Learn to Skate, Learn to Skate Better

Kim Girard has been skating almost as long as she's been walking. She was born to a pair of professional skaters who taught skating and ice dancing, and began skating herself when she was two-and-a-half years old.

Girard grew up in a skating family, spending many hours and days on the ice at rinks in Canada – one of which her parents managed when she was about five or six years old. As a matter of fact, Girard's mother was on the ice when she went into labor with her. "I guess teaching is in the blood," she says, with a shrug.

Fortunately, Girard has been able to continue the family tradition here in Glasgow with the HiLine Skating (HLS) program.

The program was born in the fall of 2004, when Nancy Braaten approached Girard on behalf of the Valley Event Center and asked if she would be interested in heading a learn to skate program. Girard did, and the program is still going strong today. Girard's seemingly simple goals for the program are for participants to learn how to skate, have fun, and be safe while doing it.

Initially intended to rouse interest in skating and complement the hockey program in Glasgow, HLS has successfully transitioned over 100 students (20 percent) into hockey.

In addition to enhancing the hockey program, HLS has grown into an avenue for much more. Recreational skaters utilize the program to improve their skills, competitive skaters have been able to further their talents with some upper level instruction, and the community has benefitted from some family-oriented entertainment.

HLS offers instruction in several different skill levels, starting with the Snow Plow Sam class for preschoolers and increasing in difficulty through eight levels. Skaters interested in hockey can also sign up for classes that will focus on more specific skills in that area.

Most of the students are age 5-12, but Girard notes that she has had participants as young as two-and-a-half and as old as 60.

Girard can't do it all by herself. Over the years, she's had a number of assistants to alleviate the work load. In the early years of the program, before Snow Plow Sam, Braaten taught the preschool classes, and Lori Dailey has been Girard's right-hand man for several years. Girard explained that Dailey filled some gaps in the program by bringing coaching know-how and a familiarity of working with preschool age children, both of which she lacked personal experience in herself.

Sisters Ryder and Gwynn Simeniuk helped with lessons during the years they were active in the program, and currently, Angie Page and her daughter Ellie, as well as Erika Lopez and her daughter Rachael help out whenever they can.

Since the program's inception, Girard and her assistants have provided instruction to 529 students. "I do it because I love it," says Girard, "and I believe everyone should skate."

In an effort to extend instruction beyond her capabilities, for several years Girard has brought champion skater Avery Bandel to Glasgow to share her experiences and knowledge with HLS students. Bandel claimed the gold medal in the intermediate-novice category at the Adult Championships in Salt Lake City last year and utilizes the Valley Event Center for additional training.

For Girard, Bandel offers private lessons to upper level students and also conducts instructional clinics at the VEC.

Bandel was in Glasgow just last week, getting in some personal training time. "I'm busy coaching at home, so I only get about 15 minutes on the ice at a time," she explained. "I try to get to the rink a little early so I can get on the ice before the kids get there."

During her time in Glasgow, Bandel also works with Ellie Page, who says the sessions can last as long as two hours. "I've got so many blisters, it's unreal," said Page.

Bandel expressed appreciation for the VEC and the board letting her use the facility. "They have been so nice about letting me train here," she said.

Open skating sessions have gained in popularity as well, with sessions typically planned on Sundays and Fridays when hockey games aren't scheduled. Girard mentioned that over the recent Christmas break, 86 people attended one session of open skate, and there were even three generations of one family on the ice at one time. To Girard, this demonstrates the family friendly component of the skating program in Glasgow.

The outlying communities of Opheim, Nashua, Hinsdale, Wolf Point and Frazer are taking advantage of the opportunity to skate, with some area schools even busing students to the facility as a reward for reaching goals in the classroom.

Girard's husband, Norm, helps out by maintaining and sharpening the 180 pair of rental skates used by participants, and the honor society of GHS helps get things ready at the start of each season.

At the completion of each HLS session, Girard reserves a day for a "fun skate", and also hosts a showcase at the end of each session for the participants to display their talents to the community.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the showcase and Girard has some fun things planned for the event.

The showcase will be held at the Valley Event Center March 6 at 2 p.m. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Following the showcase, there will be a "Skate with the Stars" public skate. HiLine Skating families can participate free of charge, while all others can skate for a nominal fee of $2. The $2 fee includes admission and rental of skates.

For questions about the showcase or HiLine Skating, call Kim Girard at 406-228-2370.