time to consider being a full USFS member. 

You can sign up to become a USFS member in two ways-
1) Individual Membership

USFS provides an individual membership which allows a skater to participate in all USFS sanctioned events. Annual membership runs from July 1 to June 30 and includes a copy of the Rulebook, a monthly subscription to SKATING magazine, and a lapel pin (first year only).

The individual membership is offered at the first family, subsequent, and collegiate levels which allow a skater to become a USFS member without joining a club. The cost of individual membership is $144 per year and additional family members may join at a cost of $65 per year.

2) Join Through A Local Figure Skating Club

I think the best way to be a part of USFS is to join through a local figure skating club. You can find the nearest club by using this search tool, https://www.usfigureskating.org/skate/find-a-club

Local clubs set their own membership dues and will submit your application and payment to USFS, making you both members of the local club and USFS. 

There are four different USFS membership categories (in addition to club membership fees)- 

• Introductory - This is only available through a local club for first time full members at a discounted rate of $30 and $24 for subsequent introductory member 

• First Family - The first family member to register for a full individual membership receives all privileges of a full USFS membership. First family membership in a club is $60 yearly.

• Subsequent - This option is available for related persons residing at the same address as a first family member. Subsequent family members join at a reduced rate of $24 and enjoy the privileges of full membership.

• Collegiate - This four-year membership is available to college students at a reduced rate and can be purchased through any club for $70 or individually through USFS for $170. 

What are the benefits of joining a local figure skating club?

• USFS full membership 

• Practice sessions are designated for freestyle skaters, ice dancers, and/or pairs.  You will practice with others who are serious about skating and won’t have to worry about bumping into those who are slow or just learning to skate.

• Direct access to professional coaching staff

• Priority for taking skating tests at your club's test sessions without paying a guest fee

• Compete in club competitions, shows, exhibitions, and other performances

• Participate in fundraising activities

• Eligible for club grants and financial support

• Receive rewards and recognition for member accomplishments

• Participate in club off-ice training and seminars which support skater development

• Attend fun club social activities throughout the year and make new friends

Skaters must join a ‘home club’ which will be the skating club he/she will represent in competitions. Your skater can also join additional skating clubs but only as associate members. Associate memberships allow your child to take tests, skate on ice time provided by the sponsoring club, and participate in the club's ice shows and exhibitions.

I joined the Garden State Skating Club when I was 7 years old and have been a full club member for over 10 years. Here’s the link to my club if you would like to learn more: http://www.gardenstatesc.org

Come join the fun and become a US Figure Skating and local skating club member!