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🎄 Holiday Schedule Highlights

We’re pausing regular classes for the holidays and will resume instruction on
Tuesday, January 6.

In the meantime, we’re hosting a series of special holiday social skates, and we’d love to see you there!

Please note:
👉 Tuesday & Friday social skates are 2:00–4:00 PM during the holiday period
(this is different from our usual 11:00–1:00 PM time).

✨ JOY IN MOTION — December’s Theme

As we roll into the heart of The Big Dark in the beautiful PNW, our rink (El Centro Skate Rink in Federal Way, WA) becomes a bright spot in the week—a place where movement brings warmth, connection, and that unmistakable spark of joy. This year’s guiding theme, The Joy of Skating, reaches its fullest meaning now, as we find light not from the sun… but from each other, from the music, and from the simple magic of wheels in motion.

This month, we’re celebrating how joy grows when we move with intention—through the beautiful basics, the Art of Plain Skating, and every breakthrough that makes skating feel effortless and expressive.

Here’s a glimpse of the message that opens our December season:

“Joy isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we create every time we show up, glide forward, and let movement wake us up from the inside out.”

✨ Read the full December reflection on ArtisticSkating.com →

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🗓️ December Calendar & Announcements

🎁 (Un)Boxing Day — Family Skate!

The Day After Christmas… let’s get out of the house and ROLL!

After the wrapping paper settles and the cookies disappear… it’s time to lace up, step out, and move together as a family!
Join us on December 26th for a special Family Skate & Artistic Skating Pop-Up — the perfect way to shake off the holiday stillness and enjoy some joyful movement together.

Whether you received new skates for Christmas or you’ve had a pair waiting in the closet, this day is for you. And even if you don’t own skates — no problem! We’ll have rentals available so everyone can enjoy the fun.

🛼 What to Expect:

• Family-friendly skating time
• Instructors on the floor for tips and help
• A pop-up intro to artistic skating (just a taste!)
• Skates and equipment check-in for new gear
• Lots of smiles… maybe even a few laps holding hands!

🛼 Perfect For:

• Families wanting to get active the day after Christmas
• Kids who want to show off their new skates
• Parents who skated when they were young and want to try again
• Beginners, curious skaters, and returning skaters of all ages

Date: Thursday, December 26th
Time: 2 – 4 PM
Location: El Centro Skate Rink
Bring: Your skates (boxed or unboxed!) and your family!

Let’s make December 26th a tradition —
A day to roll, laugh, and move together after the holiday hush.
Because time together is the real gift. 💫

Note: This is a pop-up event hosted by Artistic Skating, and as such we don’t offer snack bar or arcade service. We will have special treats in the Snack Bar and a Fund Raiser Bake Sale to benefit our Artistic Skating Team. This special social skate is for families with children, and our focus is fun learning games and music selected for the young ones.

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🌈 December’s theme: Joy In Motion

✨ What to Expect in Classes This Month! ✨

December may be a short month for classes, but we’re filling every minute with what matters most: JOY. Not the perform-it-perfect, toes-just-so kind of joy… but the real kind. The kind that comes from moving your body, laughing with friends, discovering new rhythms, and doing those quirky little moves that feel amazing — even if the mirror (or the photos) tell another story.

You know the moment: you lift your leg into a glorious, sweeping spiral… the wind in your hair, the music swelling…
And then someone shows you the picture and — well — your leg was apparently only 3 inches off the ground.
But did it feel fabulous?
Yes.
And that’s exactly the spirit we’re embracing this month.

💫 Feel-Good Skating All Month Long

We’ll explore the movements that make your body say “ooooh yes” — the stretches, the flowing edges, the silly-but-satisfying wiggles, the powerful pushes, the little hops and swizzles that wake up your imagination. Whether they’re technically “correct” or not, if they bring you joy, they’re in the mix this month.

🎶 Skating to New Tempos & Styles

We’ll also play with music in a big way:

• Fast songs, slow songs, dreamy songs
• Ballroom, pop, classic rink favorites
• And even a few surprises…

We’ll take some familiar dances we’ve been practicing all year and try them to completely different music — and suddenly, everything changes. It’s a beautiful way to discover flow, personality, and confidence on the floor.

🛼 Daytime Classes: A Year-in-Review

Both Sk8Groove and Sk8Artistic daytime classes will spend December revisiting every dance we’ve worked on in 2024. Think of it as a joyful rewind — a chance to remember how far you’ve come, how your edges have smoothed out, how your posture has lifted, and how your confidence has grown.

