The
Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Club is a non-profit organization devoted to the instruction and
development of the sport of figure skating in the Washington County community. It actively promotes the mental and physical rewards of recreational skating. In doing
so the figure skating club provides the community with the only formal, professionally taught skating program in
the county.
In
1993 informal group lessons began, with the club offering the Ice Skating Institute's learn-to-skate program. In 1995 the first board of directors took control of the program and the club was formed. In 1999 the club became a member of the United States Figure Skating Association as a basic skill member and instituted USFSA's prestigious
Skate With Us learn to skate program, sponsored by Chevrolet. This grass roots developmental program is the same program that
provided a start to skaters like Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski. It was specifically designed for first-time skaters interested
in having fun while developing their basic skating skills. And, in 2002, the club reached its long term goal of becoming
a full member USFSA club. As such, it can now host USFSA test sessions and sanctioned competitions, as well as support
the needs of those skaters who desire to participate in a more serious level of competition.
The
club makes its home at the Kettle Moraine Ice
Center, West Bend, Wisconsin and is run entirely by parent volunteers. They spend countless hours
managing and administrating the clubs skating program, test sessions, its annual basic skill competition in December and the
annual ice show.
Group lessons take skaters from their first step on the ice through acquiring all of the single jumps. Progress is always rewarded! In an effort to support and encourage
their development the club hosts an annual basic skill competition where skaters can demonstrate their skills.
These types of competitions are geared toward developing a sense of confidence and accomplishment. Events are kept small with every skater being rewarded
for their placement ! Additional practice ice is offered as skaters progress in order to encourage further development and accommodate
private lessons with our professional staff.
In
2003 the club sponsored its first exhibition where skaters could perform a solo for their family and friends in a relaxed and mildly structured event. The exhibition was well received.
The
annual
ice show is another opportunity
for all of the skaters to demonstrate their skills in a fun and exciting atmosphere!
Basic skill skaters anxiously set their sights on their first show solo! Quite
often it is a huge accomplishment for them!
The
organization further supports and assists in the development of those amateur skaters that choose to pursue competitive aspirations.
These skaters regularly participate in competitions throughout the state of Wisconsin as well as surrounding states.
Wisconsin’s annual Badger State Winter Games includes the largest figure skating competition in the state and is regularly attended
by Kettle Moraine skaters. Quite often it is the first large competition many
of its young skaters attend. In 1999 skaters awarded medals at Badger State Winter Games earned the privilege of participating in the first bi-annual State
Games of America held in St. Louis. It allowed skaters, from all over the country, to participate in the games on a national
level. Seven of the club’s skaters proudly represented the West Bend community and returned with eight gold medals out of the nine events they entered
that first year! Club skaters again participated in the 2001 State Games of America. Every participant returned with a medal!
The
club was excited to be represented, for
the first time, by two of its skaters
at the 2002 Upper Great Lakes Regional
Championships. This competition is the first round of qualifying for the United
States Figure Skating Clubs National Championships and Kettle Moraine has been represented by skaters every since! Five
years later...at the 2007 regional championship we witnessed skaters performing double axels and triples and watched
as two of the club's skaters qualified for the 2007 Junior National Championships!
Another milestone was realized during the 2003-2004 season when two of its skaters passed
USFSA’s senior level moves-in-the field tests. Having done so they are
awarded
a gold level status by USFSA is
that discipline. This number continues to grow as does the achievement of the Kettle Moraine Skaters!