By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Citizens of Pelham were able to experience the thrills and joys of ice skating at a fun, family-friendly event on Saturday, Jan. 4.

The Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena hosted Get Out & Skate Day, an event for both experienced skaters and those lacing up skates for the first time. The event saw record turnout, with hundreds of Pelham citizens young and old hitting the ice.

The record success of the event can be attributed, in part, to its architect Christian Newberry who serves as the director of skating at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Newberry possesses an extensive background in the world of ice skating.

“I was British Figure Skating Champion and a World Figure Skating Championship skater myself, and I have coached skaters to the World Championship level,” Newberry said. “I moved back to the USA (Alabama) last year with my son (Graham, also a British Figure Skating Champion). We visited Pelham for a job interview and just loved it here. Now my other son (Jack) has also moved here with his wife Harriet, and they are both International-level competitors as well.”

Newberry explained the concept behind Get Out and Skate Day, and the programs it entails.

“Get Out and Skate Day is run as a part of the United States Figure Skating program to let people try out skating by offering free skating, beginner lessons and skating demonstrations,” Newberry said. “It was hosted by the skating school and the Birmingham Figure Skating Club.”

Newberry believes the event is so successful because it is easily accessible.

“It’s just a great way to try figure skating in a more controlled environment, if you like it then we offer lots of programs to take you to the next level,” Newberry said.

Those looking for next-level skating got a taste of professionalism at the beginning of the event.

“We started with a few show skates from local club skaters, and then a few spin and jump demonstrations from coach Harriet and coach Graham,” Newberry said. “Not many people have seen triple jumps up close so it was a real thrill to see that, then everyone got a beginner lesson from our coaches.”

After the demonstration, participants took to the ice in a free 30-minute group lesson on the basics of ice skating. An open skating session followed to end the day’s activities. All of the events were free with the exception of a $2 skate rental fee.

“The benefits to skaters trying this for the first time was the help from our coaches and all the club volunteers that came out to help to give them the right start on how to skate,” Newberry said.

Following the session’s conclusion was the beginning of the 2025 Learn to Skate program on Monday, Jan. 6. The eight-week session includes instruction, skate rental and eight free public skate passes.

“Our Learn to Skate program is for skaters young and old,” Newberry said. “Kids start as young as two and up to any age, we teach you how to skate to begin with and then you can move to figure skating or hockey.”

The program itself has two levels, according to Newberry.

“Once you advance past the basics we have an Aspire program which leads into competitive skating,” Newberry said.

While Newberry’s skating program has put on impressive events in January, he still believes there is room for growth and is not resting on his laurels.

“Pelham has some of the highest qualified coaches in the whole Southeast United States, and we are currently trying to build our program with the goal of being the best training center in the South,” Newberry said.

While Newberry is meticulous in how he teaches figure skating, he remains committed to the basic essence of skating: to have fun while doing it.

“To begin with the most important thing about skating is enjoying to skate,” Newberry said. “If its hockey or figure skating it gets harder the higher you go, so you have to make it fun. I love to teach, and I hope it shows. No matter where I’m teaching it’s always a thrill to watch skaters advance from the first steps to landing triples, winning medals or doing ice shows. It’s all fun to teach.”

To learn more about how to get involved in skating with the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, visit Pelhamciviccomplex.com.