We’ll also be preparing some special takeaways for the
Joy of Skating Workbook — 2025 Edition, including:

• Steps we’ve mastered
• Dances we’ve completed
• Reflections on joy, momentum, and growth
• A few inspiration pages to carry into the new year

🎩🥧 Grand Finale: GRAND MARCH + “Ties & Pies” Social

We’ll close out our December classes with a festive Grand March, followed by a “Ties & Pies” Social hosted by our Last Chance Dance Skaters Club. Bring a fun tie, your best pie, your family, or your friends — and get ready for laughter, photos, and plenty of sugary cheer.

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This Month’s Theme: Joy in Motion

It’s not about perfection.
It’s not about comparison.
It’s about remembering why we skate in the first place:
Because it feels good to move. Because it feels good to belong. Because it feels good to glide.

And that joy? It’s already in you.
Let’s skate it out together. 💖🛼✨

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💫 Ready to Grow? Private Lessons Are Your Pathway Forward.

Whether you’re just starting out, getting your confidence back, or dreaming big for the year ahead, nothing accelerates your progress like one-on-one instruction with a trusted guide. Private lessons offer focused attention, personalized feedback, and the kind of targeted breakthroughs that simply aren’t possible in a group setting.

Our certified instructors — Linda Sewell and Kayla Burns — bring decades of experience, artistry, and a whole lot of heart to every lesson. Think of us as your skating guides: we help you discover your strengths, polish your edges, and explore the skills that make you feel joyful, expressive, and capable on wheels.

🌟 Private Instruction Can Help You:

• Build a strong foundation and correct early habits
• Level up specific skills like edges, turns, spins, or dance steps
• Prepare for Sk8Skills testing, Sk8Stars, or competitive goals
• Gain confidence and consistency in your skating
• Create a personalized plan for growth in the new year

Private lessons are the perfect place to ask questions, explore new ideas, try challenges at your own pace, and experience real “aha!” moments — the kind that stay with you long after you roll off the floor.

As we look toward a fresh new year, this is a wonderful time to invest in deeper, more intentional skating instruction. We’ll be announcing a special January opportunity soon, so stay tuned!

👉 Visit our Private Lessons page to contact the certified teacher of your choice and begin your next chapter on wheels.

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The Skaters Have Spoken!

💃🛼 Last Chance Dance Skaters Club Update — New Leadership Elected!

Our skating community took a big step forward on November 20th as the Last Chance Dance Skaters Club held its first organizational meeting — and we are thrilled to announce the election of our inaugural officers:

• Bri Sevores — President
• Justine Briley — Vice President
• Rosita Mayo — Secretary/Treasurer

This dynamic trio will be working together throughout December to prepare the Club’s Mission Statement and By-Laws, setting a strong foundation for the future. With their leadership, we’ll be ready to hit the ground rolling in January, when the Club will officially file its 501(c)(3) nonprofit application.

Why This Matters

Becoming a nonprofit organization gives the Club the ability to support the sport of Artistic Skating in the ways our local members choose — whether that’s helping skaters attend competitions, offering scholarships, improving equipment, promoting special events, or creating more opportunities for our community to grow.

It also means the Club can host fundraising activities such as:

• Skating shows & exhibitions
• Bake sales
• Skate-a-thons
• Community events
• And more — all benefiting the goals decided by the membership

This is a huge milestone for our skate family and a beautiful example of what happens when skaters come together with vision, energy, and heart.

Stay tuned — 2025 is going to be a remarkable year for the Last Chance Dance Skaters!

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🏆 Building Our Future: The El Centro Artistic Team Judges Panel

Behind every great skater is a great judge.
This fall, the El Centro Artistic Team is proud to introduce its new Judges Panel, a dedicated group of skaters and teachers training to become certified judges for the RSA Achievement Tests and USARS competitions.

Led by Kaydee Mounce, an experienced judge, referee, and tabulator, the group meets Fridays at 1:00 PM to study scoring systems, judging ethics, and how to fairly and clearly evaluate the skaters who’ve worked so hard to master their skills.

“Judging is more than just scoring,” says Mounce. “It’s about recognizing the hard work and heart each skater puts into their performance—and helping them see their progress clearly.”

All El Centro Artistic Team members are invited to join these sessions to learn what judges look for and how the testing system works. Successful candidates will be certified to judge at local Test Centers and can go on to train for regional and national events through USARS and AARS.

📸 Photo: Members of the El Centro Artistic Team Judges Panel during a recent Friday training session.

