Parents of figure skaters should follow certain behavior guidelines.

 

A parent must be a positive role model for those new to figure skating. For example, it is unnacceptable to stand at the barrier and yell at your children or other coaches during practice sessions.

 

Many parents don't know that it is wrong to solicit private lesson students for another coach. A parent should not encourage a skater to leave his or her existing coach for someone else.

 

Parents need to teach their children to support other skaters and to respect coaches and rink personnel.

 

Parents should show good sportsmanship and pass a positive attitude on to their children.

 

Of course, the most important guideline is to get along with everyone involved in figure skating.

 

• Figure Skating Parent Behavior Guidelines  
• Your Responsibilities as a Skating Parent from U.S. Figure Skating  
• U.S. Figure Skating Parents Code of Conduct

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink 

Everyone has a reason to figure skate. Some people just like the feeling of gliding on the ice. Other people like getting exercise inside an ice rink.

 

Most figure skaters like spinning and jumping. Many say that figure skating is challenging and there are always new things to learn.

 

There are a few people that skate because they have a parent that forces them to do it; there are others who wish they had the money to skate.

 

I feel sorry for people who can't skate or live in areas where ice skating does not exist since figure skating has given me so much pleasure.

 

Why do you skate?

 

• Join the Discussion - Why Do You Like to Figure Skate?

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks 

Did you know that figure Skating can be practiced off the ice with PIC® Skates?  Have you ever skated on PIC® Skates or inline figure skates? Share your experiences in the comment section of this post.

 

• Video of Nathalie Biedermann Skating on PIC® Skates  
• Video of Figure Skating on PIC® Skates and on Ice Skates

 

_{PIC® Skating -- Copyright © The PIC® Skate Company}

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters 

 

 

When the US Women's Ice Hockey Team won the Olympics in 1998, I got a bright idea!  I decided to try skating on hockey skates.

 

I bought a good pair of ice hockey skates and was pleasantly surprised!

 

I found that skating on hockey skates was easy for me because I was a figure skater.

 

Eventually, I was teaching hockey players to skate. I helped them with their power.  They found that the figure skating "secrets" I taught them made them better, stronger, and faster.

 

Then I got brave -- I began trying figure skating moves on hockey skates. I was really excited when I realized I could do sit spins, ice dances, and figures on ice hockey skates.

 

 

When I was pregnant, my feet swelled up. My feet didn't fit in my figure skates, but I skated on hockey skates until the day my daughter, Annabelle, was born!

 

• Top 10 Figure Skating Moves on Ice Hockey Skates

_{Jo Ann Schneider Farris Doing a Spiral on Hockey Skates - Photo Copyright © Jo Ann Schneider Farris}

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates 

Are you going to Worlds? Have you bought your tickets yet? Time is running out.

 

To Purchase Tickets for the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, contact:

 

Tatum Yount
Account Executive, Staples Center
Phone: (213) 742-7578
tyount@aegworldwide.com

 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships 

Marty Martino died at about 10:30 PM on Sunday, March 1, 2009.   He coached skating in Colorado Springs, Colorado for many, many years.   He was 71 years old at the time of his death.  Martino taught at the old Broadmoor World Arena and then at Sertich Ice Center.  He had many students and also taught several adult figure skaters. 

He died surrounded by his students, who cried and laughed as they shared many "Marty" stories.

 

Marty Martino never married.  One of his students commented that it was beautiful that a man who never married was in a room full of women who loved him during his final moments.

_{Marty Martino With His "Last Little Competitor" Hannah Johnson - Photo Courtesy of Theresa Johnson}

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach 

 

There are many "don'ts" when the time comes to make a switch:

 

Don't start working with someone else before telling your existing private lesson coach that you are going to make a switch. Don't tell your existing coach you are going to take a break from lessons and then start working with someone else.   Don't leave a message on an answering machine or send an email saying you are changing coaches.

 

 

Further Reading:

• How to Switch Figure Skating Coaches
• Choose an Ice Skating Coach
• Choosing a Competitive Figure Skating Coach
• Find a Coach for a Serious Recreational Skater
• Become a Figure Skating Coach
• Changing Coaches by Kathy Casey

 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches 

Figure skating coach, Charles Crawford, has much to be thankful for. He is able to walk and be on the ice. Just a few years ago, Crawford was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Doctors didn't believe he'd walk again.

