Skating school emphasizes patience and fun

Written by Brad Durrell
Thursday, 15 December 2011 16:49

The skating school instructor at the Wonderland of Ice tries to combine patience and fun when teaching people how to skate.

“If we keep it fun, they’ll like doing it,” said Karen Hawes, who was hired in September to oversee Wonderland’s many skating programs.

“We can teach from age 3 to 103,” she said, noting she now is working with a skater who is even younger at 2 years old.

Attendance in learn-to-skate programs usually increases immediately after Christmas, when some youngsters receive skates as gifts, and Wonderland is ready for them, Hawes said.

While the sessions offered during the fall usually are slower, this year about 100 youngsters signed up for pre-winter lessons at Wonderland, she said.

Lessons are available for people of all ages and skill levels. There is a maximum student-to-instructor ration of eight to one.

“It’s an all-inclusive program, and we’ll make it work for everyone,” she said.

Hawes said her goal is to build up the Wonderland skating school, which is a member of the Ice Skating Institute.

She said Lisa Fedak, Wonderland of Ice general manager, is a good boss because she understands what is important when it comes to teaching people how to skate.

“Her philosophy is to really promote knowledge and education,” Hawes said of Fedak, who is a skating coach and former competitive skater.

Wonderland will award skaters pins for certain achievements as their skills improve. “So many skills are associated with each level,” Hawes said.

Hawes was a competitive figure skater when younger, participating at the New England regional level. “I’ve always skated and taught, with at least a handful of students,” she said.

She lost her corporate job after 18 years about a year ago, and the Wonderland position is a perfect opportunity to begin a new career while doing something she loves.

“I call skating my natural high,” Hawes said. “I never leave the rink in a bad mood, frustrated or angry.”