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🗓️ 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:

• America’s Cup Championships of Clubs
  January 16–22, 2026 — Orlando, Florida
  This prestigious invitational event kicks off the year and brings together clubs from across the nation for a celebration of artistic roller skating excellence.
• 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.

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💖 Thank You for Rolling with Us

We’re so grateful for everyone who’s been part of this growing community — both on and off the rink. Your encouragement keeps us going through the late nights, the learning curves, and the occasional “oops” moments. Thank you for your patience and for believing in this journey as we keep building something truly special together.

See you at the rink (and online, too!)
~ Coach Linda & Coach Kayla

🌈 October Update: A Little Late, but Worth the Wait

It’s true — this “October” update is arriving a little fashionably late! Between teaching, preparing for the new season, and learning the ins and outs of all the new website tools Holli so beautifully built, it’s taken me longer than expected to get everything in motion. I’m finally taking the time to understand each piece of the system — from payment modules to scheduling tools — so I can use them effectively from here on out.

Thank you for your patience while I get my digital skates under me again. This update will help keep everyone informed about what’s happening both at the rink and online at ArtisticSkating.com, and I’m happy to say that after a busy few weeks, classes are settling back into our “back to normal” rhythm (whatever that means for skaters!).

🛼 A Note About Sk8Arts Academy & ArtisticSkating.com

As our community grows, it’s time to start distinguishing between the two sides of our world:

ArtisticSkating.com is our online home base — where we’ll be building a national (and eventually international) hub for artistic roller skating: articles, videos, testing programs, and community news.🌈

Sk8Arts Academy is our in-person teaching program — the classes, shows, and coaching that happen right here at the El Centro Skate Rink.

For now, both live here together on this site, but over the next few months, you’ll start to see a clearer separation between the two as we prepare to launch dedicated spaces in the new year.

🌐 About ArtisticSkating.com

ArtisticSkating.com is the online home of our growing skating community — a place where skaters, teachers, and fans of all ages can connect, learn, and be inspired. Here you’ll find resources designed to support every stage of the artistic skating journey: from skill tutorials and testing opportunities to stories that celebrate the people and history behind our sport.

Our goal is to build a vibrant national (and eventually international) hub that shines a light on the art, athleticism, and heart of roller skating. Whether you skate in a local rink, a small-town club, or a backyard driveway — you belong here.

🛼 Welcome to Sk8Arts Academy

We’re happy to share that Sk8Arts Academy at El Centro Skate Rink is open, thriving, and rolling full speed ahead into the new season! With classes, performances, and training opportunities for skaters of all ages and levels, our Academy continues to grow into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection.

As we head into the 2025–2026 season, we’re building on the strong foundation we’ve created together — expanding our programs, strengthening our teaching team, and preparing our skaters for testing, show performances and competitive opportunities ahead. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning to continue your journey, there’s never been a better time to lace up your skates and become part of the Sk8Arts family.

💖 Thank You for Rolling with Me

I’m so grateful for everyone who’s been part of this growing community — both on and off the rink. Your encouragement keeps me going through the late nights, the learning curves, and the occasional “oops” moments. Thank you for your patience and for believing in this journey as we keep building something truly special together.

See you at the rink (and online, too!)
~ Coach Linda

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🛠 A Note About Construction
El Centro Rink is currently finishing some exciting renovations, which means there may occasionally be construction activity during the early part of the day. Work is scheduled to end by 2:00 PM, so our afternoon and evening classes should run smoothly. Still, we may need to adjust or cancel some morning programs on short notice if the work interferes with skating. We’ll keep our website and message board updated with the latest information, and we appreciate your flexibility as we roll through this transition together.
~Coach Linda 🛼✨

New Classes!

🌟 Sk8Stars – Shine on the Artistic Path

Thursdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM

For advancing artistic skaters ready to take center stage.
Sk8Stars is designed for skaters who have mastered the fundamentals and are ready to refine their technique, musicality, and performance quality. This class focuses on the artistry and precision that define competitive and show skating — including advanced edges, turns, spins, jumps, dance sequences, and presentation skills.

Students in Sk8Stars train alongside others who share a passion for expression and excellence. The program includes guided skill development, performance choreography, and preparation for testing or competition. Whether your goal is to challenge the RSA Test System, perform in showcases, compete at local and national competitions, or simply explore your artistic potential, Sk8Stars helps you build confidence, strength, and stage presence worthy of the spotlight.

🌟 New Sk8Skills Class: A Family-Friendly Next Step in Skating!

Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:30 PM

We’re excited to announce our Wednesday Sk8Skills Class, designed as the perfect bridge for skaters who have completed our Saturday Beginner’s Class—or anyone who’s ready to move beyond the basics!

In Sk8Skills, skaters of all ages come together in a fun, family-friendly environment to build confidence and strengthen fundamentals. Skaters should already be comfortable rolling forward, balancing, starting and stopping, and knowing how to fall and get back up safely. From there, our program helps them grow step by step.

The journey doesn’t stop there—graduates of Sk8Skills advance into Sk8Stars, where they are introduced to the exciting world of traditional artistic skating disciplines, including dance, freestyle, and figures.

Whether you’re a child, teen, or adult, Sk8Skills is the place to grow together, celebrate achievements, and discover your skating potential.

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🌟 Sk8Lab – Experiment, Explore, Elevate!

Tuesdays 4:30–5:30 PM
Step into Sk8Lab—our guided practice session for skaters ready to experiment, explore, and elevate their skills! This supervised training time blends independent practice with targeted coaching, break-out sessions, and collaborative exploration of technique, musical interpretation, and partner skating. Perfect for skaters with testing, performance, or competitive goals, Sk8Lab helps you develop strong training habits and discover what works best for your unique skating style.

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💫 Sk8Passes – Your Ticket to Progress and Savings!

Choose your path and save big with our Sk8Passes — convenient monthly subscriptions designed for every kind of skater. Each one-day-a-week pass gives you unlimited access to your chosen program: Sk8Groove Pass (Tuesdays), Sk8Artistic Pass (Thursdays), or Sk8Aspire Pass (Tues/Thurs 4:30–5:30 PM). Each is just $120 per month, offering significant savings over walk-in pricing. Want it all? The All Access Pass lets you attend every class, every social skate, and every practice session, plus enjoy exclusive member perks — all for $225/month. All passes renew automatically each month, so your skating momentum never stops!

🚀 NEW~ Sk8Aspire Path: Take Your Skating to the Next Level

For skaters ready to dream big, the Sk8Aspire Path provides the training and guidance to unlock their full potential. This path combines Thursday Sk8Stars Class with Tuesday Sk8Lab sessions for a well-rounded, progressive experience.

We’re also happy to continue our popular Sk8Passes for the Tuesday and Thursday programming:

Sk8Stars introduces skaters to the foundation of traditional artistic skating disciplines—dance, freestyle, and figures—building on the fundamentals mastered in Sk8Skills. With structured lessons and inspiring choreography, this class helps skaters step into artistry while continuing to sharpen technique.

Sk8Lab is where that training comes to life. These supervised practice sessions include break-out groups focused on specific skills, so each skater can zero in on what they need most—whether it’s edges, turns, spins, jumps, or dance steps. With coaches guiding the process, skaters get individual attention in a supportive, structured environment.

And our ALL ACCESS Passes are still a favorite for skaters that want to take advantage of all our program has to offer: All Tuesday, Thursday and Friday events are covered, including all private practice hours from 2 – 4 PM, all Classes, and all Social Skates. Need more info, or ready to take the plunge? Click here:

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🎶 Sk8Groove & Sk8Artistic Classes Are Rolling Again!

🌈 October’s Theme: “The Art of Plain Skating”

This month we’re exploring the beauty of simplicity — mastering posture, edge control, and effortless glide. It’s all about confidence through clean skating, and discovering that what looks “plain” is actually the foundation of every great performance.

• Sk8Groove will debut new choreography inspired by classic rhythm skating moves with a modern twist — perfect for social sessions and freestyle flow.
• Sk8Artistic will dive into new pattern dances and transitions, blending elegance and precision to strengthen timing, poise, and teamwork.

So whether you’re refining your skills, preparing to perform, or just coming to groove and reconnect with friends — grab your skates, and let’s celebrate The Art of Plain Skating together!

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Get Ready to Shine! We’re back, baby!

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August Skating News from Coach Linda & Team

Hey Y’all!
Hope you’re soaking up this gorgeous Pacific Northwest summer! 🌞

We wrapped up a fun and very productive National Championships in Reno, then took the scenic route home—up the coast, sand in our shoes, and zero thoughts of skating… for about three days. Then, of course, I started thinking about skating again. 😉

Nationals Reflections
Huge congratulations to all the skaters who participated in the USARS Competitive System this season—especially our local stars who showed up, skated hard, and gave it their all.

To me, competition isn’t about beating others or proving something—it’s about performing your best under pressure. Being judged after months of training is one thing, but stepping out for the first time ever takes courage, confidence, and a leap of faith. Bravo to everyone who keeps striving to be their best—you are the only judge that matters!

