Owatonna Figure Skating Club preps for annual show
A solo skater practices her routine and moves during an open skate at the Four Seasons Centre. The venue will keep its ice intact over the course of the spring, allowing the OFSC more time to practice later into the season. Photo courtesy Owatonna Figure Skating Club
Celebrating songs about water on a frozen sheet of ice. “High Seas Adventures” On Ice is the theme for the Owatonna Figure Skating Club’s annual show on Saturday, March 15 at 2 pm in the Four Seasons Centre.
Kathryn Walsh helped design the show by scouring social media and soundtracks to come up with the music.
“I really like how the coaches have helped me stay on theme and how we’re all getting props done together. Those are really nice. It’s all coming together very nicely, and I feel everyone is getting into the spirit of high seas,” she said.
“We’ve begun working with some of the older skaters in our club and they each get a year that they’re in charge of coming up with the theme, coming up with the music. Then us coaches work together to put the music and the choreography together,” said Coach Anne Walsh.
“This is the first year that we’ve asked some of our junior coaches to choreograph the routines for the little kids. It’s been really fun to watch them step out of their comfort zone,” said Anne Walsh.
Skater Brooklyn Bierlen doesn’t mind paying the price to get the routines just right.
“A lot of hard work goes into it. Choreography and everything. Footwork. And making sure we’re all on time together. A lot of hours go into it and sore feet,” said Bierlen.
She has a solo on Saturday. “Moving faster through the routine than I have in previous years. A lot of jumps and combination spins. It’s a lot of fun,” said Bierlen.
Romie Sanderson began skating about three years ago after going to an open skate and falling in love with it. She’ll appear in six or seven routines. “In three years, I’ve learned a ton of spins, a ton of jumps and how to skate in general,” said Sanderson.
Kathryn Walsh began 14 years ago after watching her older sister skate. “I’ve definitely grown and changed a lot. It’s been a really good thing for me as a person. I’ve definitely developed some character from it,” she said.
To reach a new skill set, she said the key is “wanting it more than it is frustrating.”
She is among the three out of 12 in the club that go to figure skating competitions. Sanderson believed it would be fun to join her teammates.
“The first competition I skated in, I got first, and I was really happy. Then the ones after that I wasn’t as happy with how I did. But now that I think back on it, I think I still did the best that I could at the time,” said Sanderson.
Bierlen encourages others to join. “I’d say just try it. And even if you fall, it’s fine. Because everybody falls on the ice,” she said.
Nearly 40 skaters will present about 15 numbers for “High Seas Adventures” On Ice. Tickets are $10 and available through the Owatonna Figure Skating Club website or at the door at the Four Seasons Centre. Spectators aged five and under are free.
The ice comes out soon for several dry floor events. Coach Walsh says they are excited that for the first time it will be put back in during mid-April and remain through the summer. “Usually, in our springtime, we have to drive up to Faribault for ice. So, it’s really nice to know that it’s just here locally.” A full set of classes will be offered, and all ages are welcome for the “Learn to Skate” program – even adults.