skating - WKTV Journal

Photo courtesy Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association

By West Michigan Tourist Association

The Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association (GKSA) will host the 19th Annual Kick-Off Classic Synchronized Skating Competition at Wings Event Center Nov. 17–18.

The weekend-long event will feature:

Over 130 teams
Approximately 1,700 skaters
Teams competing who will represent Team USA at international competitions
Team critiques
A judge’s school

“There’s something so special about watching as many as 16 skaters performing intersections, wheels, traveling circles, jumps, and daring lifts to a variety of music with creative and innovative choreography. It’s an incredible experience to witness whether you’re a skater or not, and we love being able to share that with the community,” Kristen Crandle, Chairperson of Kick-Off Classic, said.

Kick-Off Classic Skating Competition

This synchronized skating competition began in 1999 with 11 teams. The competition now hosts more than 130 teams (more than 1700 skaters) from throughout the Midwest and sometimes even Canada. Competitors from beginners to senior levels, youth to adults, participate in the event. Additional features of this competition include team critiques and a judges’ school.

What is Synchronized Skating?

Synchronized skating is a team sport in which 8-20 skaters perform a program together. It uses the same judging system as singles, pairs, and dance and is characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations and challenging step sequences. As with the other disciplines, all teams perform a free skate with required well-balanced program elements. In addition, teams at the junior and senior level perform a short program consisting of required elements.

Elements in synchronized skating include blocks, circles, wheels, lines, intersections, move elements, creative elements, no holds elements, spins, and pairs moves. The variety and difficulty of elements require that each team member is a highly skilled individual skater. The typical senior-level athlete has passed a senior or gold test in at least two disciplines.

Kick-Off Classic will feature synchronized skating teams of 8-16 skaters ranging in age from 4 to adult with team levels from beginner to those qualifying for international Team USA assignments. Competition begins at 8:30am both days. Tickets are available at Wings Event Center Box Office. A detailed schedule may be found on www.greaterkzooskate.org under Special Events.

By Victoria Mullen

Full disclosure: I did not come up with that cool title. You can thank the folks at Muskegon Winter Sports Complex & Luge for that wonderful burst of creativity.

If you’re like me, winter is not your favorite season. Believe it or not, though, there are millions of people out there who actually enjoy cold weather activities.

If you’re one of those people, you’re in luck: Muskegon Winter Sports Complex in Muskegon State Park offers skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing–and luge. If you’re not familiar with the sport, go here for an interesting read on its history.

One of only four luge tracks in the United States, the 850-foot Muskegon L uge Track is shorter in overall length than the Olympic tracks located in New York and Salt Lake City (3740+ feet) but provides an Olympic thrill with the safety of the participant in mind. (There is also a naturbahn style track in Marquette, Michigan, by the way.)

What To Expect & What is Provided

Whom do we have to thank for the availability of this activity right here in west Michigan–and in Muskegon, to boot? None other than three-time Olympian Frank Masley .

The track consists of six curves and two starting areas. Public participants slide from the 3/4 mark at speeds up to 30 mph. The track is designed specifically for general public use and those who never have slid before.

Although Olympians do not generally train here, the sports complex serves as a public and youth development seeding program to the USA Luge program. Five-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist Mark Grimmette got his start here. While here sliding, participants may receive some instruction and tips from one of the youth program athletes, some of whom are team members on the USA National Teams.

The facility provides all the equipment needed, including the use of a finely tuned Austrian or Latvian luge sled. Participants are provided with sanitized helmets and forearm pads. Heads up: Participants are expected to carry their own sleds to the top, and those puppies weigh around 30-40 pounds each.

For the initiate, there are coaches on hand to teach steering and safety techniques. After that, participants are set free to slide as many times as they can during the session. Runs are timed at the end of the session and awards are given out at the podium to the top finishers.

Of course, what’s an activity opportunity without the fine print? Before you can participate in luge, you must show proof of health insurance.

Cost

$45.00 per person on Saturdays and Sundays
All Luge Tickets must be purchased in advance through an online reservation system. Due to limited space and increased demand, tickets cannot be reserved nor can tentative reservations be made. Group discounts are not available on Saturday or Sundays.

$40.00 per person for Friday Night Under The Lights
Special night rate for individuals and groups 6-8:30pm. Get your tickets here.