August: The “Off-Season” That Isn’t

Traditionally, competitive roller skaters take August off to decompress, heal, and recharge before the September season kick-off. But honestly? By mid-August, I start missing the motion, the music, and—most of all—the people!
So this year, we’re sprinkling in some August meetups. No expectations. No pressure. Just rolling with friends, reconnecting with the community, and soaking in the joy of skating together

Summer Skating Meetups

Fri, Aug 8 El Centro Skate Rink 5:30 – 8:30 PM: Open session fun!
Wed, Aug 13 Lynnwood Bowl & Skate 6 – 8 PM: Groove night vibes
Wed, Aug 20 Marysville Skating Rink 11 AM – 1 PM: Midday skate break
Sun, Aug 24 T Point Ruston (The Dunes) 2 – 5 PM: Outdoor skate! (Tentative)
T = tentative date—watch for confirmation on the website and socials.

Also on the Blog
📝 New post: “To Help – Or Not to Help: That is the Skating Question” — A thoughtful (and slightly funny) take on rink etiquette.
We’ll post again by Aug 25 with the Fall Schedule and details about the daytime program start date.
Until then—stay cool, stay safe, and keep rolling!
~Coach Linda 🛼✨

Summer Rink Closure Update

Construction Delays… and What’s Coming Next

Well, friends—if you’ve ever done a home remodel, you know how this story goes. As often happens with projects of this size, construction is running behind schedule, and it may be mid-to-late September before our Daytime Program can officially roll again.

But don’t worry—we’ll stay in touch, and I’ll post updates as soon as I have them.

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In the Meantime…

While the hammers and drills are busy at the rink, I’m busy behind the scenes, working on fresh tutorials and new class plans for the upcoming season.

💡 The secret word for next season?
PARTNER SKATING!
You’ll hear more in just a couple of weeks—but let’s just say you might want to brush up on your teamwork skills (and your smile).

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What’s New for Fall

• A Brand-New Skills Class – Details coming soon!
• Special Pricing for Tuesday & Thursday Social Skates – More skating, less strain on your wallet.
• GrooveSK8 & Artistic Classes Return – With:
  • Fresh dance styling ideas
  • New drills & choreography to keep practice fun
  • Early prep for our December Showcase

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Get Ready to Shine!

When we roll back in, be prepared to level up your skills and perform for your adoring audience. Your fans (and your coach!) can’t wait to see you back on the floor.

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Nationals Results

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Nationals 2025 – What a Week! 🏆

We are so proud of all our local skaters who represented our community at the USARS National Championships in Reno. You all brought heart, skill, and a whole lot of style to the floor!

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Spotlight on Kayla Burns

A HUGE congratulations to Kayla Burns of South Gate Skating Club for earning the Bronze Medal in Silver 1 Figures! 🎉 Kayla also made the finals in her Creative Solo event and became a true crowd favorite with her high-energy Las Vegas routine (yes—that’s the same one you might remember from our Spring Showcase).

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First-Timers Making Big Impressions

For Justine, Patrick, Ellen, and Hayley, Nationals was not just their first time on the big stage—it was their first competition ever! All four skated admirably, earning solid scores and warm appreciation from the audience. Way to set the bar high for your future events!

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Mavis’s Incredible Journey

One of our favorite skaters, Mavis, faced some unexpected travel drama when Alaska Airlines’ delays caused her to miss her figure event. But she wasn’t about to let that stop her—she made the drive from Seattle to Reno in time for her Dance event. Huge thanks to Rosita, Sandy, and June for making sure she got there just in time!

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Fans in the Stands

We were thrilled to spot Pam and Loyd cheering from the sidelines—what a surprise! Maybe next year we’ll see them on the floor instead of in the stands. 😉

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A Coaching Dream Team

An enormous thank you to Lona Denis and Sue Logghe for their coaching assists. I truly couldn’t have done it without you both!

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Till next year… Keep Rolling! 🛼✨

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Last Chance Dance Skaters – Get in on the Ground Floor!

We’re thrilled to announce the formation of our official Club Chapter: LAST CHANCE DANCE SKATERS – Chapter #1: A home for skaters of all levels to connect, perform, and build something special together. Want to join or volunteer? Take our survey and let your voice be heard!

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BONUS Skater Swag Alert!

New designs just dropped in the shop – yes, the SkaterTots mug is real and it’s adorable!

Visit the Skaters Shop! Every purchase supports our programs!