Steamboat Skating Club develops all levels of skaters
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — The Steamboat Skating Club is a non-profit organization that serves figure skaters in the Yampa Valley from preschoolers through adults. Our members are a family of athletes, coaches and parents who are excited to share the love of the sport of figure skating with Steamboat. Founded in 1994, the Club began when the only rink was outdoor and subject to weather and equipment breakdowns. Over the years since, the Club has gone through many transitions and hosted a wide variety of shows, exhibitions, and skating events, with skaters and coaches who compete in state & national competitions.
With the growth of the community and the demand on Howelsen Ice Arena, our current programming is designed to utilize USFSA (US Figure Skating Association) levels and testing in conjunction with off-ice training in a group setting to maximize training with limited ice time. While group settings are not unheard of in the world of figure skating, they are rare as it’s historically an individualized sport where skaters need to pay for one-on-one private coaching in order to develop. Our utilization of group lessons allows us to use our ice time efficiently and foster a team environment as well as lower the cost to families, making the sport more accessible.
Our focus on USFSA levels and testing allows our skaters to master skills in an order that builds upon skills they have already learned. As a Club we also encourage our skaters to work on technical development in various ways. As skaters become more serious in figure skating, they can test their technical skills in front of certified judges to move up levels. USFSA test levels range from Pre-preliminary through Senior and each level has a standardized set of skills a skater must show proficiency in to “pass” and advance to the next level. All skaters in USFS learn and test the same elements!
SSC has a unique approach to getting skaters started in their USFS testing by utilizing a group class that is devoted to teaching these skills. By not requiring expensive one-on-one private coaching lessons to succeed through the testing levels, this gives all our skaters the opportunity to progress in a fun team environment.
We also encourage each skater to learn the fundamentals of off-ice training and the benefits it has for skating. With a limited amount of ice time available to us, the Club utilizes other training methods to supplement our on-ice training. Our skaters start weekly off-ice training at the beginner levels before graduating to additional advanced off-ice classes. These classes begin with a focus on teaching correct technique, coordination, balance, and core strength. Advanced skaters also train to improve their flexibility, strength, and stamina, as well as practicing their multi-rotation jumps off the ice. The inclusion of off-ice training allows SSC to use our ice time more efficiently and helps fast-track progress while developing a well-rounded athlete.
Our focus on technical skills also allows our skaters who choose to compete to move through the levels of competition more easily and go on to skate at the collegiate level after graduation. As our Club grows, we have more skaters who are focused on competing throughout the state and have had skaters and coaches compete at national level competitions as solo skaters and with synchronized skating teams.
While SSC focuses on the fundamentals and technical skills of skating and off-ice training, we also teach the importance of community volunteering, partnering with Run Rabbit Run every year to run the Howelsen Hill aid station. We also put on two public skating events each season as well as a spring ice show where all our skaters have the ability to show the community their skills in a fun-filled performance meant for the whole family. We also have a goal of hosting our own competition that will allow more children in Steamboat to experience figure skating at a competitive level.
Through all our transitions, SSC is proud to be an organization that shares the love of figure skating in a positive, fun, supportive group atmosphere with skaters who encourage each other to succeed in everything they do, on and off the ice.
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