February Newsletter

✨February’s Theme: Skate from the Heart

February at a Glance: Short Month, Full Heart

February may be the shortest month on the calendar, but we’re packing a lot of heart into it.

A quick heads-up as you plan your skating time: El Centro will be closed February 16–20, giving us a brief pause mid-month — and a perfect opportunity to connect, give back, and skate a little differently.

This month’s theme, Skate from the Heart, invites us to slow down, listen more deeply to the music, and rediscover the joy and expression that drew us to skating in the first place. You’ll see that theme reflected throughout our classes, events, and community activities this February.

✨ What’s coming up:

A special Monday Meetup at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate on February 16, where we’ll join Howard Jenkins’ Skate Therapy session for a refreshing, feel-good skating experience
A chance to give back with a Skate Room Cleanup Day during the closure week as we show appreciation for the rink and the space that supports our skating community
Our monthly Skate Swap on the last Thursday of the month — a great time to pass along gear and pick up something new-to-you
And… a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming soon about our Spring Showcase (you won’t want to miss this one 👀)

Below, you’ll find more details on each of these — along with a closer look at what we’re exploring in class this month as we learn to feel the music, style our movement, and skate with intention.

February may be brief — but it’s full of meaning.
Let’s skate it from the heart. 💜

🗓️ February 2026 Calendar & Announcements

🎥 NEW: Open Studio Hours

📅 Fridays | 2:00 – 5:00 PM – $12.00*

Open Studio Hours are designed for focused, independent practice with a supportive structure. Skaters can:
• Work on figures, dance, freestyle, or choreography
• Practice test or competition material
• Receive light coaching feedback as available
• Skate alongside motivated peers in a studio-style environment

Private Lessons are taught during this time, and have the right-of-way on the skating floor. Skaters must adhere to our “Skater’s Etiquette” in order to skate this practice session.

Perfect for performance-track skaters—or anyone ready to take ownership of their progress.

📘 Sk8Passports Update

Due to the February rink closure, the launch of Sk8Passports has been delayed until March. We promise—it’ll be worth the wait, and we’re excited to roll it out under better conditions.

New Classes!

🎯 Sk8Skills 1 & 2, Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Where Strong Skaters Are Made

This is where confidence begins—and bad habits quietly disappear.

Sk8Skills 1 & 2 focuses on the fundamentals that make every style of skating better:

Balance & posture
Edges & control
Turns, transitions, and flow
Musical timing and skating awareness

Perfect for beginners and self-taught skaters who want to feel more stable, more graceful, and more intentional on wheels.

Because great skating doesn’t start with tricks—it starts with technique.

Olympic Trial for February – $15 (save $5)

👉 Recommended for all skaters building a strong foundation

⭐ Sk8Stars, Thursdays 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Step Into the Spotlight

Ready to skate with purpose—and a little polish?

Sk8Stars is where skills turn into performance:

Choreography & presentation
Musical interpretation
Confidence, expression, and style
Preparation for showcases, teams, and special performances

This class is ideal for skaters who love to perform, want to be part of group numbers, or are curious about taking the next step beyond recreational skating.

This is where skating becomes storytelling.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

🌈 Spring Showcase — Coming June 18

An evening of artistry, music, and movement on wheels.

Our skaters—from newest beginners to advanced performers—will take the floor to share what they’ve been learning this season in a joyful, supportive showcase of artistic roller skating.

🗓 Thursday, June 18
🕠 5:30 – 7:30 PM
🎟 Free admission • Donations welcome

✨ Local skaters invited to participate
✨ Spectators warmly welcomed

🎭 Coming Soon…

👀 This Year’s Showcase Theme

Wings? Music? Motion? Legacy?
We’re not saying yet… but it’s a good one.

Keep your eyes open—the 2026 Spring Showcase theme will be announced soon, and skaters will want to be part of it from the very beginning.

Hint: it’s poetic, powerful, and very Sk8Arts. 😉

Olympic Trials: Figure Skating on Wheels

Every four years, the world pauses to watch athletes glide across the ice—edges carving clean arcs, spins floating effortlessly, music and movement woven together into moments of pure artistry.

