Over the course of the next season I hope you’ll join me once a month to welcome home some of Skate Ontario’s most accomplished individuals to discover their early stories and learn how their skating journeys began.

Whether a retired champion or judge, coach or volunteer, these stories probably all started in the same place … at a community rink and at the local skating club.

For most in the skating family there was likely nothing particularly special about that first step on to the ice. But one thing is certain … at that moment they had no idea where the sport would lead them, what joy skating would bring nor how defining it would become in their lives.

And my story is no different.

Photo Credit: Skate Canada

I grew up on a small farm outside the tiny village of Unionville north of Toronto. In those days the big city was very far away. Back then the village looked nothing like the Unionville of today … population 603 … one main street … a two-room schoolhouse … a railroad station … a mill close by … and an antiquated skating rink that eventually became my home away from home.

Like most parents of a 5-year old, my Mom thought it was a good idea to get me involved in some kind of activity. What about the local skating club?

To prepare, she bought me double runner skates. I had all the finery. But despite her encouragement … when she put me on the ice for the first time I was having none of it and stood in the corner crying until she gave up and took me home.

Photo Credit: Skate Canada

A year later after some coaching from my older sister out on the nearby pond, I agreed to try again. Somehow the warm club welcome, the attraction of the music, the potential for movement and creativity, the athletic challenges … it all came together and painted a beautiful picture for me … one which I was excited to explore.

In the years after that leading up to my Olympic adventure, I never felt alone out on the ice. Of course, my wonderful partner, Guy Revell, had my hand firmly grasped in his … but I also felt it was the community of Unionville and the Unionville Figure Skating Club who skated every stroke beside me.

Photo Credit: Skate Canada

There was a unique kind of magic in the village of Unionville, something that also glowed from within the little Skating Club at the Crosby Memorial Arena … an unwavering support and a feeling of confidence which somehow strengthened my soul and encouraged me to believe in myself.

There were many wonderful examples of the power of that community … but one was particularly special.

Guy and I were returning home after competing in Europe at the World Championships … our flight was delayed so we weren’t arriving home till 3 am. As we’re driving along Hwy 7 on our way home from the airport and approaching Unionville, there were two police cruisers with their lights flashing stopped at the side of the road. We were pulled over and both Guy and I were asked to sit in the backseat of one of them. I had no idea what was going on and, honestly, I was a little frightened … until we made it to the main street. With sirens blaring, the cruiser inched its way along so we could witness that every home was lit up like a Xmas tree with families on their front porches cheering and waving to us. At 3 am!

I will never forget how privileged and grateful I felt that night to be representing my club, my community and my country.

For those of us whose early skating experiences originated in small towns like Unionville or perhaps in big cities with state-of-the-art facilities, our local skating club played a pivotal role in our journeys.

Not only did our clubs teach us how to glide on one foot without falling, they also taught us how the deeply positive character of our Ontario clubs and communities inspired us to be the best we can be.

Whether you’re a beginner or an Olympian, think about how your skating story began. I guarantee … it’s like being welcomed home.