A Figure Skating Family :
Sharon, Mark, and Ethan Crowe are an ice skating family. Sharon is an adult figure skater, Mark is an adult who enjoys skating with his family, and young Ethan is an aspiring young figure skater.
Birthdays:
Ethan - March 16th, 1998
Sharon - October 27th, 1961
Mark - December 5th, 1963
Hometown:
The Crowes live in Canada, in a small town just outside of Toronto. To the north of Toronto is Barrie, where the renowned Mariposa Figure Skating Club is situated.
How Ethan Began Skating:
When Ethan entered kindergarten, Sharon was fortunate enough to stay home with him, so she kept him busy in the afternoons, by enrolling him in library groups, play groups and of course skating lessons geared to preschoolers. It was just one afternoon a week, but he did so well, that the skating club suggested he join more regular classes and enter the CanSkate program.
How Sharon Began Skating:
Sharon stepped in and offered to skate on the same sessions as Ethan so he would feel confident and secure. She tried skating and loved it. Sharon has Ethan to thank for turning her into a figure skater.
Sharon writes: "If it weren't for Ethan, I would not be figure skating today."
How Mark Began Skating:
About a year after Sharon and Ethan began skating, Mark decided to buy himself some figure skates and give it a try. He thought it would be a great way to get some physical activity and spend some quality time with his family as his job is very demanding and he works very long hours.
Skating Schedule:
Ethan has gradually been adding more days to his skating schedule. His parents wanted to make sure he was "hooked" on figure skating before his schedule was increased. Ethan skates five days a week and he's on the ice for about 5 1/2 hours each week. As time goes on, his time on the ice will continue to increase.
Sharon does group lessons, private lessons, and individual practice time and is on the ice for a total of eleven hours a week.
Mark skates once a week on Saturdays.
Goals:
Of course, Ethan would like to compete at the international level, but his parents would be pleased if Ethan continues to figure skate and pass all the tests and become a proficient skater.
Sharon's goals, since she has no music or dance background, is just learning to keep the rhythm as she skates. She would like to be able to put together a program with music and to do it well. She'd like to test with Skate Canada and earn her Preliminary FreeSkate designation.
Mark and Sharon attended an adult skating week in Lake Placid and would like to attend and try out some ice dance weekends.
More About Ethan's Skating:
Ethan also plays hockey. He can outskate all the boys on his hockey team. Ethan kept it a secret for awhile before he told his hockey coach that he was actually a figure skater. Thanks to figure skating, he is able to fit right in with the other boys who have been playing for a long time because he is such a good figure skater.
Life Outside of Skating:
Mark Crowe is a land developer/builder. Sharon Crowe is a stay-at-home mom. Two older children are also part of the Crowe family. One child did not want to skate and the other did skate and completed the CanSkate program.
Mark is a university graduate in business from Ryerson University located in Toronto, and Sharon is a graduate as a court stenographer from a college in Philadelphia. Later she changed careers, and attended York University in the Toronto area, and became a property manager.
More From Sharon Crowe:
- 'I want to share the fact that it takes a positive attitude, good work ethic, and a passion for figure skating in order to advance as an adult figure skater. Even though Ethan and I joined figure skating at the same time, and he now has his axel, and some double jumps; whereas, I am working hard to complete my single jumps, I am very proud of where my figure skating has taken me in a short period.
Part of my successs is due to the fact that I was so lucky to find a supportive and dedicated coach (with a lot of patience) who ran an advanced lady's figure skating group. The group I joined were composed mainly of those who had skated as children, or had been skating for quite some time as adults. They accepted me into their group even when I could barely do crosscuts. These ladies were all doing jumps and spins at the time I joined. I remember I was so naive when I started figure skating, as I told all that I didn't want to learn to jump or spin, but just learn how to figure skate.......really, what is figure skating all about? I find jumping so much fun today!
I have a long way to go still, but I try to remember the little saying goes like this, "The Journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a Single Step."
I hope you enjoyed reading about Ethan and my adventures and experiences into the world of figure skating!'
