Above, Members of the The Skating Club of New York wrap up their season with a show at Wollman Rink.
By Troy Schwindt
U.S. Figure Skating moved the needle to the right once again with a record membership season.
For the third consecutive year, total membership and Learn to Skate USA® membership broke records. Seven membership and skating programs, in fact — total membership, Learn to Skate USA®, high school, collegiate, Excel, synchronized skating and National Showcase — celebrated record numbers for the 2023–24 campaign.
U.S. Figure Skating reported a milestone total membership of 246,213. Also, for the first time since 2009, the organization’s full membership (total of all categories except Learn to Skate USA®) surpassed 60,000, with 60,405.
“It is incredibly exciting to witness the continued growth in membership and increased participation across our skating programs,” Susi Wehrli McLaughlin, senior director of membership at U.S. Figure Skating, said. “We've focused on expanding the base with Learn to Skate USA®, and now we see these skaters staying with the sport through the development of the Aspire program and with the incredible growth in synchronized skating.”
The Skating Club of New York, one of the country’s oldest clubs (1863), took top honors with the most total members, while The Rinks and Great Park Ice in Southern California, secured top billing with the most Learn to Skate USA® members (more than 4,000).
“Membership growth is not something you turn on and off. It’s something we have developed over our 161-year history as a club.” Terri Levine, executive director of The Skating Club of New York, said.
“It’s also not simply one thing but bringing value, supporting all of our athletes regardless of level or interest, introducing new programs like Aspire and driving awareness and opportunity for our members.” Troy Goldstein, president of the SC of New York, added.
“Skating is for Everyone” is a charge that U.S. Figure Skating has embraced in recent years and its work to be more inclusive and welcoming boosted interest and membership across the board.
Alex Chang, skating director at The Rinks and Great Park Ice, said being able to offer a quality experience to skaters of all levels and aspirations fuels his team.
“It’s also about sharing our love for ice sports in general, between hockey and skating. It’s a big honor to work with the two communities together,” Chang said.
The Hommocks Skating Club in Mamaroneck, New York, hit the ground running as a new member of the Learn to Skate USA® family, registering a new program high 737 skaters.
By providing more opportunities for skaters to stay involved and enjoy skating through school programs like high school teams and collegiate skating, U.S. Figure Skating has created pathways for sustained engagement.
“A big shout out to all our club leaders, program directors, coaches, instructors and officials who continue to foster this growth and to all our valued members, thank you being a part of the U.S. Figure Skating family,” Wehrl McLaughlin said.
More growth is expected next season as 14 clubs received provisional status at 2024 Governing Council: The SC of Boca, Boca Raton, Florida; The Bog SC, Kingston, Massachusetts; ISCC SC of Connecticut, Simsbury, Connecticut; Dream Detroit SC, Detroit; Elevate FSC, East Boston, Massachusetts; Elite Skating Academy, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Gilbert Skating Academy, Gilbert, Arizona; High Altitude SC, Laramie, Wyoming; Livingston Skate Club, Howell, Michigan; Merrill Ice Reflections FSC, Merrill, Wisconsin; SC of Revo Ice, Pittston, Pennsylvania; River’s Edge FSC, Edwardsville, Illinois; Snoqualmie FSC, Snoqualmie, Washington; Southern Minnesota SC, St. Peter, Minnesota.
“These 14 provisional clubs represent an exciting trend of growth in our sport,” Wehrli McLaughlin said. “We are looking forward to working with these clubs and enhancing their members skating experience.”
Editor’s note: A complete recap of U.S. Figure Skating’s record membership year will appear in the Fall issue of SKATING magazine.
