Skaters of All Ages To Perform at Annual Ice Show
Formed in 1993, the Marshfield Silver Laces Figure Skating Club showcases the local talents of skaters from age 3-adult. From October to March each year, more than 80 members train in preparation for various shows and competitions.
“Skaters can compete at many levels, from the high school team all the way down to a basic skills within the various levels,” said Lisa Berg, President of Marshfield Silver Laces. “I think the club is an important club because it caters to different types of skaters. The recreational skater who wants to learn to safely stop and turn were the goals for our one adult member this past year.”
She added that other members enjoy the exercise and learning a skill that they can use recreationally in the future. Along with recreation, the club also caters to the competitive skater, with more than one-third of its current members competing this past year.
“We were able to earn a 3rd place team trophy at the Appleton, Fox Valley competition,” said Berg. “Once they decide to compete, there are so many events they can compete in- from jumps and spins to a freeskate program to an artistic program.”
Berg enjoys watching skaters learn and improve over time, as does Co-Head Coach Danielle Hall. Hall is in her 9th season with Silver Laces, and enjoys working with all skill levels.
“Every skater is very different,” she said. “We offer group classes for the beginning skaters starting at age 3 and as skaters progress, they often want to start private lessons. The most motivated skaters practice four times per week in the winter months while the more recreational skaters practice 1-2 times per week.”
Skaters practice skills to improve the quality and speed of their skating, called “Moves in the Field,” as well as the more popular jumps and spins, which are the “Free Skate” skills.
“We try to find a balance in lesson and practice time to best develop their skills and growth as a skater,” said Hall.
Many skaters who take private lessons also enjoy competing at local competitions, such as Badger State Games and the Fox Cities Invitational in Appleton.
“We begin selecting their music during the summer and work on choreography of the programs on-ice,” said Hall. “The skaters need to learn to perform to the music and successfully complete the skills they learn while skating the program. It takes several months to get comfortable with an ice skating program and to build up stamina to compete successfully.”
Hall enjoys her job- the active and creative and also systematic and organized aspects- but especially the connection with the skaters.
“The families and skaters are really great to work with,” she said. “I have enjoyed the growth of the Club and the immense improvement in the skating over the years. The skaters become an extension of my family because we work so closely together and travel together for the competitions.”
Though the sport is traditionally very individual, Silver Laces also offers team opportunities to skaters, including Entertainment Teams over the years, a High School Team that competes against local high schools in order for the skaters to earn a varsity letter, and new this year, a Synchronized Skating Team and a Production Ensemble Team (like a theater production on ice).
“Skating can make a huge impact in a person’s life,” said Hall. “We learn a lot of ‘life
lessons’ on the ice. We fall a lot and have to keep working harder and getting back up to improve and try again. We learn to deal with constructive criticism. We learn to get up in front of crowd and put a smile on our face even if things do not go as planned. We learn to wake up early and motivate ourselves to practice and work hard even when it’s cold (really, really cold). I hope every skater whom I’ve worked with is better off for having skated and will have fond lifetime memories of their time on the ice.”
Anyone is welcome to watch the Marshfield Silver Laces annual ice show on March 4 at 3:30pm and 7:00pm, and March 5 at noon and 3:30pm.