 

• Charles Crawford - An Ice Skating Coach Living With Multiple Sclerosis

_{Charles Crawford and Family - Photo by Jo Ann Schneider Farris}

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching 

_{Skating Rink Bleacher Gossip - Photo Copyright © JO ANN Schneider Farris}

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena 

Social ice dancing is a great way to have fun on the ice.  It's also a great way to make friends.  When I was growing up, social ice dance sessions were everywhere.  I miss those days!   

• What is Social Ice Dancing?
• How to Become an Ice Dancer

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating 

I just finished reviewing a really cute figure skatng book called The Champion Behind the Champion: LambieAnn\'s Story. I highly recommend the book to skaters and non-skaters. It shares the message tht being a champion isn\'t just about winning; it\'s about doing your best. The book teaches how to win and how to lose. The book tells the reader that even if you don\'t win, you are still a champion.

• Review of The Champion Behind the Champion: LambieAnn\'s Story - A Book Written and Illustrated by BarbarAnn Fitzgerald

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books 

 

 

The Schneider-Farris family spent most of Monday 3-23-09 watching the official practice sessions at the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

 

We saw Jeremy Abbott, Evan Lysacek, Brandon Mroz, Tanith Belbin & Benjamin Agosto, Meryl Davis & Charlie White, Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, Mao Asada, Miki Ando, Qing Pang & Jian Tong, and many other great skaters!

 

We can't wait for the rest of the week to happen!

_{The Schneider-Farris Family at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships - March 23, 2009 - Photo Copyright © JO ANN Schneider Farris}

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz 

Can you think of some great "soap opera" figure skating stories?

 

Some suggestions of what could be happening include:

 

 

 

 

1. Two juvenile level skaters were once friends, but after one of the skaters makes junior nationals and the other does not, there is tension not only between the girls, but their parents.
2. A female pair skater has gotten too big for her partner. A new partner has been found, but the girl is miserable skating with the new partner. She wants her former partner to skate with her again.
3. A well-known ice dancer quits skating. Her partner is conducting a nationwide partner search.
4. A prominent coach finds out that her student wishes to change coaches.
5. A skating family is torn apart due to the stress of skating. Divorce is inevitable. A promising female skater loses an international event and wonders if she should leave figure skating.
6. A young skater's father dies suddenly of a heart attack right before a major skating event.
7. A Russian coach suddenly disappears.
8. A promising skater's father is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.
9. During an ice dance practice, two dance teams collide. One of the skaters involved is seriously injured.
10. After experiencing a major family disaster that has left a family financially strained, a senior level figure skater surprises everyone at the rink and wins regionals. How will she skate at sectionals? Will she qualify for nationals? Can she continue to afford to skate?

 

Can you think of other scenarios? Share your stories!

 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera 

Wednesday night was no ordinary night for the Schneider-Farris family.  Of course, going to Worlds was unusual in itself, but little did we expect the treat that was in store for us as we left the parking lot near Staples Center for the arena.

 

This is what happened:

 

An executive from Mattel Toys in Los Angeles approached a friend of mine as we entered the arena.  Apparently, the people he'd invited from Mattel to share his company's private suite during the Pairs Freeskate had not shown up.  "Would they like to come to his gathering in their place?"

 

My friends accepted.  They soon found out that they could invite my entire family too!

 

So off we went through the VIP area in Staples Center.  We not only watched the pairs in luxury, but we were welcomed to a room with a private video screen, a comfortable lounge, food (gourmet sandwiches, salads, hors d'oeuvres, popcorn, chips and salsa, dips, hot dogs, chicken, sodas, bottled water...you name it!), and a deluxe view of the arena.  (The suite even had a refrigerator, sink, and cupboards!  The children commented the only thing missing was a restroom!)

 

Our host from Mattel explained that this was Mattel's private suite and that he was not a skater.  Of couse, he liked figure skating, but admitted he knew little about it.  He treated us as if we were authorities on the sport.  He said things like, "That looked pretty good to me."  and "What is the highest score you can get?"  

