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Even if you spend as much time sprawled out on the ice as you do standing upright, there is hope.
From the Snowplow Sam preschool beginners class to the intermediate and advanced jump class, there are lessons available for all levels and abilities at the Kettering Ice Arena. The facility offers the US Figure Skating Basic Skills Program, awarding patches for skills and participation.
The Troy Skating Club has lessons available at Hobart Arena for members of both its junior and adult clubs, and South Metro Sports Ice Haus hosts the Miami Valley Learn to Skate program at the Centerville rink. The RiverScape Ice Rink has a drop-in lesson program and offers adults-only lessons as well.
Get into the game
Ron Sochocki had never played hockey. In fact, the then 29-year-old had not even skated in 10 years. His lack of experience, however, was not a deterrent.
“I’m from Michigan and I always watched a lot of hockey,” Sochocki said. “A guy I worked with asked me if I wanted to play and here I am.”
Fifteen years later, the Beavercreek man is commissioner of the Huff-n-Puff ice hockey league at the Kettering Ice Arena.
The Huff-n-Puff league, for players 30 and older, is one of several organized leagues that play in the Kettering facility. The 60 current Huff-n-Puff players participate in a 50-game season from September through February. Another season gets under way in February.
“We’ve had guys in their mid-to-upper 60s playing with us,” Sochocki, 45, said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The South Metro Sports Ice Haus has a variety of leagues throughout the year. The Centerville facility also offers adult and youth drop-in hockey sessions. The Troy Skating Club also offers a Hockey Power and Skills Program at Hobart Arena.
Get into the spotlight
Practice paid off for the Kettering Ice Kadettes. The adult precision skating team recently earned a pair of gold medals at the Ice Skating Institute Adult Championships in Florida.
“Some of these people learned to skate when they were in their 30s,” said Barb Clark, who recently retired as KIKs coach after more than two decades. “And we have two who are still skating in their 70s. It’s a great sport for all ages.”
But aspiring synchronized skaters need not have gold-medal experience to join the Ice Kadettes — just strong basic skills.
“We have two levels of routines,” Clark said. “One is more advanced for skaters who are at a higher level.”
Beyond the Ice Kadettes, the South Dayton Figure Skating Club and Ice Force Precision Team both operate at the Kettering Ice Arena. The clubs offer chances to compete and perform.
“These skaters aren’t going to the Olympics, but being in an organization gives them encouragement and a chance to travel and see parts of the country they might not otherwise have seen,” Clark said.
Get into the fun
For those who simply want to lace up their skates for an afternoon of fun, there are currently open skating opportunities available at Hobart Arena, the Kettering Ice Arena and the South Metro Sports Ice Haus. RiverScape is slated to open on Nov. 25. There are adult-only open skate sessions at some rinks and most facilities offer skate rental at a minimal cost.
Skating parties can also be a fun alternative to traditional birthday celebrations.
Skates aren’t even always required as both the Ice Haus and RiverScape rinks offer broomball leagues. Players wear tennis shoes, not skates, and use a stick shaped like a broom, to play the sport that has rules similar to hockey.
The Basics
The U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program consists of eight levels. Think you have what it takes? Here are the skills required in Basic 1.
1. Sit on ice and stand up.
2. March forward across the ice.
3. Forward two-foot glide.
4. Dip.
5. Forward swizzles — 6-8 in a row
6. Backward wiggles — 6-8 in a row
7. Snowplow stop.
8. Rocking horse — 2-3.
9. Two-foot hop in place (optional)
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