What "words of wisdom" do you have for boys who are interested in figure skating?
I love all types of skating. I was a hockey player before I was a figure skater. It's the joy of gliding on the ice that gives me great pleasure.I do figure skating workshops especially for boys. I tell boys who want to figure skate the following: "If you like skating, explore all ways to skate." For example, I enjoy rollerblading in addition to ice skating. I also tell boys the following: "If you like figure skating, don't let peer pressure or outside influences stop you."
My seven year old son recently saw a kid skating in hockey skates and wondered why the kid would want to wear such "weird skates." He said, "Why would he want to wear those? He can't do any cool tricks in them..."
Why did you choose figure skating instead of hockey?
I did both disciplines at first, but when I was about sixteen years old, it was obvious that I was destined to be a figure skater. I was really too small to "make it" in hockey.I still like putting on my hockey skates. Whenever I have them on, I feel like I'm on a vacation!
What do you think figure skating does to help with life in general?
If you can stand in the center of an ice rink doing something that perhaps your mother made you do, then everything that follows in life is easier. Figure skating is hard. If you can persevere at figure skating, you can do anything!Do you still have opportunities skate or perform on in-line figure skates PIC® Skates?
PIC® Skates are a greatest product! I used to be able to do double Axels and even triple toe loops in those skates! How cool it was to do what I can do on the ice on dry land! I couldn't really spin in them though. I only did two foot spins. I'm going to get a new pair of PIC® Skates soon. I skated in a stage play of Peter Pan on PIC® Skates!How did your children's book "A is for Axel" come about?
I received a phone call asking me to write A is for Axel. It was so much fun to write. My wife is a ballet dancer. She's in the midst of finishing B is for Ballet, which is very similar to my A is for Axel book.Why should ice skating fans go to see Smucker's Stars on Ice 25th Anniversary Tour?
I'm IN THE SHOW! That's a great reason to go!...This year's show celebrates Stars on Ice's 25th Anniversary. It's a really special show because of that. Also, having recent Olympic medalists with us like Evan Lysacek and Joannie Rochette bring a freshness to the show. "Katia" Gordeeva is our "queen!" Ice dancers Tanith and Ben just rock on the ice! Olympic pair skating champions Jamie Salé and David Pelletier skate with much expression and emotion. Michael Weiss and Sasha Cohen are also great performers.
We have fun together and all get along! There are no "bad apples" in our cast. That is the most important thing. There is much interaction with the audience. Even the show's founder and producer Scott Hamilton "Skypes in" for every performance!
