Interview with Sally Hartwig
Sally Hartwig is a Belgium Adult Skater who started ice skating at the age of two until 15 years old in France and the U.S. She stopped skating for a period of 10 years and started skating again as an adult skater at the age of 30. She continues skating now at the Masters Level in adult events.
She organizes the Dune of Flanders Cup which takes place each year in December, in Dunkerque-France.
Find Sally back on her internet site Euro Adult Skating.
Who are you?
Sally Hartwig, Daughter of Mr.and Mrs Hartwig, previously Ice Skating Teachers in France.
When and how come did you start to skate?
I started skating because my parents simply put me on the ice at the age of two. For me the hours on the ice where just part of my life. I started skating again as an adult when I saw that there was an adult skating competition in 1999 ( the first Mountain Cup ). The skating and the hours spent time training are once again part of my life.
In which skating club do you skate? How is it in the club ?
I skate in Dunkerque, France in Skating Club Dunkerque Patinage. It’s great, and most important is that the Club President is very supportive and has always given me the possibillity to skate on the hours of the competition group with the kids…so that I can have a maximum of hours.
What is the resume of your adult skating career?
Freestyle Category:
Mountain Cup
1999- 1st
2001- 1st
2002- 1st
2003- 1st
2004- 1st
Dune of Flanders Cup
2001- 1st
2002- 1st
2003- 1st
Coupe de l’OMS
2004- 1st
What do you like about adult skating?
The competitions which are a motivation to skate and train. The competitions so that you may regularly see other adult skaters who are also passionate about the ice sport. The friendliness, the creativity, the passion and the seriousness of most adult skaters.
What do you need to work on your skating?
At the moment…I still prefer working on my phisical condition, and the jumps and then the spins. With age, my priorities will have to change I think.
Which material do you use and why?
In skates…I still use Wifa, and in Blades I choose Gold Star. I am happy of their quality.
What is adult skating for you?
My favorite sport.
What is missing in adult skating?
In Europe…adult skating is missing recognition by the federations and their clubs. Many people look at adult skating like a recreational sport and hobby. Maybe there are some skaters who still just like to have fun, however the big majority is very serious about their sport. I have seen adult skating competitions evolve with the years and the levels are rising. If they are rising…it means skaters are working harder, even with a minimum of two to three hours on the ice per week. They get information on mounting a good program, the presentation, the mental preparation, the material, etc.
In which way do you invest yourself in adult skating?
I invest myself by organizing with Club Dunkerque Patinage our own adult skating competition. I work hard, with different organizers of adult skating competitions to convince other responsables that adult skating is active in Europe, and ready to stay! I am working of the development of ice skating tests especially adapted for the adult skater.
How do you see the future of adult skating?
I see it positive…( hopefully will the ISU give it’s support to adults by organizing their own adult skating event in 2005.) If the ISU recognizes adult skating…I believe it will evolve even more rapidly.
Which question is mission in this mini interview? And answer please.
What are the advantages of adult skating to the skating clubs?
Increase in club memberships. With the population of baby boomers who take interest in skating, the clubs who offer programs for adult skaters will see an increase of club inscriptions rise very quickly in the next five years.
A base of adult volunteers. Adult skaters are adults well informed, passionate and loyal towards the sport, and could eventually become members of the club direction, volunteers of the club, assistants, teachers or even officials.
Models. The adult skaters are models for the younger skaters, and can communicate their love of the sport of skating, their devotion, and their work ethics. The younger skaters will see that the sport of skating is a sport they can practice for the rest of their lives…even after 18.