| New season begins for skaters |
By: DAVID HENKE, Staff Writer
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Posted: Friday, September 26, 2008 10:11 pm
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NORTHFIELD — For Carey Tinkelenberg, ice skating is more than just a sport or a way to stay fit. It’s a passion, something that has taught her countless skills on and off the ice.
It’s an approach that Tinkelenberg, a life-long figure skater, has applied to her brainchild, the Northfield Skating School. As the founder and director of the United States Figure Skating-affiliated program, she believes that her comprehensive, integrated approach to skating defines and distinguishes the school.
“Our main philosophy or mission is to build skills and confidence for skating and for life,” Tinkelenberg said. “I think that it’s something that really does set us apart.”
“We’re mentors, we’re role models; we’re not just teaching skating.”
Tinkelenberg started the United States Figure Skating-affiliated program independently in 2005, after coaching private lessons with a small figure skating club while attending class at Carleton College. Under Tinkelenberg’s guidance, the Northfield Skating School has grown prodigiously, expanding from a handful of members and staff in 2005 to roughly 130 skaters and more than 20 staff members three years later. This season, the program is expanding its class listing as well; thanks in part to a series of collaborations with the Northfield YMCA and the Northfield Dance Academy, among others, the skating school is offering a number of new classes and events throughout its two seasonal sessions.
Both Tinkelenberg and Northfield Skating School Assistant Director Kittle Evenson believe the school’s growth has stemmed from the community’s interest, the school’s own dedicated
coaching staff and the close working ties the skating school has with other recreational organizations in Northfield.
The school’s success, Tinkelenbergs says, is something she would never have been able to predict.
“It’s unreal,” she said. “We still have so far to go; we’re still new and we have a lot of big ideas.”
— David Henke can be reached at dhenke@northfieldnews.com or 645-1100.
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