Eddie Shipstad Continues the Shipstad Tradition:
In 1936, Eddie Shipstad's grandfather, Eddie H. Shipstad, started Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies. That ice show was the first traveling ice show in the world. Today, the younger Eddie Shipstad is the owner of Shipstad Entertainment, which is a full-scale ice show production company.
Young Eddie Shipstad - Competitive Figure Skater:
Shipstad trained in Los Angeles and in Colorado Springs. His coaches included Frank Carroll, Barbara Roles, Carlo Fassi, Christa Fassi, Rubin Huron, and Christy Krall. He qualified for the U.S. National Figures Skating Championships five times. He won a medals at the national and collegiate levels. He is a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist in figures and frestyle.
Ice Show Star:
After his amateur figure skating career, Eddie toured as a principle solo skater with Disney's World on Ice. During his time in the show, he toured the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Japan.
Skating Director:
From 1999 through 2004, Eddie was the Director of Skating for the University of Denver Ice Arena.
Figure Skating Coach:
Eddie began coaching figure skating in 1991. He is a member of the Broadmoor Skating Club and is a Master Rated coach in Freestyle with the Professional Skaters' Association. He teaches freestyle, choreography, and Moves in the Field.
Pole Jump Harness Expert:
One of Shipstad's specialties is being able to coach students while using the moving pole jump harness. The pole harness is a unique invention which has almost become a necessity for figure skaters. National and world competitors have worked with Eddie on the pole jump harness. Unlike the traditional jump harness, the pole harness moves with the skater anywhere on ice.
About Shipstad Entertainment:
Shipstad Entertainment produces corporate ice shows, holiday parties, and new product launches. The shows are choreographed by Simone Grigorescu and feature lighting designs by Peter Jackson from Las Vegas. The lighting used is some of the best in the business. The shows incorporate over 70 moving light fixtures and the lights are choreographed to the five group numbers and 6-8 solo routines. The shows can be "made to order". The shows can also include ballroom or Irish step dancing, musical groups, ice sculpturing artists, or skating musicians.
Famous Skaters Who Have Performed in Shipstad's Shows:
Some of the figure skating champions who have performed in Shipstad's shows include Ryan Bradley, Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, Kurt Browning, Rachael Flatt, Emily Hughes, and Anita Hartshorn and Frank Sweiding.
Charity Work:
In 2008, Shipstad Entertainment decided to donate its time to Blades for the Cure, a charitable organization. The goal of Blades for the Cure is to use the talents of national and international figure skaters to raise funds to help figure skating families in need.
More About Eddie Shipstad's Family:
Shipstad's father managed the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs and the Blue Jay Ice Castle figure skating training center in Lake Arrowhead, California.
Eddie Shipstad's wife, Kelly, was a Sectional Competitor. She is a double gold medalist in figures and freestyle, and she toured with the Ice Capades and Disney's World On Ice. She was also a US Figure Skating National judge and was trained in the International Judging System. She is currently a coach that specializes in singles, choreography, and moves-in-the-field.
Their daughter, Katie was born in 1996. She is a two-time Junior National competitor, once in pairs and once in dance. She won the 2008 Southwesterns Regional Pre-Juvenile Ladies division.
Their son, Tyler, was born in 1993. He is a hockey player who has played with the Bantam AAA Hockey Team with the Colorado Thunderbirds. He travels to Canada every summer to train and compete with Team Northwest in Canmore and then participates in the Calgary Stampede Tournament.
