“The very first time I went skating as a child, it was outdoors on a pond … and I fell and broke my elbow,” not a promising beginning for future Canadian champion Lynn Nightingale.

Lynn was born in Edmonton but it wasn’t until the family moved to Vancouver Island that Lynn’s skating adventure began. “According to my Mom I was a bit older starting out. At the suggestion of a neighbour, Mom enrolled me in the Victoria SC to get me out of the house.” Lynn admits, “I was too high maintenance … and my Mom probably needed a break!”

Photo Credit: Digital Archive Ontario

From what Lynn recalls of those early days on the ice, she could skate from her very first step. It was long before the CanSkate program but the club did have a badge system which Lynn took to immediately. In her first group lesson she was challenged to do a Bunny Hop over the blue and red lines. Having no idea what that even was, she hurled herself into the air taking off and landing on two feet … no problem.

Lynn loved skating right away.

Not only was she blessed with ankles that didn’t roll in, she was also able to avoid any of the other physical and equipment challenges most young beginners faced. And her progress was FAST, so much so that she got noticed by the club coach, World Dance Champion, Jean Westwood, who went to Lynn’s parents to propose private lessons. “She actually seemed to think I had some talent … I was in deep right from the beginning.”

Four years later the family moved to Ottawa with Lynn joining the Minto Club to continue investing in her love of skating. “The situation at Minto was like everywhere in the country outside of a few major centres like Toronto or Montreal; the club and its skaters travelled all over the city to get enough ice time and coaching.”

Photo Credit: Library and Archives Canada

This also included her summers. Lynn says, “I was trained by the best!” Wherever she could get expert coaching, be it in St. Thomas in western Ontario where she met lifetime friend Ron Shaver, Lake Placid, Banff, or Toronto, Lynn was hungry for more.

Finally her parents stepped in. Lynn’s skating was becoming expensive. Either she had to get serious about it or they’d be having a different conversation.

At her first Canadian Novice Ladies event, she was 11 and remembers that when she arrived she could only do an Axel, Double Salchow and Double Toe … but by the time she left a few days later she could do a Double Loop, Double Flip and Double Lutz. “I just followed everyone else around and copied them.” She thought the possibilities were endless.

Lynn became dedicated in her commitment. Two years in Novice, 3 years in Junior and then at age 16, her first year in senior, she was 3^rd behind soon-to-be World Champion Karen Magnussen. Things began to change as her reputation as one of the world’s finest free skaters grew. The next year she was Canadian Champion!

Photo Credit: Olympic.ca

Reflecting on her rise in the sport, Lynn realized that having the Minto Club’s rich history in her skate bag was a real asset. “Just mention the name Barbara Ann Scott … she was Ottawa’s girl … never to be forgotten! And despite the fact the club had no real home base, the Minto atmosphere was a little huffy-puffy. You felt like it was a place that commanded attention.” Remarkably, the city offered fantastic support too. In addition says Lynn, “Although Ottawa was still considered a small town at the time, it was a spectacular place to grow up and an amazing place to represent.”

Photo Credit: Digital Archive Ontario

Lynn loved the skating family. Whether at her local club, at events or on world tours, her competitors were her friends and, in fact, she still connects with many of them today on FaceBook. This year on International Olympic Day, Lynn’s account was vibrating!

It makes sense … they all share a similar history. “They were the people who saw the hard work. They saw the sacrifices.” Lynn remembers, “Like me, they were at the rink from 6 in the morning till 6:30 at night. They knew at school why I was starving at 9 am. My skating friends were always there for me, and when I needed it, they lifted me up.”

Those friends were Lynn’s secret weapon. “I was surrounded by people who understood.”