 

Anyway...we watched Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett of the United States skate an incredible program.  We cheered for Keauna and Rockne, but we were sad that they didn't skate their best.  We watched the incredible Chinese pairs, and saw the Russian girl fall on her face after she fell on the quad throw.  We saw the Germans win.

 

Our host left the suite before the awards, and so privately, with our friends, we watched the awards ceremony.  We saw Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner, JoJo Starbuck and Ken Shelley, and Jenni Meno and Todd Sand give out the awards to the pairs medalists.  We saw the flags raise and we then saw the skaters take their victory lap.

 

As the arena emptied out, we sat on the suite's couch for a moment and laughed together about our wonderful evening!  It was hard to leave!  We will never forget going to Worlds, but also, we will never forget the night we watched the best pair skaters in the world from the "lap of luxury!"

 

Just one more additional note:

 

My dear friend, Larisa Gendernalik was also with us.  She also enjoyed seeing the event from the private suite.  As we exited the arena, Larisa saw Russian coaching legend, Tamara Moskvina.  Larisa is Russian and knows Tamara well.  The two reunited and I took a photo. 

 

What a night it was!

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships 

If you missed the television coverage of Worlds, you can still see about everything on demand through UniversalSports.com.

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 

My family had a great time in Los Angeles at Worlds!

• Memories From the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships 

One of the hardest things anyone who coaches figure skating goes through is "losing a student." Most figure skating coaches put in long hours and do care about the people they give lessons to. Some skaters grow up with a certain coach and leaving that special teacher and mentor can be traumatic for both parties involved.

• How to Switch Figure Skating Coaches
• Before You Choose a Figure Skating Coach
• Your Relationship With Your "Pro" - From Don Korte, Sk8stuff.com

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens 

"Once, long ago, everyone in the world ice skated. In fact, everyone worked ON the ice. Then, someone came up with the idea of working OFF the ice. A new word was then formed by combining the words OFF and ICE. That is where the word OFFICE comes from. This is why the majority of people in the world don't ice skate and work in OFFICES."

- Concept Copyright © by Jo Ann Schneider Farris

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating 

This is the fourth summer in a row that I've pre-signed up my children for ice time at the Colorado Springs World Arena.  Every year, I do it at about the same time as tax time.  With three kids, doing taxes takes less time than filling out the World Arena forms!  It does take advance planning, but my children do get a great summer skating experience!

• Before You Skate in the Summer
• Summer Skating Programs and Camps for Figure Skaters

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating 

Today, our family decided to check out Janet Champion's new website. 

 

The videos and photos on the site are amazing!  My daughter, Annabelle, commented that Janet perhaps skated better than Michelle Kwan!

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters 

I received this question a few days ago:

 

"My daughter is just getting ready to test Juvenile.  She is 13 1/2 years old.  Our rink has no ice dance, no partners, and no synchronized skating.  She wants to go on with her skating, but there is nothing here for her.  Given her age and test level, would it be worth it to move to a town that offers these disiplines?  Has she she gotten too old to be competitive?  Our highest level coaches only skated to Juvenile, and that was 30 years ago.  Our club is currently ISI, with practically no US Figure Skating."

In my opioion, if this skater wants to follow her dream, she is going to have to move.  What are your thoughts?

Further Reading: 

• Am I Too Old to Begin Figure Skating?
• Should figure skaters relocate to train?
• "Robbed of a Figure Skating Dream"

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi 

In "my day" figure skating partners were matched together as chldren and stayed together through thick and thin.  Examples of this include Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner and JoJo Starbuck & Kenneth Shelley. 

 

Today, if a girl gets too big for a boy, OUT she goes.  If a boy is too old for a girl, OUT he goes.  Even if the team may have won a national medal together, and shows potential, there may we partner switching.

 

I'm not sure if I'm for or against "musical figure skating partners."  What are your thoughts? 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching 

Scribes look like gigantic compasses. Some are made of metal or aluminum and others are made of wood. Each has something sharp that can be stuck into the ice to center the gigantic compass and a handle to hold onto. The scribe is folded up and is small enough to fit in a car's trunk when it is transported in and out of an arena, but is capable of being extended to draw large circles on the ice.

