Figure skaters taken under Megan’s Wing

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

One of Canada’s greatest figure skaters was in Strathmore over the weekend spreading her knowledge to the up-and-coming batch of Olympic hopefuls in the Strathmore Skating Club.
“I hope these kids have fun today and are able to learn something that they can leave here with and use tomorrow and in their skating going forward,” said figure skating instructor Megan Wing.
Wing took up ice dance at the age of 14. She partnered with Aaron Lowe in 1986 and the two stuck together, wining six bronze medals and four silvers at the Canadian National Championships. They also skated in the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy, where they placed 11th.
“We got lots of positive feedback from the camp. There were about 40 skaters from all over southern Alberta, aged 7-16 (years-old) and the kids were all pretty tired afterwards,” said Tara Watson Shaw, president of the Strathmore Skating Club. “Hopefully we can have another one of these next year.”
It was a full day activity, as Wing took the first group onto the ice at 8 a.m. and wrapped things up just after 3 p.m. with a question period and a chance for autographs.
“We worked on the basic skills today, helping them skate better and perform better,” said Wing. “Whether it’s figure skating, speed skating, or hockey, the kids will be able to use these skills in any ice sport.”
“I thought it was pretty awesome to be on the ice with her,” said 12-year-old Bailey Heath of Cochrane. “She helped me with my posture, bending my knees and staying balanced on my skates.”
The next major event for the Strathmore Skating Club goes Mar. 17, when they host the annual Fire and Ice show at the Strathmore Family Centre. It is a chance for skaters in the club to perform the programs they have been working on all year and will have special guest skater Jane Gray.