Why I Love Figure Skating

Figure skating is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking sports to watch. Not only do the competitors have to be super strong and athletic, but they also have to be graceful and artistic. I've always loved watching the figure skating championships on TV and really admire the athletes. The triple (and now sometimes quadruple) jumps, spins, throws, and intricate dance moves are just spectacular. It seems every year someone is achieving what used to be impossible feats on the ice. Another way to enjoy figure skating is to attend an exhibition or ice show, such as Disney on Ice.

Figure skating is also fun to do recreationally. Gliding over the ice can give a euphoric feeling of freedom, almost like flying. As a college student at a cold wintry upstate NY location, I learned how to figure skate in PE class - skating and ice hockey were a big part of life there. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many skating rinks in Southern California, but it shouldn't have been a shock. Many of our nation's best skaters, including Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Sasha Cohen hail from California.

Figure skating is called that because in the old days, they really did have to skate in figures. A skater was judged on how well she could etch a figure (like a circle or figure 8) on the surface of the ice with her blades. Compulsory figures required hours and hours of repeated practice.  It declined in importance as the sport evolved and the free skating portion of competition became more demanding and more popular. Skaters wanted to concentrate their training time on the jumps and athletic moves. Eventually it was phased out completely, and today figures are rarely taught or performed.

Olympic figure skating consists of mens' and ladies' singles, pairs, and ice dancing. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics promises to be a very exciting competition. After the recent national championships, the U.S. has just this past week submitted its nominations for all the teams to the Olympic Committee.

Ladies singles nominations for the Olympic team:

• Rachael Flatt
• Mirai Nagasu

Mens' singles nominations:

• Jeremy Abbott
• Evan Lysacek
• Johnny Weir
  

Pairs skating:

• Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett
• Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig

Ice dancing:

• Meryl Davis and Charlie White
• Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto
• Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates
  

Skating helps develop balance, coordination, leg and back strength. I always remember my instructor telling us, "keep your back straight!" Skating provides excellent physical conditioning and increases endurance. It also requires flexibility, especially in the legs and hips, for the more advanced moves. Another benefit is that skating requires your mind and body to focus and work together - it's not just a mindless, boring run on the treadmill.  Above all, skating is fun!

When first learning to skate, most people rent skates from the rink. The condition of these rentals ranges from pretty beat up to downright awful. Then you wonder why you can't get the hang of skating. Well, it's hard when your feet are screaming at you and getting painful blisters! The next step up is going to the sporting goods store and buying a pair of pre-fab, off-the-rack skates. It's not a bad deal if you only skate once in a blue moon. But for the serious skater, you have to fork up some cash and go the boot and blade route. The really serious skaters go a step farther and have their boots/blades custom made.

Years ago, I managed to buy myself a pair of used SP-Teri boots from a friend. The gently used boots were still over a couple hundred bucks. I went to a pro shop and bought new blades. Wow, it was worth it - a good pair of boots will made a difference in the skating and in my enjoyment of skating.

It's never too late to learn how to skate! Local rinks offer group and individual lessons for every level and every age group. With indoor rinks, lessons are available throughout the year, not just in winter.  The culmination of lessons is sometimes a recital or a holiday ice show that includes all the class participants.  I am looking forward to teaching my own kids how to skate. It's a great activity for fun and exercise.