 

The top end of each scribe also has something sharp on it that will draw a perfect circle onto the ice. Some scribes use a magic marker to draw circles on the ice. The marker is put at the scribe's end and clasped to it face down, but the problem with markers is they dry out, so not all skaters like using scribes with markers. During a patch session, the scribe is left open and placed against the rail next to the skater's patch. Some scribes have stands (like a bicycle kick stand) to allow the scribe to stand up at a patch's center if needed.

 

• What Was a Patch Practice Session Like When Ice Skaters Practiced Figures?

 

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I usually boast about one of my own three kids, but today I'm going to boast about my brother, Billy's daughter Phoebe Schneider!

 

Yesterday, 8-15-09, Phoebe became the US National Showcase Champion! (Unfortunatelly, my family is on vacation in California and my parents are in Illinois, so we didn't get to be at the event.)

 

The way my sister-in-law, Amy, described it is as follows:

 

Phoebe won the qualifying round. She advanced to the finals and won that too.

 

That qualified her for the Parade of Champions which was like an ice show with spotlights. All the winners performed.

 

Everyone waited in anticipation to find out who would win the entire competition. (This reminds me of a Miss America Pageant.)

 

The podium was set up at center ice. No one knew who the winners were. 4th place was announced. Then 3rd. Then 2nd. Then the announcement came:

 

"The National Showcase Junior Parade of Champion's Champion is Phoebe Schneider!"

 

Phoebe skated out to receive her award and "Mr. Debonair" Richard Dwyer interviewed her in front of a the audience! The President of US Figure Skating presented the awards! Phoebe is a US National Champion!

 

The entire Schneider family is SO EXCITED and HAPPY for Phoebe! We also know that Billy and Amy and Charlie must be so very proud.

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating 

A friend of mine recently went to a Basic Skills ice skating competition and filmed a bunch of other skaters so she could study what was required at a certain level.   A week later, she was told by the parent and coach of one the skaters she filmed that what she did was not correct procedure. 

 

Did she do anything wrong?

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions 

I'm surprised when I find out that those new to figure skating sometimes think that the badge tests taken in basic ice skating classes are all there is!

•   Understanding Figure Skating Tests and Levels

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history 

Ice skating dresses seem to be missng from skating rinks these days.  Have you noticed at most freestyle practice sessions that all skaters are wearing figure skaitng pants? 

• Favorite Brands of Figure Skating Pants

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history figure skating pants 

During the past couple of weeks, it has been announced that some of the major names in figure skating have made coaching changes.

• Elite American Figure Skaters Are "Changing Pros"

 

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history figure skating pants changing figure skating coaches 

Last night, my family went to an ice skating party in honor of 2-time Olympic Pair Skating Champion and 6-time World Pair Skating Champion, Aleksandr Zaitsev.  We had so much fun.  It also made me realize that figure skaters forget to have fun at the ice rink.  I recommend that every once in awhile, that serious figure skaters go to a public ice skating session and play!

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history figure skating pants changing figure skating coaches ice skating fun 

On Friday, 6-5-09, the Colorado Springs World Arena held a Patch session. It may have been the first Patch Session held at the rink in about ten years.  All 20 patches were sold. There was room for me to buy a patch for myself though. I used our family's scribe (now a collector's item!) and scribed circles for me and my own 3 kids. I had fun laying out figures! I wish there had been more time, since I did have time for change double threes, but would have loved to have got to rockers, counters, and change brackets!

• What Was a Patch Practice Session Like When Ice Skaters Practiced Figures?
• What Is a Patch?
• What Is a Scribe?
• I Loved "Doing Patch"

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history figure skating pants changing figure skating coaches ice skating fun figure skating patch session colorado springs world arena 

On November 20, 2009, while we were in Wichita at the 2010 Midwestern Figure Skating Championships, the Broadmoor Skating Club skaters were notified that a fellow training mate and club member died tragically in a skiing accident at 11:45 AM in Breckenridge, Colorado.

 

Just last weekend, Haley's mother, Pat, had written on Facebook that her family had hit the slopes. In her post, she described the joy the family had experienced on top of a mountain in Colorado. On Monday, I told Pat that I saw her post and wished I could take my family skiing soon. She and I chatted about skiing and Pat had told me that the family had purchased season passes for Breckenridge. I replied that our family\\\'s ski trips would have to be put on hold until after Junior Nationals.

 

Haley Gans was only fourteen years old. She was a beautiful person that was loved by everyone she touched.

