This blog is a collection of my thoughts and experiences from ten years as a skate dad. For those of you sitting with your jackets in the bleachers, first I salute you, but second I want to give you an honest sense of what you are in for and what to expect. Ice skating is both a trying and a glorious sport, but it doesn't happen without the special group of folks who cheer, support, and console the participants. This is dedicated to you.


Thursday, December 24, 2020

- blogging

Just so you're not worried, L.A. SkateDad is still here in the sunshine doing fine. Semi-retirement dispenses plenty of boredom and traipse; under normal circumstances I'd be watching more skating. With the pandemic raging though, skate watchings seem to be out of the question. It's certainly one of the tougher things I've missed.

It's difficult for me to write about skating though without frequently seeing it in person. An occasional YouTube videos is a drop of glycerin I suppose, but a video doesn't hold my interest nearly as much as in-person spectating. So for now my blogging is quiescing.

I have a lot of respect for those athletes and their coaches who continue along in their training regimen. Arts and athletics doesn't stop. But as far as I can tell local competitions have vanished, which I suppose is perfectly understandable, as safety comes first.

Before the pandemic struck, my viewing interests were changing (or rather widening) to include synchro and non-competitive small ensemble groups. It'll be pleasant to post about these once skating competitions resume.

I remember reading when this whole thing started that most pandemics burn out after about two years. Hopefully then in about another year or so things will calm down and once again local events will host spectators. Until then I'm afraid L.A. SkateDad is in hiatus taking a brief respite for now. Everyone stay safe, healthy, and in shape.