BeCool
Go Figure!
By Heidi Travis
Ah the Gulf Coast! Sunshine, sugar-white beaches, emerald waters and…figure skating?! Yes, in fact, here in our very own city of Pensacola there is a place where you can strap on a pair of skates and you can flip, and Lutz, and Salchow till your heart’s content—though, you may not want to start with that. First you need the basics. Lucky for you, the Greater Pensacola Figure Skating Club’s got you covered. Operating out of the Pensacola Bay Center October through March, GPFSC welcomes people of any age to come and learn the safe way to take a turn on the ice. Established in 1996 and boasting an Ice Sports Industry membership, they have been helping recreational skaters hone their skills and even helped some transition into more competitive circles. 34 PENSACOLASPORTS.ORG
We caught up with GPFSC Treasurer, Sharon Gaubert, who gave us the inside scoop on the club’s history and current status. “Most people are surprised to hear that GPFSC has been in existence for over 20 years. It was founded by Dr. Dan Summers and Judy Holmes in 1996 in an effort to provide skating opportunities to the area,” Gaubert said. “At the time Dr. Summers had three daughters, now grown, who skated. Judy continues to remain active with the Club as the Skate Director. She has a grandson who currently skates and competes with the Club. The Club is a 501(c)3 organization that is volunteer (parents) run. GPFSC is a member of and operates under the governance of ISI (Ice Sports Industry), an international association that encompasses all aspects of ice sports. Last season we had 82 skaters participate in our programs. While our goal is to continue to grow, there is a limit to the total number of skaters we can accommodate and keep the ice safe,” she said. The GPFSC currently offers two major classes, the Tot Program for skaters ages 3 to 6, and the Learn to Skate Program which is geared more broadly towards beginning skaters in general. According to Gaubert, the Learn to Skate class is the
perfect gateway for anyone wanting to break into the scene, young or old. “The skills taught in the Learn to Skate programs for adults and youth are the same. The Learn to Skate classes are designed for skaters with little to no previous experience. Teens and adults who are new to GPFSC, but who have some skating experience, may opt to start with a small group class rather than the beginner class. Our coaches are great at assessing skill levels and ensuring students are properly placed to ensure they have a safe, enjoyable and challenging experience,” Gaubert said. Gaubert stresses that safety is a priority and that, while there are risks involved in ice skating as with any sport, their coaches take particular care to teach beginners the proper way to fall and to get up. Additionally, she says that they cap the number of skaters on the ice to ensure a safer environment and to minimize the risk of injury or accident. You may wonder, what about equipment? Most of us here in the south aren’t likely to own a pair of ice skates. Not to worry! Gaubert assures that the Learn to Skate package includes “everything you need to start out!” Rental skates are, in fact, included in this package.