Crossovers. Loop jumps. Spirals.
Junior Koori Dement warms up before her practice session.
“You feel very free,” Dement said. “It’s the closest thing to feeling like you’re flying.”
Dement has skated for five years, the first four years in Ohio and Kentucky. The cooler climate of Northern states makes ice-skating a common sport and hobby for residents.
“I love winter sports, and I’m terrible at any sport with a ball, so it was a great alternative,” Dement said.
Dement skates by herself, though she does compete in competitions along with other skaters who take lessons with the same coach. The group prepares productions and perform them for audiences or competitions. Basic level group lessons cost $120 for three months of lessons while private lessons are $1 per minute of coaching.
“It’s not a set-in stone team,” Dement said. “You pay a fee to do a group performance or a solo performance for events and competitions.”
Along with the cost of lessons, Dement buys her own skates. The quality and usage of the skates determine how often a skater will need to replace a pair of skates.
“My new freestyle skates with larger toe picks and ankle support cost $312,” Dement said. “[They] should definitely last at least 2 years with how much I skate.”
Dement skates at the Arkansas Stadium Thursday through Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Along with these practices, she has morning sessions Saturdays at 5 a.m. Her typical practice sessions are three hours long with a half hour to 45 minute morning session. With this dedication, Dement is able to better her abilities.
“A great experience was when I got my split jump,” Dement said. “It’s my favorite jump.”
Dement learned from elite coaches at Northern Kentucky Ice Center and hopes to become a coach one day.
“I always aspired to be in Disney on Ice but I couldn’t stay in it consecutively enough to get up to that level,” Dement said.
When she makes a mistake, Dement does not take it harshly.
“I think it’s hilarious to fall on the ice,” Dement said. “I like to make fun of myself for it.”
Watch a video of Dement ice skating at the Arkansas Skatium.
