Solway Skaters, Skating to Success
Written by author on January 21, 2015
A team of skaters from Dumfries are celebrating after scooping Gold at last weekend’s British Synchronized Skating Championships in Nottingham.
The Solway Stars won the top prize in the ‘Junior ‘section of the 2 day event, and Solway Eclipse matched this achievement by collecting the top prize in the ‘Novice B’ category.
The teams train at the Dumfries and Galloway Council run Ice Bowl in Dumfries. The teams of keen skaters train seven days a week in the Ice Bowl, ranging from 6am starts to later training on week nights. This high level of dedication and hard work paid off on 17-18 January in Nottingham for the Stars and the Eclipse.
The Solway Skating Club has been in existence for a number of years, but their focus on Synchronized Skating began to gather speed in 2010 when a partnership agreement was struck with Dumfries and Galloway Council, enabling the club to access the ice pad daily following development works in the Ice Bowl. Currently, the club has over 70 members who done their blades and take to the ice.
Last weekend’s gold medals are the highest accolade in national skating. Speaking after hearing about the success, Councillor Tom McAughtrie, who is Chairman of the Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee said;
“I wish to record my congratulations to the skating teams on their UK Championships gold medal wins. It is nothing more than the competitors deserve given the time, effort and sacrifice they all make to train, rehearse and compete in Synchronized Skating events. It is also excellent news for the Ice Bowl and for the Council, and shows what can be achieved through partnership working with our local clubs and organisations. In recent months we’ve had curlers from the region winning Olympic medals and Ice Hockey players being called up for Great Britain. It is marvellous to add another cog to that wheel with the success of the Solway Skating Club.”
Tom went on to thank the coaches and volunteers who help with a range of tasks in order to keep the club ticking over. Tom said;
“The work that coaches, volunteers and parents do to facilitate all the training and competitions should be commended. This victory is testimony to their dedication and hard work too.”
The teams will be back on the ice competitively next month, when Dumfries Ice Bowl hosts the prestigious Trophy D’Ecosse. The 3 day event will be held from 6-8 February. For more information on this event see http://trophydecosse.co.uk/news/76 or visit www.dumgal.gov.uk/icebowl
