Adult Skating Week

by: Kate Robinson
June, 2009

Adult Skating Week June 2009

Although there wasn’t much, or according to some, any advertising of the June 2009 Adult Week in Lake Placid, NY, approximately three dozen adult skaters converged on the beautiful mountain view city to work on their skating skills. The levels of skaters varied greatly from the skater working on a double toe-loop to the skaters trying to perfect three turns. Of course, once you become a skater you realize that you never truly perfect any element.

Beginning on Sunday with a “Getting To Know You” orientation party, the skaters were greeted by the helpful and wonderful ORDA staff, whom on initial meeting seem to all be named Mary. The coaches, those who could attend the event, were introduced and stayed for the party to meet the very anxious, very excited athletes.

The orientation package contained the ice schedule, including the off-ice and on-ice classes, a photo id (for those who remembered to send a photo), a new skating magazine and a tee shirt. The party ended relatively early so the athletes could prepare for the early morning sessions.

Monday morning began at 6:00am for just a handful of die-hard figure skaters, who, in the cold 1980 rink skated figure 8s on ice not quite as smooth as one would have expected. Half of the surface was delegated to patch, while the other half was to MIF and freestyle. The ice was new, recently laid down; so recent in fat, that the Zamboni couldn’t cut deeply into the ice to eliminate what looked like tire tracks on the ice.

Once the rest of the athletes awoke and joined the early risers, the rink was abuzz with the sounds of stroking, jump landings, edges, spins, twizzles and the occasional sudden stops and falls. The first day was a crazy, unsure dance of trying to figure out where the skaters preferred to jump or spin or hang out and talk, what dances were being practiced and what was the pattern of the MIF being skated.

The on-ice and off-ice classes offered a break in between the morning and afternoon sessions, giving those who chose not to participate, a much needed break. Those who didn’t take the classes found this to be the perfect opportunity to have lunch, do a bit of shopping or take a nap. For those taking the group classes, they offered the opportunity for a different prospective, a new set of eyes to watch your skills on ice. It also offered the chance to try a skill for the first time. The axel jump class was amazingly full.

The off-ice class allowed the athlete to work on stretching, yoga, pilates and choreography. The trampoline class, usually avoided by adult skaters, allowed the skater to feel the necessary rotation in the air. Unfortunately, June 2009 in New York proved to be one of the top ten wettest Junes in history and several of the trampoline classes were cancelled.

Although there were late evening dance and free style sessions, the attendance was light due to so many of the athletes being tired (and a bit sore) to skate an additional two hours.

As the week continued, programs and dances were played, ideas for group numbers worked out and those interested in the Adult Exhibition, scheduled for Saturday, thought about what to do. The ice surface in the 80 rink, thanks entirely to the skills of the Zamboni drivers took on the appearance of glass, creating a surface so smooth that figure tracings were easy to see, spins were hooked, twizzles performed and Hickory Hoedowns easily skated.

Tuesday and Wednesday continued in the same format with the athletes successfully weaving in and out of one another with the exception of the occasional glitches caused by lessons, crossover practices and spins in the lutz corners. More and more skaters joined the on-ice classes where MIF, jumps, spins and turns were demonstrated. Previous non-dancers tried their hands and skates at the dance sessions, learning the beginning patterns of the Preliminary dance tests.

By Wednesday afternoon all of the skaters who planned to be in the show had signed up, causing more than one female skater to head for the Consignment Shop in the hopes of snagging a used dress at a good price. Most of the dresses were for pre-teen bodies, but some of the adults were lucky enough to find an outfit or two.

Friday came quickly and with it, a shortened skating schedule. The CanAm Hockey took over the 1980 rink, leaving the adult athletes with ice in the morning and possibly the US Rink. The rink staff had worked all night to try to bring the ice back up and while they were successful, the surface was not particularly smooth or thick. Warned not to do any jumps, most of the athletes stayed away and used the time to shop, rest or take themselves out to dinner.

By Saturday morning the US Rink was better and the group patch number practiced on the ice. The participants in the show would practice on the 1932 Rink, the Jack Shea Rink. It would prove to be exciting since most of the skaters hadn’t skated in the ’32 Rink. The ice was perfect and while the stands weren’t overflowing, those sitting there were appreciative. Skater after skater took the ice and displayed their style and grace. The Skaters Waltz, a free dance, the battle of the Carmens, Starry Night, and two group numbers entertained the audience.

All too soon, it was over. There was a good bye party in the same room where it had all started. E-mail addresses were exchanged, there was a raffle and numerous pictures were taken. Promises to stay in touch reminded one of high school graduation; you knew you probably wouldn’t see most of these fellow athletes again. It didn’t really matter. Like high school, you’d remember all the fun and hard work, even after the faces and names faded.

Heading back home, remember, you are an athlete. And for one solid week, you trained at the East Coast Olympic Training Facility.

How many other adult athletes can say that?