 

The first time I met Haley was on the ice during the summer of 2006 or 2007. I was teaching Annabelle or Rebekah or Joel on a freestyle. We happened to say hello to Haley at the the music machine. Haley commented how great a skater Annabelle was!

 

Later on, I learned that Haley was deaf, but lived the life of a hearing person since she had cochlear implants surgically implanted in her ears. A cochlear implant (CI) is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.

 

Like my own children, Haley had always been homeschooled, and I also discovered that her mother Pat and I had similar homeschooling styles. We both knew what unschooling was and used that style of homeschooling some of the time.

 

Just last summer, for her 14th birthday, Haley had a huge birthday party at Water World in Denver. I was so impressed with the party. Haley invited many of the Broadmoor skaters that were close to her age. She seemed to be overjoyed that so many kids wanted to celebrate her birthday with her. Rebekah had a wonderful time. Pat mentioned that she hoped Rebekah and Haley would get to spend more time together since the two girls were so much alike.

 

This year in particular, I had the joy of seeing Haley skate every day with Larry Ibarra. She and Larry skated at the same time as Rebekah and Joel on the 9:00 AM Dance/Pairs Session at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Larry was teaching Haley everything about pair skating. Each day Haley got better and better. She jumped in the clockwise direction, but Larry did amazing things with her! They would do throws in Haley\\\'s jumping direction, but death spirals in Larry's. The lifts they did were incredible.

 

Larry recently had gone to Florida with Haley and her family for a pair try-out. Haley so much wanted to find a pair partner and compete.

 

Just before we left for Midwesterns, Rebekah wore a new waltz dress to the rink. Haley loved Rebekah's dress and told Rebekah how pretty she looked in it. Also, she and Pat wished us well. That was only a few days ago...

 

My entire family loved Haley. Everyone loved her. My family's thoughts are for Pat and John Gans and Haley's siblings, Rebekah and Jake.

 

----------------------

From the Denver Post 11-20-09

 

Girl Dies After Ski Accident At Breckenridge

 

A 14-year-old Colorado girl has died after an accident on an intermediate trail at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Haley Rose Gans, from Colorado Springs, was skiing on the Spruce Trail, a blue intermediate trail, when she apparently skied into a tree. The resort said ski patrol was summoned to the trail at 11:48 a.m. Friday. Gans was taken to Breckenridge Ski Resort, where she was pronounced dead. Witnesses said the teen was skiing very fast and into a tree. The cause and manner of death are pending investigation, but are related to blunt force trauma of the chest. Gans was wearing a helmet.

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history figure skating pants changing figure skating coaches ice skating fun figure skating patch session colorado springs world arena haley gans broadmoor skating club 

Today, Sunday, December 13, 2009, is a day of packing.  You see, I've been packing to prepare to go to the 2010 US Junior National Figure Skating Championships. This is the third year in a row that my children, Rebekah and Joel Schneider-Farris, have qualified for the competition.

 

I feel like an "experienced Junior Nationals mom" now! It should be exciting and fun since my brother, Billy's son, Charlie Schneider, also qualified and my parents are coming! We will enjoy being together.  This is a real "Schneider Family Skating Affair!"

Tags: figure skating parents behavior ice rink figure skating fun beginning ice lessons friendly rinks pic skate inline figure skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters ice skating fun friendly rinks instruction figure hockey skates world figure skating championships mary martino figure skating coach changing figure skating coaches charles crawford figure skating coach teching ice skating coaching bleacher gossip skating rink drama ice arena social ice dancing become dancer adult figure skating figure skating books world figure skating championships jeremy abbott evan lysacek brandon mroz figure skating soap opera caydee denney jeremy barrett keauna mclaughlin rockne brubaker pairs skating world figure championships world figure skating championships universal sports 2009 world figure skating championships losing skating studens office ice skating summer skating janet champion ice follies skating shows famous skaters relocating figure skating isi figure skating partners switching figure skating history scribes national showcase phoebe schneider richard dwyer artistic figure skating videos basic skills skating competitions figure skating tests competitions judging moves history figure skating pants changing figure skating coaches ice skating fun figure skating patch session colorado springs world arena haley gans broadmoor skating club rebekah joel schneider-farris junior national figure skating championships