What many people don’t realize is that the same skills they’re watching in Olympic figure skating are taught and trained right here—on roller skates.

This February, while the Olympics are on our screens, we’re inviting you to experience that artistry firsthand with a special program we’re calling Olympic Trials.

What Are Olympic Trials?

Unlike the elite Olympic Trials you see on television, our Olympic Trials are personal.

They’re a low-pressure opportunity to try Artistic Roller Skating—no commitment, no experience required, and no pressure to “sign up for everything.” Just a chance to see what it feels like to skate with intention, technique, and music.

As we like to say:
See it on ice. Learn it on wheels.

The February Olympic Special

For the three weeks we’re open in February, we’re offering a special Olympic Trials bundle:

Social Skate + Class for $25
(a $10 savings)

This experience pairs a guided daytime Social Skate with a structured Artistic Skating class, giving you time to warm up, explore movement, and then learn how the fundamentals really work—edges, balance, turns, flow, and musical interpretation.

Whether you’re:

a recreational skater curious about classes
an adult returning to skating after years away
or someone who’s watched figure skating and thought, “I wish I could do that”

…this is your invitation.

We’re also inviting you to our Wednesday Sk8Skills 1 & 2 Classes from 3:30 – 4:30 pm for just $15 (a $5 savings!). Give it a Trial and see what Class suits your skating level and style.

Why February Looks a Little Different

You may notice we’re keeping February intentionally simple. The rink will be closed February 16–20 for floor resurfacing, and rather than rushing the launch of our new Passport training system, we’ve chosen to use February as a trial and discovery month.

That means:

No long-term commitments
No pressure to choose a pathway yet
Just time to roll, explore, and enjoy skating

Our full Sk8Arts Passport programs—with structured monthly plans and clear pathways—will officially debut in March, once we’re back on a freshly resurfaced floor and can offer a full, uninterrupted month.

Everyone Starts Somewhere

Every Olympic skater you’re watching right now began with a first edge, a first turn, a first attempt.

Olympic Trials are about that beginning.
Your beginning.

If you’ve ever been curious about Artistic Skating—or wondered what makes figure skating so captivating—February is the perfect time to step onto the floor and try it for yourself.

🛼 Olympic Trials — February Only
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays (daytime) – 11 am – 2 pm

Wednesdays – Sk8Skills 1 & 2 – 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
🚫 Closed Feb 16–20

We can’t wait to skate with you.

🛼 Olympic Skating Games on Wheels

Family Friday • February 13 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

While the world is watching Olympic figure skating on ice, we’re bringing the excitement to the roller rink with Olympic Skating Games on Wheels — a special Family Friday event inspired by the grace, skill, and celebration of the Olympics.

Skaters of all ages and levels will take part in fun, skill-based skating games designed to highlight balance, rhythm, edges, spins, and presentation — all adapted for roller skates. Whether your skater is brand new, home-schooled, preschool-aged, or already rolling strong, everyone is welcome and included.

To make the experience truly Olympic, we’ll be awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at a real podium, complete with Olympic music — giving every skater the thrill of standing on the podium and feeling like a champion. Events will be offered for multiple levels and ages so every participant has a chance to shine.

This is not about competition or elimination — it’s about participation, confidence, and joy in motion. Think of it as:
See it on ice → Try it on wheels.

Event Details

🗓 Friday, February 13
🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
💲 $12 per skater
👶 Under 7 skate free with paid admission
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Family Rate: $30 for up to 4 family members

Join us for a special midday celebration of skating, inspired by the Olympics we love to watch — and made just right for families on wheels.

✨ All ages welcome
✨ All skill levels included
✨ Olympic spirit, zero pressure

Let the games begin!

