First Meet of the 2006-2007 Season

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-09-17T16:07:04Z

The first South Florida Speed League meet will be held on October 15, 2006 right here at our own rink.

Don't Forget Your Tennis Shoes!

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-08-24T12:16:28Z

Don't forget to wear comfortable running or tennis style sneakers to practice. You won't be able to take part in the full training workout without them!

New Season

Harry@southfloridablades.com (Harry Stuart) — 2006-08-10T12:40:00Z

Practice begins next Tuesday (Aug. 15th)!
Practices will only be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the beginning of the season.

An organized outdoor practice will also be added to that schedule shortly. See you soon!

GO BLADES

HARRY

Realizing your dreams

Harry@southfloridablades.com (Harry Stuart) — 2006-07-24T18:20:00Z

Well....it's over...and I'm still pinching myself to see if it was all just a dream. Can you believe it....3rd in Juvenile girls (with a 1st year Juvenile); 4th in a relay which just 4 short weeks ago struggled to pull out a 3rd at Regionals AND the ELEMENTARY GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPION!!! It really takes my breath away. The Wall of Champions will be expanding very soon and I have a funny feeling it will just be the start of the Blades resurgence! More than a few tears were shed this week. Not because of the winning. Lots of skaters win. It's not really about the winning it's all about the refusal to quit. The refusal to get down on yourself when everything isn't going your way. The determination to come back and live out your dreams and your goals. If I were any more proud of Courtney and Chelsea I would bust! In closing, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the proudest moment I have ever had as a skater or as a coach. That moment came at the conclusion of the awards ceremony for Elementary girls. When Courtney went up to each of her competitors on the awards stand and gave them one of her roses. This unprompted, spontaneous act of sportsmanship was the greatest single thing that I have ever experienced in this sport and for that I will always owe her a debt of gratitude. Yes, it's over, for now. The quest begins again in three weeks. Getting to the top is one thing.....staying there is another....but I have NO doubt that with the character that these two girls have demonstrated that staying on top will become common place.

GO BLADES!

HARRY

Congratulations Girls!!!!

kelli@southfloridablades.com (Kelli Lee) — 2006-07-20T17:28:00Z

I am so happy for both of you! You both have worked so hard, you deserve everything you have coming to you and more. Chelsea don't worry girl you'll get em next year. Hannah Banana, I bet if the cha cha slide was on those girls wouldn't have stood a chance! Well have fun, kick butt in the 2 lady, T.S. representin in the 2 mix! Miss you all.

Kelli

Long Distance Semi-Finals

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-19T12:03:00Z

Courtney took 2rd place in her 700M semi-final and will be skating her final a little bit after 2:00 this afternoon. Chelsea took first in her semi and will be skating around 3:00pm. I will update after the races!

An exciting night at Nationals!

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-19T00:12:00Z

We had lots of exciting moments during sprint night! Courtney took 4th place in her 300M final and is still in first place in points. Chelsea dominated her race and took first place putting her in the points lead!

Long race semi-finals will be tomorrow morning. I'll update again soon!

Short Distance Heats

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-17T22:53:00Z

Courtney and Chelsea both made it out of there short distance heats. They will both skate in their semi-final first thing tomorrow morning.

Hannah skated her short distance heat, but didn't make into the final. She was smiling when she came off the floor and said, "Mom, I finished my race and didn't even fall!"

I posted some pictures of the trip on my Flickr site. You can check them out here.

Chelsea takes 2nd in the 300M

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-17T17:06:00Z

Chelsea skated a great race and took second place in her 300M race. Way to go Chelsea!

Courtney takes first in the 500M

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-17T17:04:00Z

Courtney earned 30 points by taking first in the 500M race. GO BLADES!

Day 1 - Sunday, July 16, 2006

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-16T21:48:00Z

The girls skated their first races this afternoon. Hannah's division was the first division to race this afternoon. She did really well, made it through the entire race without falling. She has never had to skate against more than 4 girls and today her race started with 8 on the line. She ran a great start! She didn't make it out of her heat so tomorrow she has a day off.

Chelsea's division skated their 300M race shortly after Hannah skated. Chelsea skated really well and took first in her heat. She will skate her semi tomorrow morning.

Courtney skated her 500M and took first in her heat. She skated very well and her feet weren't hurting at all. Courtney's semi will be tomorrow morning too.

I'll post more after they race again!

a thought.....

CJ@southfloridablades.com (CJ Jones) — 2006-07-12T11:53:00Z

to the BLADES SKATERS : I can't tell you how pleased i am with this years acheivments. a national title will only be the frosting on the cake. you have all trained like champions, and that's what really counts. we have a tremendous core group of skaters. this team reminds me of our team in past years.

tough determined and focused. it goes without saying that you have many ,many former BLADE skaters behind you in your quest for a title. because of this you are never alone. because of your personal excellence and the exploits of those who have gone before you will be known wherever go as a SOUTH FLORIDA BLADE. be proud, strong and courageous you're wearing orange, teal and white.

kelli@southfloridablades.com (Kelli Lee) — 2006-07-11T21:48:00Z

Following in the footsteps of my fellow Team Slacker co co chair I thought I would leave you with something.

" You are never playing an apponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy." - Arthur Ashe

Leave it all on the floor, no regrets! Good Luck Grezch family at Nationals!!!

Kelli co co co chair Team Slacker

" With no power, comes no responsibility"

Anna@southfloridablades.com (Anna Jones) — 2006-07-10T07:46:00Z

YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS YOU NEVER TAKE. I SKATE WHERE THE PUCK IS GOING TO BE, NOT WHERE IT HAS BEEN -- WAYNE GRETZKY

Good luck at Nationals everyone!! You guys are AMAZING skaters and I know you have what it takes to be champions!!!

luv,

anna

#1

Anna Banana!

Important National Information

Andy1491@aol.com () — 2006-07-09T13:47:00Z

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD IMPORTANT FACTS FOR THE 2006 NATIONAL INDOOR SPEED AND FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS