Artistic roller skating: a sport that has had a grasp on my life for eight years, but nobody even knows it is a thing. So let me provide some insight on the activity’s background.
Artistic skating is a sport similar to ice figure skating in that it has many comparable disciplines. Roller skating has disciplines such as figures, loops, freestyle, compulsory dance, and many more. Events are categorized by age and skill level with participants selecting their best fit. There are local, regional, national, and even world competitions. Artistic roller skating has had a presence in world competition since 1981, and they have a world team the same as seen with olympic sports; except roller skating is not in the olympics.
I began artistic roller skating when I was eight years old and competed until I was almost 11. In those years I attended two regional competitions, placing in every event I skated in during the 2015 regional competition. At the time I was skating figures, loops, solo and team dance, but I was miserable. It's one of those circumstances when one coach can ruin all passion for a sport. So after having no motivation, I quit completely in 2016, one of the best and worst decisions I ever made.
Artistic skating is a sport similar to ice figure skating in that it has many comparable disciplines. Roller skating has disciplines such as figures, loops, freestyle, compulsory dance, and many more. Events are categorized by age and skill level with participants selecting their best fit. There are local, regional, national, and even world competitions. Artistic roller skating has had a presence in world competition since 1981, and they have a world team the same as seen with olympic sports; except roller skating is not in the olympics.
I began artistic roller skating when I was eight years old and competed until I was almost 11. In those years I attended two regional competitions, placing in every event I skated in during the 2015 regional competition. At the time I was skating figures, loops, solo and team dance, but I was miserable. It's one of those circumstances when one coach can ruin all passion for a sport. So after having no motivation, I quit completely in 2016, one of the best and worst decisions I ever made.
After talking about how much I missed skating, in the beginning of 2021 my mother finally got in touch with someone I used to skate with, Lisa Jerome. Upon finding out that Jerome was now coaching, I took it as an opportunity to re-enter the sport I once loved. Jerome said, “Transitioning into coaching was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. I already had the personal experience, but also the necessary words of encouragement to share with the athletes to have them skate at their best, something I wish I had more of when I was a competitor.” |
As I began practicing every week I realized that my passion had just grown stronger, and I knew I had to compete again. With the new support from Jerome, I began to feel like I belonged there. The rink became a second home for me, and I even got a job there as soon as I got my license.
As we transitioned into a new year, I knew that I had to compete in the competition coming up at my home rink, Youngstown Skate, on Feb. 20, 2022. As time neared, I was getting more and more prepared. This was going to be my competition.
Being an employee at the rink, my day was a little longer than most. The doors open at 5a.m. where people will then prepare themselves for the figure events anywhere from 6-8 a.m. I arrived at the rink at about 7:30 where I worked until about 11. Once my shift was over, it was time to prepare myself to skate. Lisa helped with my hair and makeup, and then it was time to go. The feeling of waiting beside the floor, experiencing the anxiousness built inside is indescribable. The moments leading up to competing are the most nerve wracking. Standing next to the floor waiting to be called is such an indescribable feeling. The nervousness mixes with excitement, leaving butterflies in my stomach.
As I took the floor for the first time in six years, I was so nervous I was shaking. The judges give you a couple minutes to roll around and stretch your legs before you skate your dances, and my roll around was not promising. Stepping off the floor waiting to be called back out for judging was the scariest experience, but our famous saying is fake it until you make it, and that is exactly what I did. I took the floor and skated both dances with my head held high, knowing that I did my best, and I would be happy with the outcome no matter what.
Being on that floor brought me so much joy that I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. As I left the floor, I had the most genuine smile on my face, something I never had before.
As we transitioned into a new year, I knew that I had to compete in the competition coming up at my home rink, Youngstown Skate, on Feb. 20, 2022. As time neared, I was getting more and more prepared. This was going to be my competition.
Being an employee at the rink, my day was a little longer than most. The doors open at 5a.m. where people will then prepare themselves for the figure events anywhere from 6-8 a.m. I arrived at the rink at about 7:30 where I worked until about 11. Once my shift was over, it was time to prepare myself to skate. Lisa helped with my hair and makeup, and then it was time to go. The feeling of waiting beside the floor, experiencing the anxiousness built inside is indescribable. The moments leading up to competing are the most nerve wracking. Standing next to the floor waiting to be called is such an indescribable feeling. The nervousness mixes with excitement, leaving butterflies in my stomach.
As I took the floor for the first time in six years, I was so nervous I was shaking. The judges give you a couple minutes to roll around and stretch your legs before you skate your dances, and my roll around was not promising. Stepping off the floor waiting to be called back out for judging was the scariest experience, but our famous saying is fake it until you make it, and that is exactly what I did. I took the floor and skated both dances with my head held high, knowing that I did my best, and I would be happy with the outcome no matter what.
Being on that floor brought me so much joy that I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. As I left the floor, I had the most genuine smile on my face, something I never had before.
After judging was done, it became a waiting game. I skated against four other girls who had been competing for a little while, so I wasn’t expecting much, but to my surprise, scores were posted and I got second place, a better outcome than I could ever imagine. I was more proud of myself than I have ever been, and I could tell my coach was too. I couldn’t imagine being where I am without her help. After asking her what kept her in the sport, Jerome said, “After 18 years in competitive skating, I felt my time in competition was nearing an end. A few years ago, an opportunity to teach at Youngstown Skate was offered. I took it as a way of giving back to the sport that was such a big part of my life. It is the most rewarding thing watching a young athlete compete in the sport that you love. I hope to instill the love of the sport in as many young hearts as I can.” I can assure you that Lisa means every word she says because she has helped me rediscover my passion for the sport I love most. As we continue our journey together, we are preparing to compete in Elyria at the end of April. |