This one’s going to feel magical — guaranteed goosebumps when that music plays.🌟

Coach’s Corner – New Blog Post

From the Coach’s Heart: My Life on Wheels

Roller skating has been part of my life since I was two years old. I quite literally grew up on the skating floor, surrounded by music, movement, competition, and community. Over the years, skating has carried me through childhood, performance, teaching, family life, and more than a few reinventions.

In this personal reflection, I share how a lifetime on wheels has shaped not just the skater I became—but the teacher, mentor, and person I am today. From early rink shows and competitive skating to building clubs, teaching families, and returning to the floor later in life, skating has been a constant teacher.

But perhaps the most important lesson is this: I’m still learning.

My students continue to teach me as much as I teach them—about courage, patience, musicality, perseverance, and joy. Skating isn’t something you outgrow; it’s something that grows with you. And I hope this story offers a glimpse of how skating can become a lifelong companion, shaping confidence, creativity, and connection long after the music starts.

This is the story behind why I teach the way I do—and why the skating floor will always feel like home.

🤝 LCDS Volunteer Opportunity

Rink Operators Appreciation Day
📅 Friday, February 20
Rink closed due to resurfacing

When the rink rests, the community rises. Join Last Chance Dance Skaters (LCDS) in a volunteer effort to thank and support rink operators—the unsung heroes who keep skating alive.

⸻

♻️ Skate Swap

📅 Thursday, February 26 (last Thursday of the month)

Trade gently used skating gear and help another skater roll forward. See a Coach or Team Member for details.

⸻

🛼 Monday Meetup – Offsite Adventure

📍 Lynnwood Skate & Bowl
📅 Monday, February 16 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

With El Centro closed, we’re skating elsewhere! Join us for Howard Jenkins’ Skate Therapy:
• 11:00–11:30 AM – Guided class
• 11:30–2:00 PM – Open skating

A great chance to explore another rink and skate together as a group.

🗓️ Calendar of Events — Artistic Skating 2025–2026 Season

The competitive and performance season is already shaping up to be an exciting one for our El Centro Artistic Team (ECAT) skaters! As we move toward 2026, there will be several major opportunities for our skaters to perform, test, and compete on both the regional and national stage.

Upcoming 2026 Events:

USARS Regional Qualifiers
June 20–22, 2026 — Portland, Oregon
Skaters who have been working hard through the fall and winter will have the opportunity to qualify for the USARS National Championships in their own backyard. This event serves as the gateway to Nationals and an inspiring showcase of the Pacific Northwest’s top talent.
Spring Showcase — Sponsored by Last Chance Dance Skaters
June 18, 2026 — 5:30–7:30 PM, El Centro Rink
Our annual Spring Showcase returns! This uplifting community event gives every skater a chance to shine and celebrate the progress of the season in a fun, family-friendly evening of performances, music, and awards.
AARS American Championships
June 24–July 3, 2026 — Union, Missouri
ECAT will proudly participate in this multi-division event that brings together artistic roller skaters from across the Americas. A great opportunity for our skaters to represent El Centro on a national stage.
USARS National Championships
July 2026 — Lincoln, Nebraska
The historic home of roller skating once again hosts Nationals! Skaters who qualify at Regionals will compete among the country’s best in this inspiring annual tradition. Official dates will be announced soon.

Skaters interested in performing, testing, or competing in any of these events should speak with Coach Linda or Coach Kayla for details about eligibility, travel, and training plans. More information will be shared as registration and event details become available.

💖 Thank You for Rolling with Us

💙 A Note as We Close…

As we wrap up this month, we just want to say thank you—for showing up, for supporting one another, and for bringing your unique energy onto the floor each week.

In our recent blog, Skate from the Heart, we talked about listening—to the music, to our bodies, and to each other. That idea carries us through everything we do here. Progress doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from presence. From skating with intention, curiosity, and joy.

Whether you’re just beginning, returning after time away, or finding new confidence in your skating, know this: what you bring to the floor matters. We see it. We appreciate it. And we’re honored to skate alongside you.

Thank you for being part of this community and for sharing the heart of your skating with us.

With gratitude and wheels still turning,
Coach Linda & Coach Kayla 🛼✨