Embracing Winter

CHESTERMERE – Yes it’s only August, but is it too early to be talking about skating? I mean ice skating. As you know here in Alberta we can get snow almost any time of the year and before you know it…… I’ll stop there; I don’t want to jinx things. Yes ice skating, something I’ve never really done well even though I grew up in Calgary. Lately I’ve learned to enjoy winter more and more simply because I choose to embrace the winter rather than hibernate for the duration. I embrace it by getting involved in sports like curling and skiing, not that skating hasn’t entered my mind but I’m thinking it’s just on the horizon for me.
I met with a couple of ladies (Kori Heath and Sonya Gosse) who wanted to talk about skating – and they wanted to let all of Chestermere know about an ongoing, and unique program offered right here in town. “What sets the Chestermere Ice Edge Skating Club apart from other skate clubs is the coaching of the students”. Currently there are only 7 registered skaters in the Star Skate Program, which means there is a lot of individual instruction for each person; they would like to have more people join to keep the costs down and keep the ice time which is an extremely valuable commodity once you have it. The skaters are coached by Monika Bafia and have been for several years now. The list of Monika’s credentials are extensive starting with her 26 years coaching experience, an Olympic Level Coach Master in Warsaw Poland, Skating Choreographer in Russia, a Phys. Ed. Degree in Sport Psychology and Nutrition and a Skate Canada Coach – National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). She has worked with athletes in the USA and European Olympic centres and now she is with the Chestermere Ice Edge Skating Club. “We are so lucky to have such a qualified coach” said Kori. “She has such a good rapport with the kids and they really enjoy coming out to skate” she added. Sonya adds “The CHESTERMERE ICE EDGE SKATING CLUB is a Certified Skate Canada program but the club also offers a program for people of all ages to come out and learn to skate”. Perhaps this is my calling?
Last year 5 young skaters from the Club, in their first ever competition, participated in the Chinook Open Competition held in L.A. (Lethbridge, Alberta). The 5 had an amazing weekend on and off the ice. “Between them, they won a Gold Medal in the Preliminary and Gold and a Silver Medal in the introductory category” said Sonya. There are several levels the CHESTERMERE ICE EDGE SKATING CLUB offers as it is integrated with Skate Canada. Badges can be earned throughout the year as each skater progresses through the various CanSkate levels. Every Skate Canada skating program complements the others and allows for unrestricted movement and development through the system. Sonya and the other volunteers are again hoping to organize an Ice Carnival and Achievement night for all of the students and parents to come and enjoy in their accomplishments.
Kori and Sonya are quite enthusiastic about this awesome club and invite one and all, young and older, to see them at the Energizer Night September 12th, 2012 at the Chestermere Regional Recreation Centre. They will have a booth there from 6:00PM – 8:30PM and would love for you to join in and embrace the winter months by getting involved in an excellent skate program. Sign up for the Fall/Winter Canskate, Starskate, Competitive or Adult Program.
For more information check out their website at www.chestermereskatingclub.com