NA TIONAL SKA TING MONTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
NSM CELEBRATED ACROSS THE COUNTRY compiled by SUSI WEHRLI-MCLAUGHLIN
T
he National Skating Month campaign is an opportunity for Basic Skills programs, member clubs and ice facilities across the
country to increase awareness of and participa- tion in U.S. Figure Skating programs by welcom- ing new families to the world of skating. In celebrating its 10th anniversary, Na-
tional Skating Month (NSM) presented a golden opportunity for the public to learn about local programs, acquire basic skating knowledge and skills and develop an enthusiasm for the sport of skating.
Te following are a few capsule summaries
of events and activities hosted this year. For com- plete coverage of events held nationwide and for more photos and videos, go to the NSM homep- age found at “Programs” then click “National Skating Month.”
GERMAIN ARENA, ESTERO, FLA.
More than 240 skaters participated in the fifth NSM open house on Jan. 7 at the Germain Arena, in Estero, Fla. Te open house took place during normal public skating hours. A quarter of
the rink was sectioned off for group lessons. U.S. Figure Skating instructional staff donated their time, giving 20-minute group lessons to all. Each group learned the basics of skating. Tere was an information booth where people could pick up literature on all the recreation programs for skat- ers held at the arena. At the end of the event, numerous prizes were raffled off, including Ev- erblades ECHL hockey tickets ($24 value), 10- punch passes to public skate ($60 value) and Ba- sic Skills group lessons ($140 value). “Swampee,” the Everblades mascot, made a special appear- ance. All the new faces had smiles from such a positive experience.
BAY AREA CLUBS — PENINSULA FSC, SC OF SAN FRANCISCO, ST. MORITZ ISC
Te San Francisco Bay Area kicked off its NSM celebration with a gala performance under the holiday lights at the Union Square outdoor rink in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Tere was a full moon and a slight chill in air. Willy Bietak donated the ice time for the event.
Garden State Skating Club President Lara Walsh helps youngsters enjoy the NSM activities.
NSM materials as well as buttons promoting the 2012 U.S. Championships in San Jose were dis- tributed to skaters and the audience. For the second year, three Bay Area clubs
— Peninsula FSC, St. Moritz ISC and the SC of San Francisco — worked together to produce the exhibition. Skaters were selected from each club with an eye toward the 2012 U.S. Cham- pionships. Skaters just returning from the U.S. Junior Championships also performed. A youth synchronized flag team opened the gala perfor- mance. Two special events helped mark the cel- ebration. First, special recognition went to Maya Schwartz, winner of the NSM video contest and member of the SC of San Francisco.
Second,
Kristi Yamaguchi, with her mom, Carole, and her children, Keara and Emma (who is now skat- ing), were special guests of honor and came to support the young skaters of the community.
CAPITAL CLUBHOUSE, WALDORF, MD.
About 300 people came through the doors to celebrate NSM on Jan. 7 during a public ses- sion. It was crowded but a lot of fun! Attractions included skate-fitting and lac-
ing demonstrations, free 15-minute beginner skating lessons, games and fun center ice for the little ones with parents (beanbag toss, skate through cones, Hula Hoops), skate with Snow- plow Sam, $15 discount on Basic Skills regis- tration, candy and stickers for participants and exhibitions by Basic Skills skaters.
TWIN CITY FIGURE SKATING ASSOCIATION
Te Twin City Figure Skating Association, in collaboration with Minnesota NAPVI (Min- nesota Chapter of the National Organization for the Visually Impaired), hosted an adaptive skating day at the Bloomington Ice Garden, Bloomington, Minn., on Jan. 16. TCFSA contracted 90 minutes of ice time, choosing Jan. 16 since it was a national holiday. Since school was not in session, it was a good time for children to participate. TCFSA sent out a request for volunteer coaches and help- ers. Te goal was to have a coach available for each visually impaired participant. Ages of the skaters were 2 to 10. Coaches were e-mailed an instruction manual prepared by Mandy Bena- vides. Four skater volunteers helped coaches with off-ice duties, such as putting on skates, making the children feel comfortable and help- ing them get used to the feeling of the skates and the rubber floor they would walk on. TCSFA provided snacks and beverages for
50 MARCH 2012
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