Winter is coming and City of Nanaimo’s parks and recreation department says you’re never too old to skate.
The city offers numerous skating programs, including an adult leisure skating session from 10-11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Frank Crane Arena, with a senior session taking place Tuesdays. Stacey Paterson, city arenas program leader, said there are many benefits to skating.
“Well certainly, it’s great fitness that works out the whole body,” said Paterson. “I think what we see here are a lot of people that are very interested in staying healthy, most of them are retired or older. We have examples of many that are in their 80s that are actually coming into our program for free now, because they’re over 80, as old as Sandy (Smith), who’s 94, and I think that’s a great example of being fit for life.”
Paterson said there are a variety of skill levels, including older people who have never skated before, and there are a lot of lessons for adults that are popular such as Monday and Thursday evenings and Friday mornings.
“We have everything from a beginner, that has never been on the ice before, to ex-skaters. For instance, on Friday morning I teach an adult advanced figure skating class and ice dance class, so we do have everything from ‘never stepped on the ice before,’ to those former skaters that are coming back and wanting to continue skating later in life,” said Paterson.
Smith said he had knee surgery a few years ago and it affects his skating, necessitating the use of a skate training aid. There are other benefits to skating besides the physical, he said.
“I’ve played a lot of hockey,” said Smith. “I’ve always enjoyed skating and also the camaraderie. Meeting the people, talking to people. You’re with people and it helps you a lot.”
Peggy Olson, a participant at the Frank Crane Arena skating sessions, has prior experience teaching skating for 32 years and, like Smith, said there is a social component.
“It’s really good for everybody, it’s a good form of exercise and I always like to think the germs will get frozen in the rink,” Olson said with a laugh. “We’re a healthy bunch and this particular group is very cohesive, it really becomes a group. A lot of them have been coming, probably, for 10 years … [it] becomes a big sense of caring, of belonging. If someone isn’t here for a couple of times, somebody’s phoning to check and make sure everything’s OK.”
And for those who get good on their skates, there are also hockey stickhandling classes offered by the city.
Paterson encourages people, older people in particular, to observe a class before signing up.
“Come out to a lesson,” said Paterson. “Come out and watch especially on a Friday morning, where we have half the ice that is geared to more of a beginner-intermediate level. So come out and maybe watch beforehand … I’m certainly available to talk all the time about any of our programs.”
For more information, please see the parks and rec activity guide, available at all recreation centres and online at www.nanaimo.ca.
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