FIGURE SKATING COACHING
WHY I CHOSE TO VOLUNTEER
Last spring, my twin sister Emmy and I started volunteering on the weekends to coach figure skating in the "Learn To Skate and Play" program at our local L.A. Kings ice rink. We knew about the program because our older brother, Jackson, had coached there before. He was always talking about how much fun he had with the kids.
Whenever he talked about his students and the cute things they did while he was working with them, it made me think back to when I was 5 years old and intimidated by the ice and scared to fall and get embarrassed in front of everyone. Anyone watching me back then who didn't know better would have been surprised to see me speeding across the ice and doing triple jumps and sit-spins only a few years later.
My siblings and I had the chance to train and condition with world-class professional skaters and Olympians. For years, we skated 5 days a week, multiple hours a day (including on Saturdays and Sundays) to prepare for competitions and ice shows throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and California, earning medals on podiums that our mom has safely tucked away.
Even though we don't compete anymore, ice skating teaches skills you never lose. Sharing those experiences with my sister and brother made some special memories that we won't forget.
I was lucky to have coaches who encouraged me and didn't make me feel bad or embarrassed if I struggled with a new skill. This is why my volunteer work is extremely meaningful to me. Most of the kids I work with are 5 years old or younger and new to the sport.
Being able to watch them develop new skills and get excited about learning something new every week is very motivating. I enjoy watching them gain more confidence and lose their fear of falling. It feels great when they come to the rink excited to see me and to try something new.
It really is a life lesson to learn that when you fall, you get back up and keep trying. I enjoy encouraging my students and reminding them of how much they've learned each week. Although I don't miss the long hours of training or competing, it brings me joy to see little kids find joy in mastering new skills and showing them off to their parents who are watching through the glass and cheering them on.
