Art meets athleticism in the little-known, yet long admired, lyrical sport of figure skating. Whether for competitive purposes or to prepare for the upcoming holiday season, there are many opportunities, and advantages, for Scituate High students to lace up their skates and hit the arenas, lakes, and ponds around the South Shore.

Competitive figure skating in the US divides into two categories, run by either the International Skating Institution (ISI) or the United States (US) Figure Skating Association.  Serious skaters will begin in ISI competitions, or directly in US competitions, testing in front of a panel of experienced and critical judges.  With hard work, clear drive, and lessons from a professional instructor, few skaters move up to the more difficult Junior and Senior levels; these competitors can be recognized from television broadcasts.

“My favorite figure skater is Michelle Kwan,” said Allie Bankhart, a sophomore who has figure skated for 11 years, and now practices at Hobomock Rink with Pilgrim Skating Club.  It seems even competitive figure skaters adore the notable competitors discussed on the news, even past their debut years. Kwan retired after the 2006 Olympics.

Skaters who compete in the Senior level at Nationals and place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd move onto either Worlds or the Winter Olympics, if taking place.  Seniors skate two programs, a short (approximately 3 minutes), and a long (approximately 4 minutes) program in each competition.  Short programs tend to have more exciting, lyrical tones, while long programs are serious, as the long length of accounts for a greater percentage of the overall score, and leaves skaters drained physically, and sometimes emotionally, as they land their final jumps.

Scoring programs in competitions has changed drastically in the past years due to claims, and eventual conviction, of cheating among the French judges in the 2006 Olympics.  Judges base scores on skating skill, transition, transitions, performance/execution, choreography, interpretation, according to the International Skating Union.

Not everyone can figure skate–even the naturally talented did not begin with triple axels, and still attribute much of their success to their coaches. And the sport is not inexpensive–depending on the rink, lessons can cost anywhere from $15 to $75 per hour, plus the price of a session (one hour) of ice time, dresses, skates, and tights as well.  The family of retired Olympic Silver Medalist Michelle Kwan put a mortgage on the house when Kwan was a teenager in order to allow her to continue figure skating competitively.

There are ways to earn the money needed to pay for lessons, however.  Skaters within Scituate High work at rinks, giving lessons, and in other sporting events to help pay for the costs; some work at competitions and Learn-To-Skate sessions to lessen costs.

Junior Marisa Marshalka has taken skating lessons since age 5 at Rockland Rink, and cannot imagine life without the sport.  Like many competitors, she began skating after her neighbor, and now coach, introduced the sport to her, though her mother and aunt skated as teenagers as well.

“I think people should know it is so much more difficult than it seems. It requires athleticism, strength, work, and at the same time you need to be artistic and show emotion to match your program.  But skating practices and competitions have shown me some of my best friends and memories,” said Marshalka.

Aside from Rockland Rink, nearby ice surfaces offering public ice through the winter include Bavis Rink ( located in Rockland), Hingham Rink, Hobomock Arena (Pembroke), and Greenbush Pond in Scituate.  There are other ponds where towns permit skating, located in various areas.

Most arenas offer equipment and lessons, or take an afternoon to have fun with friends on the ice, with or without correct supplies. Though difficult to master, Scituate High students can take opportunities this winter to learn the sport, and art, of figure skating.