Figure skating is one of the most dangerous and terrifying sports in the world; at least in my experience. In order to conquer my fear of skating, I have done two things: avoided participating in skating activities whenever possible; and, substituted my fear with adoration and respect for the accomplished athletes who make it look so easy.
My skating career was short-lived. When I was 10, I developed a cyst on the top of my left foot which made wearing figure skates even more uncomfortable than what they already were. I was also in my self-proclaimed (and generally agreed upon) chubby years and lacked the physical attributes to successfully land an axel or even to properly ‘shoot the duck’. Or, was it a goose? To add to my lack of positive body image, I was forced to wear a pink elephant costume one year in the skating carnival. Our group performed to the song, The Baby Elephant Walk. I would have preferred to be a pink toothbrush. Alas, the Smurf’s classic, I’m a Pink Toothbrush, You’re a Blue Toothbrush (and we met by the bathroom door) was reserved for the elite skaters.
Another upsetting event occurred while I was at skating lessons. I clearly remember being at the rink (the Silver ‘L’ Arena) on January 27, 1984 and learning that Michael Jackson’s scalp had been badly burned during the making of a ‘Pepsi’ commercial. This was tremendously unsettling for my 10-year old self who had recently joined his Fan Club. There was no way I could continue to skate that day. So, I headed to the rink booth. There’s nothing that a few Icy Squares can’t fix. For just a quarter, you could buy one of those chocolate morsels, wrapped in the jewel-tone foil. This little piece of chocolate heaven would melt in your mouth, providing incentive for you to show up at next week’s lesson.
My Dad built outdoor rinks year after year so that I could get some extra, and much needed, practice at home. A homemade outdoor rink is special. Sometimes it was the corner of the dugout, and other times he built one under the yard light. The only downside was the lack of side boards, which I required for stopping purposes. Skating outdoors at night, with just that one beacon of light, was magical. It was here that I could confidently display my skating prowess, away from judging eyes, and pretend I was Lexie from “Ice Castles”.
Skating carnivals were, and continue to be, the culmination of a season’s hard work and they are nothing short of theatrical productions with set design, themes and costumes. (Did I mention the pink elephant costume?) One year, my Mom painted the characters from Peanuts, each about 4 feet high, on long rolls of paper. They were cut out and pasted along the boards to create a unique backdrop for the themed event. That must have been when my sister was still at home and in figure skating, as I don’t recall participating in that particular carnival. If I had, I likely would have been assigned the role of Pigpen. Good grief, that still would have been better than a pink elephant! My sister had a homemade, blue corduroy skating dress, with sparkly silver trim; perhaps she was Lucy. I could have used some 5 cent Psychiatric Help after the pink elephant episode.
The Peanuts decorations did double duty. The following year my Mom used them as the decor for my birthday party in late February. We had a skating party under that yard light and a Snoopy cake. (If you’re hearing Vince Guaraldi music in your head right now, then my work here is nearly done.)
That was my 10th birthday and the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics would have been monopolizing CBC TV, one of two channels that we could receive on the farm. I was mesmerized watching the likes of Torvill & Dean and a young Katerina Witt. My Mom, like me, was also in awe of figure skaters from her childhood and always longed for a Barbara Ann Scott doll. Barbara Ann Scott was a Canadian figure skater who became World Champion in 1947, the year my Mom turned 10. My sister finally found one of those ‘antique’ Barbara dolls and gifted it to my Mom on her 86th Christmas. Mom collected dolls…a lot of dolls…and, while we will likely part with most of her collection at some point, that is one doll that we won’t be selling.
Best wishes to all of the young figure skaters who are preparing to take to the ice this month for their carefully choreographed and regularly rehearsed programmes! I am in awe of your agility, dedication and graceful glides.
My mom loved Barbra Ann Scott too
You are such a miserable little elephant in that photo! Great article.