Bode celebrates National Skating Month

For over 20 years, U.S. Figure Skating has celebrated National Skating Month and this year’s theme is “The Ice is Calling.” St. Joseph residents answered that call with Bode Ice Arena’s free skating clinic Sunday afternoon.

“I think it’s a really fun experience,” Thea Kaimler, a young skater, said. “And maybe some people would love to ice skate, and maybe they could learn some more tricks.”

“It’s a good way to take care of our bodies and have a good time and share some laughs as a family,” Maryville resident Nathaniel Wemeyer said.

“It teaches you if you, like, fall, try doing it again and again, over and over,” Lillithann Johnson, who’s celebrating her birthday, said.

The clinic covered the basics like stopping, gliding and spins. Regardless of experience or skill, everyone was welcome to discover the joys of ice skating.

“It gives us the opportunity to let everybody know we’re here and for everyone to experience skating,” Bode Ice Arena’s Program Director Christine Feuerbacher said. “It is fun. It’s something nobody else does so it kind of gives you that one up on everybody else.”

For those who haven’t tried it before, ice skating can be intimidating, but the clinic proved that anyone can skate with determination, patience and balance. Organizers hoped the afternoon inspired more people to be courageous and try something new.

“I‘ve always loved this sport since I was six,” Skating Instructor Sophie Kozol said. “And I actually started out and learned to skate here at Bode and I want other kids to have the opportunity to fall in love with the sport, just like I did.”

Bode Ice Arena hosts several public skating sessions each month, as well as lessons in figure skating and hockey. For a complete monthly schedule of Bode’s lessons and public skating sessions, visit the arena’s website at www.stjosephmo.gov/410/Bode-Ice-Arena.