The Talbot Figure Skating Team is celebrating a milestone anniversary. This season launches its 10th year as a recreational figure skating club on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Home ice is located at the Talbot County Community Center and the team is sanctioned by the Ice Sports Industry (ISI). ISI is a nonprofit organization for owners, operators, and developers of ice skating facilities, creator of America’s original learn-to-skate program, and forms the world’s largest recreational ice skating community.
Since organizing in early 2009, the Talbot Figure Skating Team (TFST) has grown into a diverse mixture of passionate and skilled figure skaters and professional skating coaches. TFST is dedicated to preserving quality figure skating in Easton and its surrounding areas while keeping a connection to its roots. Credit for their successful start a decade ago is given to founding member Kim George and her love of the sport and desire to share it with others.
The team continues to support Kim’s vision and its enthusiasm is nurtured each year through welcoming new skating members and coaches. New members are educated about the vast skating opportunities available and guided by the seasoned members’ past experiences and growing knowledge alongside the team’s professional coaching staff. TFST supports all ages and levels of skaters and abilities for recreational fun, as well as offering opportunities to participate in local shows, district competitions, and even national/international competitions.
As the 2018-19 season gets underway, members are reminiscing about the years of teamwork and vision and are proud of their growth and excited for where the next decade will lead. In 2009, the team hosted 20 members, one synchronized skating team and attended just one local competition. The TFST membership has now developed to more than 50 skaters and professionals and five synchronized skating teams. Participants represent five of Maryland’s Upper and Mid Shore counties, as well as the State of Delaware. The figure skaters’ skill levels span from beginner/recreational to higher competitive levels and ages range from 4 to 40 plus. Skaters annually participate in about five local competitions, as well as several ISI district and national competitions each season.
Most recently, the National ISI Conference Championship was held in Odenton, and there were 29 skaters and two synchronized skating teams represented by TFST. By winning an impressive number of gold, silver, and bronze medals in individual events, as well as both a gold and a silver in the synchronized events, TFST was able to take fourth place in overall points at this national competition. In January 2019, TFST is looking forward to hosting its Ninth Annual Talbot Classic and anticipating that more than 150 skaters will attend from Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. in this two-day event.
TFST is excited about the next decade of shows and competitions and welcoming new friends. The team continues to encourage new members of all ages and skill levels with a passion for figure skating to join their celebratory 10th season. A full agenda of skating related activities is planned, including a Disney on Ice show field trip to Baltimore, holiday parties and celebratory membership meetings at the rink, participation in Easton’s Olde Tyme Holiday Parade, skater spotlights, two home ice shows (the “Holly Jolly Holiday” Winter Exhibition and the annual Spring Exhibition), the always exciting Talbot Classic competition, supporting five synchronized skating teams, and hosting a new synchro competition event in the spring.
To meet and ask questions of the team’s board, professional coaches, and current members, families are encouraged to attend this season’s Annual Open House. This event is for both new and returning team members and will be held at the Talbot County Community Center rink on Sunday, September 9. The TFST’s annual Synchronized Skating Team clinic and assessments on ice will be held on Sunday, September 23. All skaters are welcome to attend assessments to possibly be placed on a synchronized skating team. Teams are formed by following ISI’s ‘Participation, not Elimination’ model where skaters are placed on teams first by age range, then by skating ability to form the most cohesive competitive group of skaters for the current season.
To learn additional details, to explore volunteering opportunities, or to become a sponsor of the team, visit www.talbotfigureskatingteam.org or send an email to info@talbotfigureskatingteam.org.
