It might be the dead of summer, but for those who are truly passionate about winter sports like figure skating the season never ends.
Now, young figure skaters in Clifton Park are getting a boost —literally and in terms of confidence — via a jump harness that was installed at the Clifton Park Ice Arena several weeks ago.
The harness is one four within the Capital District. Other rinks set up with the harness are the Weibel Ice Rink in Saratoga, the YMCA rink in Delmar and the Knickerbacker Ice Arena in Troy. The rig was donated by the Albany Figure Skating Club.
“It’s the one item that they (Clifton Park Ice Arena) didn’t have,” said Club President Vincent Smentkowski.
He approached Rink Manager Scott Bobrow about getting the harness and thus started an effort that spanned three years. Many individuals and businesses pitched in to purchase the jump harness, which cost $4,700. It might have taken a few years but to those with a vested interest, it’s been worth the wait.
“I am thrilled that the Albany Figure Skating Club was able to raise the funds in order to purchase and install this equipment at the Clifton Park Ice Arena. We have many fine skaters in the area, and I am looking forward to seeing all of our local skaters make use of this new harness to improve their jumps,” Smentkowski said.
Alpin Haus, Bank of America, the Clifton Park Ice Arena, Halfmoon Family Dental, Hoffman’s Car Wash Helping Hands Program, Panera Breadand Stewart’s Shops, as well as the Kuglin, Olsen, Gault and Smentkowski families all pitched in.
Bobrow said that the apparatus has been getting a lot of use lately and that the addition was good for area figure skaters.
“It’s been very well received and getting a fair amount of usage,” he said.
The jump harness is used four days a week by approximately 10 figure skating coaches and dozens of students. Stacey Kuglan, director of the Learn to Skate Program at the Clifton Park rink and a figure skating coach, said that the harness doesn’t teach skaters to jump, but rather helps those who are close to landing a jump while they’re taking off.
“The teacher holds a towrope, like in water skiing,” she said. “The skater runs and the teacher then pulls on the rope. It gives them a little extra time in the air.”
The harness also teaches muscle memory and builds confidence in the skaters. Kuglan added it’s a “really good tool” for skaters who may be falling a lot or who are short on their landings.
“I help on the first or second try of a jump but not on the third,” said Kuglan. By the third try students usually get the hang of it and are pleasantly surprised when they find out that Kuglan actually didn’t help.
“All of a sudden they know they can do it. I totally see a difference in their confidence level … and it’s a real burst of improvement,” added Kuglan.
Jumps that skaters work on with the harness include the axle with double and triple rotations along with the famous Salchow.
Smentkowski said the harness helps skaters get a better feel for the way things need to be situated for a jump.
“It’s most critical for skaters who are around 12 or 13. At that point they start thinking it’s too hard and wind up losing interest,” he said.
The harness will likely last decades and will undergo routine maintenance checks to make sure everything is in working order. All coaches who employ the harness for lessons are specially trained and certified to use the jump harness.
For more information on the Albany Figure Skating Club, visit www.albanyfsc.org.