Balancing skating and coaching is rewarding


on instructing young skaters. “I want to help my students become amaz-


ing skaters,” Hine said. “What they learn on ice, working hard, skating when they don’t have energy, showing up for themselves and doing their best that particular day, will benefi t them into adulthood.” Hine is also grateful for her husband and


two children, along with her coworkers at the rink, who provide a great support system for


her.


By Lexi Rohner Editor’s note: These skaters have found double the pleasure in skating, as both competitors and coaches.


with highs and lows. It’s not an easy sport but you’ll become stronger and, most certainly, meet the most inspiring and amazing people along the way.”


GABRIELLE HINE, 45 BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, PALM BEACH FSC ADULT SILVER FREE SKATE, ADULT GOLD MOVES IN THE FIELD


Skating is more than a sport for Gabrielle


Hine. “It challenges me more than anything else


I’ve done,” said Hine, who fi rst skated outdoors in Paris at age 26. “I’m much stronger physically and mentally through skating.” Hine became hooked on skating in 2007


at the Palm Beach Skate Zone in Florida, where she now coaches. Coaching adults is something she sees as mutually benefi cial. “Advice I give my adults is to have patience


and practice regularly,” she said. “My students help me learn. I’m grateful to have discovered skating and even more privileged to teach it.” Her courage through skating was apparent


earlier this year when her father was admitted to the intensive care unit in critical condition at the same time she was to compete for the fi rst time at the U.S. Adult Championships. While she was able to say goodbye to her father, her deci- sion to skate was excruciatingly diffi cult. “I didn’t think I could, but I know he’d want


that,” she said. “He died the day after I compet- ed.”


She’s also overcome numerous injuries


while skating, including a broken wrist and an ankle stress fracture. “I know I must pace myself, especially as I


age,” said Hine, who teaches yoga to her stu- dents. In addition to coaching adults, Hine thrives


42 OCTOBER 2016


MEGAN BROWN, 31 CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, PENINSULA SC GOLD DANCE, CHAMPIONSHIP DANCE, INTERNATIONAL DANCE, SENIOR MOVES IN THE FIELD While Megan Brown ranks family as her top


priority, coaching and her own skating make life full. Brown has skated since the age of 8 and, in


recent years, coaching has become a full-time profession. “Skating has shaped most aspects of my life


since it’s my profession and recreation,” Brown said. “Skating impacts every daily decision, and I’m creative in time management.” Typical teaching days involve mornings and


afternoons with students, and her own training midday. She occasionally experiences compe- tition confl icts while managing herself and her adult students at the same events. “I’ve warmed up skaters and put them on


the ice wearing my skating dress and skates,” Brown said. “I’ve also withdrawn from events because I couldn’t make the schedule work. My students are my priority.” Brown teaches alongside her longtime


coach, Peter Sasmore, whom she considers family. She trains four to fi ve days a week when there’s a competition pending, but does take a break when one presents itself. The biggest challenge Brown faces while training is self-mo- tivation and recurring injuries. “Accepting I can only do so much is frus-


trating,” Brown said. “I’m thrilled I’m still skating and enjoy it as much as, if not more than when I started. As long as I’m having fun, I consider it a success.” When on the other side of the boards,


Brown shares words of wisdom with her adult skating students: “Your journey will be fi lled


PETER SASMORE, 53 UNION CITY, CALIFORNIA, PENINSULA SC CHAMPIONSHIP ADULT DANCE, CENTENNIAL DANCE, GOLD FREE DANCE, INTERNATIONAL DANCE Peter Sasmore is most content whether he’s


gliding across the ice or teaching someone a new skill. “I love coaching and skating,” Sasmore said.


“No matter the stress, when I touch the ice I feel relaxed and at home.” Skating has threaded through Sasmore’s


life for half a century — from weekly family out- ings to his mother’s sport, to his own family’s involvement. A competitive skater in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sasmore has maintained his love aff air with the sport as a participant and as a coach of adult skaters. His dual passion, while fulfi lling, can be a


challenge at times at competitions, he admits. “I feel stretched when we’re in the same


event, but I’m fortunate to rely on fantastic coaching friends,” he said. Sasmore tells his adult pupils that the sky is


the limit. “We have tons of artistic, imaginative and


talented adult athletes pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” Sasmore said. Coaching with Megan Brown and John


Dowding, Sasmore said he is grateful to watch his students improve. As a competitor, Sasmore trains six hours a


week with his two dance partners. “Skating is a rehearsal sport,” Sasmore said.


“Finding time to train smart and long enough to be fully prepared is important.” Locally, his wife chairs competitions, his


daughter competes in dance, and the family helps raise funds for their theater program.


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