When Santa Fe Skating Club president Tammy Berendzen received a generous donation from the family of a long-time special needs club member, it came with only one stipulation. Part of the money was to begin an adaptive skating program.
And Berendzen was only too happy to do just that.
“It meant so much to me,” Berendzen said. “I have spina bifida. I use a wheelchair. So it’s so special to have this as part of our program now.”
The club immediately began building its new skating program, scheduling classes as part of its Learn to Skate classes because of the availability of coaches and ice time.
Then coach Teri Moellenberg jumped on board.
“I have a background working with independent living and group homes in Arizona,” Moellenberg said. “So I had a background working with special needs. I said, “Let’s create a fun, entertaining, and full-of-color program.”
The club purchased new and different colorful apparatus, such as basketball hoops, beach balls and soft hockey pucks the skaters could push around.
Basketball, bowling and tossing beach balls over a net were part of the fun. Corn hole and ring toss were also added, and skaters can try them all or stay at one station. Whatever they prefer.
“We try and change it up a bit, but I believe the skaters like what they like and find what they like, so you want to give them that comfort zone,” Moellenberg said.
After a few weeks, coaches begin to add skating skills.
“For instance, in front of a station, we may ask them to swizzle to the basketball hoop or dip down to the bowling pins,” Moellenberg said. “That’s when it’s so wonderful to see the skaters’ progression. Everyone uses adaptive walkers. We want them to be as independent as possible.”
The program has six skaters and is on summer hiatus but will return for fall skating. Berendzen said a goal is to hopefully add it to the summer 2024 skating schedule.
Berendzen advertised the program through flyers, through their public school system and they were also featured in a small spot on a local TV station.
“It’s been so successful from the start,” said coach Marcella Ortiz. “You’re offering something so unique. A parent sees their child overcome a challenge, and these kids can show off a skill. They step on the ice and realize how much fun it is.”
Ortiz also coaches one of her adaptive skaters with private lessons.
“Having these students on the ice because they love it so much,” Ortiz said. “They’ll be even more prepared for the fall.”
Berendzen is thrilled about the program’s acceptance within the club and beyond and sees the program growing by leaps and bounds next year.
“I think we can grow two of our skaters into a coach and volunteer this fall,” Berendzen said. “We have some wonderful older skaters who work with our Learn to Skate program and can come in and help.”
For Ortiz and Moellenberg, the new program provides some extraordinary moments.
“When the skaters finally let go,” Ortiz said. “They let go of your hand and realize they’ve accomplished something significant.”
“It’s a safe environment,” Moellenberg said. “Here, they are safe to be who they are, and they are creating relationships with the coaches and each other. By the fourth week, they start interacting with each other. Just making friends is so important because they always get that positivity.”
For Berendzen, who also volunteers, the new program is building community.
“I believe in the hashtag of U.S. Figure Skating,” Berendzen said. “Skating is for everyone. Everyone should be able to feel what it’s like to glide on the ice. We are a very open and welcoming club, and it’s our joy to reach out to an underserved part of our community. I hope we can eventually give these kids the skills to go out and skate for fun.”
She also encourages other clubs to consider designing an adaptive skating program.
“It doesn’t take a lot of resources,” Berendzen said. “Even if you can meet the needs of just a few skaters at a time. It’s such a neat thing to do.”
