Figure skating must be in Andrea Derby’s DNA.

The National, World and Olympic Official never had big dreams about the major role skating might play in her life when she and her sisters were enrolled for skating lessons as young children.

“I’m one of three sisters,” says Andrea, “so my Mom and Dad were looking for an activity for us. My Mom, Jane, was a former competitor and became a high-ranking skating judge. My Dad, Bill, played hockey, so skating was a natural choice in our family … plus we’re Canadian!”

Andrea’s love for skating was discovered early at age four when she took her first steps on the ice. “It was like learning to fly!”

From that life-changing day at the Oshawa Skating Club … from learn-to-skate, to testing, to competing nationally, to officiating at the Olympic Games … Andrea has cherished every moment.

Although her family encouraged their daughters to participate in all kinds of activities, it was only Andrea who really caught the skating bug.

With time and progress, and with help from her Dad, skating started to become more important. “My Dad taught at Durham College,” she remembers, “and one of his students had just returned from competing at the Olympic Games. My Dad didn’t really understand the situation but when this student spoke about plans to begin coaching skating, he wanted to help her out … so he signed me up for private lessons with her.”

THAT student turned out to be Canadian Pair Champion Anna Forder!

In a relatively short time … and under Anna’s leadership … the Oshawa Club became a hot-bed for pair development. It was a natural fit and a great skating adventure for Andrea and for many others.

“I was 8 years old,” recalls Andrea, “when Anna decided I would be a good candidate for pair skating … so she put me with my first partner, Stan Tisnovsky. I was a pair skater from that moment forward.”

Although Andrea would continue to skate singles, it was pair skating that provided her the greatest inspiration.

“I really didn’t like being on the ice by myself,” she admits. “Maybe it was because I started so young … but sharing the ice and working with someone else was so much more rewarding. I absolutely loved everything about it!”

Some of her most vivid memories come from her days competing.

“I was 10 years old, my first Nationals in Novice Pairs, and thrilled to see all the senior skaters backstage … when Toller Cranston walks by wearing a full-length fur coat! I was in awe! And then I saw Ron Shaver, my favorite skater … he even gave me a rose!”

Another competitive highlight for Andrea came at another Nationals but the experience had nothing to do with winning medals or skating with champions.

“This is going to sound weird,” she says. “It was ’78 Nationals in Victoria … our short program. We had a big crazy terrible fall on a Lasso lift right at the beginning. I did a face plant from the top of the lift … teeth and blood everywhere! But somehow I finished … probably in shock.”

Andrea also remembers spending most of that night in hospital undergoing emergency dental surgery. “But I was back the next day for the free program and thrilled to discover Johnny Esaw and CTV had produced a feature on me … about how tough and brave pair girls have to be.”

Andrea has always appreciated the special talent required to be successful in Pairs. “You have to be able to hold yourself up in lifts on one small balance point while you’re turning and twisting and pulling your leg over your head. That takes enormous strength and control … and trust in your partner.”

Other memories have had an impact too. “I was 10 years old with arms that were ripped and muscular. By the time I got to high school I was given the nickname ‘Pipes’. I didn’t like it back then,” she laughs, “but now I think I’d embrace it.”

However, by the time Andrea was 16, she had competed in Pairs all the way to Senior Nationals when she and her partner split. Nature had intervened … at 5’6” Andrea was considered tall for a pair girl. If she wanted to continue and look for a new partner, the search would likely have taken her away from home, a major move she was reluctant to consider.

“I was never the sort of person motivated by competitive success,” says Andrea. “I never had that drive to be a National or World champion. I just loved going to the rink every day. I loved the training atmosphere. I loved my skating friends … and I had a great experience with all three of my partners.”

She knew it was decision time.

Fortunately Andrea had continued to participate in other sports during her skating career. As a result, the thought of retirement from competition wasn’t quite so scary with other exciting alternatives possible. But one thing was certain … she had no intention of cutting skating out of her life. “I recognized I was still eager to remain involved.”

But how?

Photo Credit: Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club on Instagram

Andrea saw two choices … coaching or officiating.

Thinking about the coaching option, she felt she had no experience with children … had never babysat or been actively involved with young people outside of skating. On the other hand, she had a great role model for officiating. Her Mom’s dedication to skating as a judge and volunteer had clearly made a hugely positive impression.

And to quote Andrea, “Here I am 44 years later!”

During those years, having officiated at every major event, there is one assignment that stands out above all others … Vancouver Olympic Games in 2010.

Not only was it special as a home-grown Games but, for Andrea, the experience reached far beyond the ice rink. She admits to being an Olympic junkie.

“One day on our way to watch practice and caught in a traffic jam, our driver said we were stalled because the torch was going by. I got out and ran … seeing the torch brought me to tears … tears of joy!”

Those same tears became a common thread for Andrea during her stay at the Games. “I cried every day,” she admits. “It was a roller coaster of emotions. Each day was punctuated with incredible events, both sad and exhilarating … the accidental death of a luger during a practice run … the family tragedy when Joannie Rochette’s Mom passed away and Joannie still managed to turn in a medal winning performance … and the thrill of watching Tessa and Scott become Olympic Champions. Those are highlights I will never forget.”

Reflecting on her officiating career, “I’m always mildly terrified when I’m on a panel,” says Andrea. “It’s stressful … and the world is watching … so I don’t want to make mistakes for these athletes.”

Photo Credit: Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame

Andrea continues to work hard to improve and be better every time.

“If you’re not doing this out of love for skating, your experience is going to be miserable,” she states. “For me, each step along the way has fulfilled something in my life. It’s given back to me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.”