|
These kids know ice skating is cool
Young Tampa Bay skaters look forward to seeing their idols perform at the Olympics.
By ALLY SIKORA
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 11, 2002
[Times photos: Scott Keeler]
Olympic dreams: Girls with a passion for skating are even more energized right now, in the midst of the 2002 Winter Olympics. “The Olympics makes me want to strive more,” says Lindsey Kratochwill, 12, of Clearwater, top photo. Skating takes hard work and a lot of concentration, as Ally Sikora, 11, of Palm Harbor, demonstrates below. Both skaters practiced last week at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.
|
Lots of kids are excited about the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, but some North Pinellas girls are riveted to one sport in particular: women's figure skating.
"The Olympics make me want to strive more so I can be in the Olympics some day and maybe stand on the podium. That would be my dream!" says Lindsey Kratochwill, a 12-year-old from Clearwater who skates at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar. Lindsey skates at freestyle level 5 -- that means she's pretty good. She can land an axel, which is a big jump and one of the last single rotation jumps you learn before moving on to doubles.
This year's Olympic events are getting everyone at the rink revved up, as did watching the national championships on TV in January. The championships determined who would represent the United States on the figure skating team.
Watching top athletes skate is great inspiration because you can pick up on the things that make them so good. "I got started in skating by watching the 1991 World Figure Skating Competition and have been skating for 11 years," says Rachel Stafford, 17, of Tampa. "Some of the special skaters I admire are Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi."
They always look so strong and sure on ice. Rachel looks strong and powerful on ice, too. She competes at the United States Figure Skating Association's junior freestyle level and skates every day, gliding from one end of the rink to the other in just a few strides.
Being a good skater requires hard work, as Amanda Romag, 14, from Tarpon Springs knows. Amanda, another high-level skater at Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar, skates at the preliminary United States Figure Skating Association test level. "I feel very excited about the Olympics," Amanda says. "I will be watching all the events, but mostly ice skating. I am rooting for the U.S. women's team, Sasha Cohen, Sarah Hughes and Michelle Kwan." (At the national championships, Michelle Kwan won her sixth gold medal, surpassing the record of five national championship gold medals held by Peggy Fleming.)
Figure skating is a cool sport because of all the things that go into it. Competing, learning the sport from an encouraging coach and being able to do something that interests friends and others make skating fun. When people see figure skaters, almost everyone will stop to watch because it is beautiful and exciting. You wonder, will that skater really land that jump?
When skaters are on the ice, nothing else matters. Skating calms you so you can forget about everything else, and it always feels good.
The Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar is a cool place. (See accompanying box for some other ice skating locations in the Tampa Bay area.) You can skate in public sessions, and there are freestyle sessions where you can practice jumps, spins and other skills. The rink offers regular off-ice classes, where you learn how to brush up on your body movement, spins and jumps. There are lots of coaches and teachers, and there is a yummy snack bar where you can stop for necessary hot chocolate.
You can take a learn-to-skate group class with other kids who are just beginning, or you can find a coach who can help you progress toward the next competitive level. A cool thing about this rink is that several coaches have competed in the Olympics, including Petr Barna, who won the bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. Nicole Bobek, a U.S. national champion and former Olympic competitor, has skated at the Tampa Bay Skating Academy pretty regularly.
One of the things you need to be a good skater is a good coach, such as Jennifer Tate, who makes figure skating fun, is supportive and actually can demonstrate how to do the things you're learning. Some coaches just tell you what they want, and you wonder if they can do the move! Having a supportive teacher is important because if you're not looking forward to your lesson, how can you come back day after day to keep trying?
"What I love most about figure skating is the combination of athleticism and artistry," says Ms. Tate. "I wanted to share my enthusiasm and love for the sport with others so I became a coach. It is a career choice which has allowed me to be involved with two of my favorite things in life -- skating and dancing!"
To skaters who are dreaming of making it to the Olympics, Ms. Tate says: "Dedication, time, tenacity to persevere through rough times, a good relationship with the coach and love for the sport are all important."
Her advice to parents and kids who are thinking about starting skating lessons? Take it one step at a time. "If the skater decides that skating is really the thing for them, become as informed as possible." She advises parents to "find a coach you and your child respect and trust.
"And be prepared to wear your long johns in Florida while watching from the stands!"
Skating around
Here are some Tampa Bay area skating rinks:
Tampa Bay Skating Academy -- Oldsmar
- 255 Forest Lakes Blvd. N
- (813) 854-4010
Tampa Bay Skating Academy -- Countryside Mall in Clearwater
- 27001 US Hwy 19 N
- (727) 723-7785
Tampa Bay Skating Academy -- Parkside Mall, Pinellas Park
- 7200 US Hwy 19 N
- (727) 527-2276
Ice Sports Forum -- Brandon
- 10222 Elizabeth Place, Tampa
- (813) 684-7825
Sunblades Ice Skating Center, Clearwater
- 13940 Icot Blvd.
- (727) 536-5843
JP Igloo, Ellenton
- 5309 29th St E
- (941) 723-3663
- Ally Sikora, 11, is a sixth-grader at Coachman Fundamental Middle School in Clearwater and is a former member of the Times X-Team. She is still working on her axel and has the bruised knees to prove it!
Here's the rest of today's Xpress
|
