My father was a true ice-skating
pioneer. In a 2018 interview, Scott Hamilton said, “Michael Kirby basically invented learn to skate.” To me, this is a compliment to both my dad and the ISI because without the ISI my father’s teaching methods may have never taken hold.
My career took a turn in 2003, when
the ISU offered me an opportunity to be one of the first technical specialists in the new International Judging System. I finally felt like my father, being a part of an entirely new system in our sport. I participated in many meetings around the world as the ISU came up with new ways to measure progress in figure skating. It was a huge honor for me to serve at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino as one of the first Olympic technical specialists. I finally made it to the Olympics, which my father had said would happen based on the foundations built through my involvement with the ISI. Again, my father was right.
Inventors of... PERFECT ICE
More than 60 years ago, there were
approximately 100 mechanical ice rinks in America (mostly on the East Coast) and of those only a few were open year- round). Today, there are more than 2,000 rinks in the United States with most open year-round. I think the ISI can take much credit for the remarkable growth of our industry since 1959.
At the first Chicago ISI(A) Conference,
the pioneers decided the best course for developing a solid repeat customer base was to encourage skating schools and public sessions that focused on safety and having fun.
A few years ago, I partnered with
Olympic champion Charlie White in producing a promotional ice skating video with the goal of highlighting people having a fun experience while learning to skate. Te video, entitled “Galleria Ice Skating School,” can be viewed online on the
galleriaiceskating.com homepage. (I think we captured the ISI vision well!)
Today’s industry visionaries include
ISI President Rob McBride, the ISI Executive Committee, ISI Managing Director Liz Mangelsdorf, the ISI district representatives and all the hard working and dedicated ISI staff. Tese are the pioneers for the next 60 years, and I know my father is very proud of the continued great work and services the ISI continues to provide. (Tank you, ISI.)
(Editor’s Note: David Kirby is the
owner of Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center. He is the son of the late Michael Kirby, one of ISI’s founding fathers, who developed the Michael Kirby Skating Schools in Chicago. ISI’s learn-to-skate program, the first standardized learn- to-skate curriculum in the United States, was made possible through the efforts and dedication of Michael Kirby.
Setting a new industry standard in... ENERGY EFFICIENCY • ICE QUALITY • TOTAL RELIABILITY
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