Ice Skating
Get Hooked on the Glide
January 17, 2008
By Corinne Bowen
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It is an unusually warm morning in October when I walk into the Northwest Family Sports Center Ice Rink in Mount Washington for the first time. Inside, the air is crisp and people are dressed for winter. A mother of seven sits on a bench, lacing up her skates; a retired gentleman practices figure eights with deep focus; and two instructors prepare for a day of teaching. Students chat on the benches as they get ready for practice.
I have always marveled at figure skaters on television, but I never dreamed I could put one foot in front of the other in ice skates. This is my first try. After speaking with two women instructors, I am eager to take to the ice for a lesson. Both instructors have been teaching for 15 years and have seen every type of student. The first step, they say, is learning to “skate with wisdom” — learning how to skate properly and safely with an instructor.
“One out of four become addicted to gliding,” an instructor says of her beginning students.
Over the years, both teachers have worked with countless women who have found confidence and self-esteem at the rink. Women feel beautiful and graceful as they learn to soar across the ice. Worries disappear. Ice skating strengthens and tones the buttocks, thighs and legs while also improving balance. And, once a student feels comfortable, skating becomes a social activity to share with friends and family.
Adult group lessons and private lessons are offered at local ice rinks to provide the foundation for safe and enjoyable ice skating.
Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center
200 S. Linwood Ave.
Baltimore
410-396-9392
www.pattersonpark.com/Skating/skating.html
Lessons (all levels):
Saturday, 9 to 10 a.m.
Ice World
1300 Governor Court Abingdon
410-612-1000
Lessons (all levels):
Jan. 6 to Feb. 10: Sunday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. (half-hour and one-hour practices). Feb. 24 to April 6: Sunday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. (half-hour and one-hour practices).
Mount Pleasant Ice Arena
6101 Hillen Road, Baltimore
443-984-4075
www.baltimorecity.gov/government/recnparks
(click on “Special Facilities”)
Lessons (all levels):
Starting Jan. 5: Saturday, 1:45 p.m. Starting Jan. 7: Monday, 5 p.m.
Northwest Family Sports Center Ice Rink
5731 Cottonworth Ave.
Baltimore
410-433-4970
Lessons (all levels):
Tuesday, 7 to 8 p.m. Private lessons are also available.
