Northfield Skating School

Last Sunday, four Northfield Skating School staff members volunteered as coaches for the 2008 Winterskate event at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. The event, organized by US Figure Skating Headquarters and presented in conjunction with the 2008 US Figure Skating Championships and National Skating Month, drew over 50 skaters from the twin cities area. Skaters received free 30-minute lessons and a chance to learn from professional, enthusiastic instructors.

According to Susi Wehrli, Senior Membership Director of US Figure Skating, coaches for the event were, “Personally selected to help with this promotion based upon [their] excellent teaching methods and enthusiasm for the sport of figure skating. The Winter Skate is designed to help generate excitement about skating in the Saint Paul and Minneapolis area and encourage people of all ages to take to the ice for fun, have a chance to meet skating celebrities and learn about ways to get more involved with local programs.”

Northfield Skating School coaches who participated were: Sofie Jokela, NSS Skating Assistant and Advanced Skater; Hattie Ryan, NSS Skating Assisant and Advanced Skater; Liz Bonawitz, NSS Assisant Director; and Carey Tinkelenberg, NSS Founder/Executive Director. Highlights of the morning included a visit from Basic Skills mascot Snowplow Sam and an exhibition by the World Silver Medallist University of Miami Synchronized Skating Team.