Many young athletes are escaping the summer heat this year in an unexpected place – the ice rink. Although best known for figure skating and ice hockey during the winter months, the Saratoga Springs Ice Rink has stayed busy and cool throughout the summer.
For the past seven weeks, the Saratoga Springs Figure Skating Club has sponsored a weekly Learn-to-Skate program, in addition to holding more competitive classes in ice dance, freestyle and synchronized skating.
“We have had between 50 and 60 skaters here throughout the summer, from ages six to adult,” said Elaine Briceland, coordinator of summer programs and the Learn-to-Skate program.
The Learn-to-Skate program has thrived for well over a decade, giving children and adults the opportunity to learn the basics of skating in a non-competitive atmosphere.
One half-hour of each session is designated for group lessons, followed by one half-hour of free skating time.
Club coaches and members of the Figure Skating Club volunteer their time each week to teach beginning and intermediate skating skills to those who simply want to learn to skate, or those that are looking to advance into more challenging figure or hockey skating.
“This is a great program for both kids and adults,” said long-time skating coach Amanda Shelburne, who has taught adults in their 50s and 60s through the program. “It’s a lifelong sport that people can continue later in life.”
After participating in the Learn-to-skate program, many youngsters develop an interest in the sport and later find themselves taking more advanced classes as part of the Figure Skating Club.
The Club’s yearly calendar of events is long and impressive. Programs are offered in freestyle, ice dance, synchronized skating, and the development of specific skill sets (“moves in the field”).
Many skaters participate in all programs, and work their way through skill levels on way to the ultimate goal of a gold medal in each discipline.
A gold medal is not easily attained, as skaters must pass on-ice tests to advance to the next level in each program, including up to 10 or more levels depending on the discipline.
Test sessions are offered four times throughout the year and are sanctioned by the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA).
“Most skate year round and like to do the summer program,” said Briceland. “A freestyle program that is two or three minutes long requires an amazing amount of endurance, and they can lose a lot of finesse and endurance if they don’t (skate year round).”
Figure skating is no doubt a tough sport. Stories of broken ankles, blisters and bruises from falling were easily overheard in just one morning session.
The benefits of skating are plentiful, however, and those involved appear to love the sport regardless of long training hours and endless bumps and bruises.
“Kids learn to set goals and also learn about failure,” said Shelburne. “They learn that if you fail, you need to work harder to perfect it.”
Jeanette Navarro, mother of 13-year-old club member Ashley, agrees, stating “It provides them with camaraderie and pushes them towards accomplishments.”
The Saratoga Springs Ice Skating Club will continue its Learn-to-Skate program in September with another eight-week session, holding classes Sunday evenings from 4-6 p.m. The program is open to anyone over the age of five, and participants do not need Club membership to attend.
Classes for Club members will also soon begin for the winter season, extending from September through February. During that time, the Ice Arena on Weibel road will play host to two exhibition ice shows and the Saratoga Spring Invitational Competition in early April.
More information on class offerings and registration can be found at www.saratogaspringsfsc.org.
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