It’s Never Too Late to Skate
Guest post by Emily Chang
You watch talented athletes vie for gold every four years. You look on as skaters whizz by you during an ice show. You might’ve even tried ice skating yourself. At first look, skating might seem like something for young individuals who possess ample strength and agility. The combination of a slippery surface and natural fear of injury makes skating daunting to many onlookers, especially those of advanced age.
But Leslie Bryan, 65, and Charles Luce, 72, prove otherwise. As avid skaters at the Richard J. Codey Arena in New Jersey, the Weehawken residents defy all stereotypes of age and ability.
The “pleasure principle” is what draws Luce to the ice. Ever since his mother put him on skates as a child, he fell in love with the “freedom of flying” the sport provides.
Bryan, however, possessed a deep hatred for skating after her first childhood experience, and instead devoted her life to a career in ballet. It wasn’t until she met Luce in her 50s that she returned to the rink, pleasantly surprised by the feeling of the ice beneath her. While Bryan and Luce’s love for the sport has been fueled by different forces at different times, their current success proves that it’s never too late to start skating. Bryan now refers to skating as her “happy place.”
“Dance used to fill a certain place in my life,” she said. “Ice skating has fallen into that place.”
Bryan’s dance background remains an important part of her life. She and Luce began ice dancing under the guidance of their Olympic ice dance coach, Kenneth Foster. The pair have already mastered four pattern dances and are currently working on improving their unison.
Not only do Bryan and Luce enjoy the unique artistry of skating, they also appreciate the myriad of health benefits. Skating burns calories and improves cardiovascular health, in addition to improving balance, building muscle and strengthening bones.
“[Skating] has really helped me focus on other things that I’ve never done in other forms of exercise such as agility, finesse and grace,” Luce said. He also appreciates the “mental boost” skating provides, freeing his mind from life’s problems.
Bryan and Luce have also been rewarded with long-lasting relationships with other skaters. These “rink rats” often travel to the outdoor rink in Sun Valley, Idaho, where they have forged many friendships with those who share the same dedication to the sport. This sense of community is incredibly valuable to the couple, and they look forward to further expanding their social circle.
Bryan and Luce prove that this lifetime sport is open to all ages and skill sets, and they hope their positive skating stories will inspire others to join them on the ice.
Learn to Skate USA, powered by Toyota, offers an adult skating curriculum for both new and experienced skaters. Whether you possess a competitive drive or you simply desire fun and fitness, the world of skating has endless possibilities and will allow a simple pastime blossom into a greater sense of personal fulfillment.
Visit learntoskateusa.com to learn more about starting your ice skating journey.
Emily Chang is a U.S. Figure Skating triple gold medalist and four-time National Solo Dance Final medalist. She is also a Learn to Skate USA instructor in New Jersey and promotes skating by educating and inspiring a love of skating through her award-winning blog, figureskatingetc.com.
