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Skater Strives For 'Step Beyond'

The NEWS Photo, Tim Halcomb Barbie Smith enjoys Indy's early spring sunshine. Skater Strives For 'Step Beyond' have been struggling desperately to cross the street and move on." She was the Pacific Coast Juvenile Skating Champion 1970, National Novice Champion in 1973 and National Junior Champion in 1974. In 1977, she captured second place in the U.S. Nationals. Then to help inspire "up and coming" champions, Ms. Smith took a three-year break from performing to become a skating instructor. She said this made her aware of the responsibility a teacher has toward her students, especially in helping them to grow as individuals. "Teaching kids gives you the opportunity to watch them grow as skaters as well as people," she said. "Every time I saw them out on the ice, I would see them as 'my children' and feel very responsible for them. "When you are with them anywhere from two to eight hours a day, you have to have some effect on them, and they on you," Ms. Smith explained. "I became like a mother to some, a mentor for others. You had to be able to answer their questions and offer advice when they asked." Ms. Smith's long range goal is to trade her ice skates for sticks of grease paint. Ever since she made television commercials and modeled children's clothes, Ms. Smith has longed to "trip the lights" on Broadway. "Performing is a wonderful form of communication," she said. "It's a kind of reaching out and touching that is quite incredible and almost impossible to describe.' She said skating has helped her tremendously in preparing for her theater career. It has also given her coping skills to handle everyday life. "Most performers - whether they are skaters, swimmers, actors or whatever - are very aware of their bodies," Ms. Smith said. "They are probably more aware than most people about just what their bodies are capable of doing. "They have pushed themselves until they feel they could push no more and have discovered that they could take another step, that they could exceed their limitations and expand their potentials," she explained. "It's a nice feeling of satisfaction that leaves you wanting more - going just one step further all the time." Ms. Smith believes this ability to go "one step beyond" helps athletes and other people attuned to their bodies to better cope with their problems because they are not as likely By LINDA GILLIS If you want to succeed in life, attitude means altitude, said Barbie Smith. No matter how much luck or how many breaks come your way, you'll never get anywhere if you don't believe in yourself. That outlook on life has helped propel the 24-year-old Ms. Smith through impressive amateur and professional skating careers. It has encouraged her to become an accompianist, guitarist and gymnast. It also has enticed her to explore theater and dance. Her 1½ years as s a solo performer for Ice Capades is only one stop on her journey to fulfill the goals she has set for herself. She said the more she does, the more she realizes that there is so much more "out there" to explore. Her contact with people from all over the world during show tours has taught her that everyone has something to offer. "I really respect people who realize that they have a lot to give and give of themselves freely. It's a neat gift," Ms. Smith said. "People who never get to know themselves their potential - can never really achieve what they want out of life because they are out of touch. Until they take a good hard look at themselves, they never know what they are capable of doing." She credits her skating coaches for nudging her out of the security of her hometown, El Toro, Calif., and prompting her to make the most of her life. "If I had never left home and done all the things I have done, I probably would be very unsettled today," Ms. Smith said. "I would always be looking for new ways to grow but running out of places to do it. Eventually there would have come a time when I had done all the things I could do on my particular corner of the street, and I would to give up on them. They'll keeping working at them until they reach a solution. "You have to work for success," she said. "Sure, a lot of it has to do with being in the right place at the right time, but there are always going to be times when you get stuck. You have to be willing to work through the bad times." Ms. Smith believes there are no set formulas to help people get what they want out of life. "There are no magic formulas," she said. "You only get out of life what you put into it." Tips For Skaters Barbie Smith, a solo performer Keep the blade edges up. This with the Ice Capades, was once a means use both edges to help glide skating instructor. the skates across the ice. Ice skating is not a flat-footed maneuver. The following are tips she offers Skates are meant to come off the to beginning skaters: ice. Know the different types of there three To learn balance and the skates. Basically are and figure. proper stroke, a beginner should kinds - hockey, speed skates the push at the start of each stroke Of the three, figure are easiest 1 to use. The blades on figure with the knees bent. When stepping wider than the on the skating foot, both knees skates are a little others. They also are hollow should be straightened. provide two distinct For people determined to become ground to champions, Ms. Smith offers this edges. advice: Begin with skates that fit • Stay in school. You will not be properly and give the foot good skating all your life. support. Boots should fit snugly Remember, friends are imporwithout having to wear an extra tant. They are more important than pair of socks. A good fit eliminates any medal in the world. worry over weak ankles. In fact, Learn to discipline yourself. skating is often used as therapy for Only you can do the work and your polio patients to build strong an- efforts will be reflected during comkles. petition. Learn to relax. Confidence is • -If possible, take ballet and the key. Don't worry about falling. modern jazz lessons. These will Get on the ice, let go and have fun. help your coordination.

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Article from 05 Mar 1983The Indianapolis News(Indianapolis, IN)

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