National Skating Month is celebrated every year during the month of January. This month-long holiday is packed with fun events to create awareness and spread the love for skating. U.S Figure Skating and Learn to Skate U.S.A prepare a host of entertaining activities and ideas for organizations to implement every year. Join us as we celebrate all things skating this month!
History of National Skating Month
National Skating Month is mainly sponsored by U.S Figure Skating and Learn to Skate U.S.A. The holiday was created to encourage families and individuals to brave their fears and learn ice skating for the first time. Both organizations offer various programs and ideas for celebrating the month.
In 2021, U.S Figure Skating introduced kits to other organizations. For instance, a $40 kit included four Skating Month posters, a bulletin board kit, a photo booth kit, lip balms, Frisbees, gloves, stickers, sticky notes, zipper pulls, printable activities, online marketing materials, resources, giveaways, and a Q.R. code sign.
As far back as the years before the Christian era, Scandinavian people attached bones to the bottom of their boots to make for easy movement during the winter period. In fact, the word ‘skate’ is derived from the word ‘schaats,’ which means ‘shank bone’ or ‘leg bone’ in Dutch. During the 13th and 14th centuries, wood was used in place of animal bone.
Ice skating moved from being just a means of transportation to an organized sport sometime around 1763 when the first official skating competition was held in England. The first official skating club had been founded prior to that, in Edinburgh in 1742.
Thanks to an American ballet dancer called Jackson Haines, skating went to the next level. He introduced new skating moves and a graceful style of skating. Though at first, his style wasn’t accepted by his fellow countrymen, he succeeded in transforming figure skating into what it is today.
National Skating Month timeline
Paulson becomes the first skater to perform a forward-starting jump.
Figure skating is introduced to the Olympic Games.
Vern Taylor becomes the first person to land a triple axel.
Oliver breaks a world record by spinning at 342 revolutions per minute!
National Skating Month FAQs
Must you wear socks with skates?
It’s very important to wear socks with skates because it prevents you from getting blisters on your feet, gives the skates a better fit, and prevents moisture from building up.
Do you need to wear a helmet while skating?
Unless you’re a skating professional, it’s advisable to wear a helmet while skating.
How cold is it in an indoor skating rink?
The average ice skating rink is about 55º F — 65º F, though this varies depending on the rink.
National Skating Month Activities
Go skating!
Whether or not it snows where you live, indoor skating rinks are available in most areas. If you’re a newbie, take the leap and try learning how to skate. If it’s an old trick in your book, go have some much-needed fun on the rink!
Buy someone ice skates
Use this holiday as an excuse to buy a gift for a friend or loved one. Find out their shoe size and gift them with a pair of lovely skates!
Make a fun post
Ice skating rinks are a breeding ground for fun videos. Make a video of yourself on a skating rink. Whether you look funny, awkward, or elegant, spread the fun of ice skating and inspire others to join in.
5 Interesting Facts About Skating
Skaters spin way too fast
Skaters can spin as many as six times in one second!
Incredible landing pressure
When a skater performs a triple or quadruple jump, the impact their bodies land with is 5 to 14 times their weight.
Skaters can’t dress outrageously
In some skating competitions, judges may deduct points from a candidate whose outfit is considered too provocative.
No vocals allowed
In top-level competitions, skaters are not allowed to perform to music that includes vocals.
Male skaters can’t do this
There is a move called the ‘layback spin’ that male skaters can’t perform because of the level of flexibility required.
Why We Love National Skating Month
It’s just plain fun
We love skating because there’s nothing quite like the feeling of freedom that comes with the speed and smooth glide of skating; nothing as refreshing as the cool breeze that sweeps past as you spin and swirl. Skating is just plain fun, and we love it!
It’s available all year round
Skating is one winter activity that’s available all the time, thanks to indoor rinks. When the heat of summer gets too unbearable, a winter experience can be had in your nearby skating rink.
Learning brings laughter
If you’ve ever skated before, you probably remember the jittery nerves you felt while taking your very first glide. If you fell over again and again, you probably had a good laugh while doing it. Learning to skate puts a smile on your face and the faces of the pros who are laughing at you!
National Skating Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 1 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | January 1 | Thursday |
| 2027 | January 1 | Friday |
| 2028 | January 1 | Saturday |
| 2029 | January 1 | Monday |
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