#AdultsSkateToo by LEXI ROHNER
ence on social media are yielding big results. In just four months, the Adult Skating
Committee (ASC) Facebook page, launched in 2008, has grown its “likes” from 1,250 to 3,000, and the number is rising. In addition to being a communication vehicle, the page is a tool for clubs and skating schools to recruit adult skaters, answer adult skaters’ questions and for U.S. Figure Skating lead- ership to quickly communicate offi cial infor- mation. Posts are even being shared interna- tionally to motivate and inspire adult skaters across the globe. Original content posts and the launch of
several campaigns add to the excitement. “Adults Skate Tuesdays” features special guests including Gracie Gold, Scott Hamil-
ton, JoJo Starbuck, Johnny Weir, Frank Carroll and others helping to spread the word that fi gure skating is a lifetime sport. Managed
by ASC Vice Chair Lauren Day, videos arrive frequently and are posted each Tuesday (#AdultsSkateTuesday). The most popular video to date features
“Mr. Debonair” Richard Dwyer performing an Axel at age 80, with more than 53,000 likes and 532 shares. See
www.facebook.com/ USFSAdultSkatingCommittee/ videos/1031074423645832/. Rule changes, entry deadlines, competi-
tions, camps, clinics and shows are available, as well as blog posts, photos and event re- sults. Go to
www.facebook.com/US
FSAdultSkatingCommittee to fi nd and share your inspiration.
Awarding progress
As offi cial adult skating competitions
enter their third decade, new opportunities abound. The divisions within the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships are chang- ing, with former standard track skaters mov- ing in and longtime competitors moving up. Newly minted ASC Chair Lori Fussell and her team have developed a series of award opportunities.
SKATE FOREVER YOUNG This new program honors the dedication
of skaters age 71 and over at the U.S. Adult Championships, who compete in the old- est age class, Class V (competitors 66 years
42 NOVEMBER 2016
and older). Given the realities of aging, some older Class V competitors are at a disad- vantage with younger Class V skaters. The competition is one of the few that off ers these skaters the chance to compete with peers in their age range. “This encourages skaters who have the
passion and courage to skate competitively at ages that are rarely seen in competitive sports, let alone at a national level,” Fussell said. “Being a competitor at 71 years of age and older is an accomplishment worthy of recognition beyond fi nal placements.” Created by Terryl Lee Allen, ASC vice
chair of recreational adult skating; Wayne Hundley, ASC national vice chair of adult skating, competitions committee; and Ka- rissa Woienski U.S. Figure Skating programs manager, three levels of awards are avail-
able, based solely on a competitor’s age at the close of entries. Competitors receive one award per event skated, presented at the
medal ceremony for their event(s). Bronze: 71–75 years Silver: 76–80 years Gold: 81 and older
The logo on the medals represents the
fountain of youth springing up from a skate in a heart shape and was designed by Stasia Buff enbarger and Terryl Allen.
ADULT SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PROGRAM
U.S. Figure Skating’s Adult Skating Pro-
gram defi nes the ultimate success in compet- itive adult fi gure skating as “being physically able to skate for a lifetime.” These awards of- fer incentives to adult fi gure skaters to con- tinue competing at the most advanced ages and with healthy approaches. These skaters
Adult skating is branching out on social media Eff orts to enhance adult skating’s pres-
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