How Do You Save a Dying Sport?

Those of you reading this may or may not know that Curt and I are figure skating coaches, although it’s probably not the type of figure skating you are used to seeing. Our figure skaters are on roller skates, not ice skates. Yes, roller skates...and not inline skates, the “old fashioned” quad skates.
(In fact, we are former competitors, ourselves.) Curt and I mostly specialize in Dance and Figures, but Curt is also skilled in Freestyle.

It is probably one of the most frustrating sports in which we could participate, simply because no one really knows that it even exists! Did you know that roller figure skating (formerly called “artistic” skating) has regional and national championships every year? We even have world championships every year and have skaters that participates in the PanAm Games. (In case you didn't notice, the one major event missing is the Olympics, which I have given up on, personally.) Roller Skating is huge in many other countries. In fact, roller skaters in many South American countries are considered celebrities! They are actually mobbed for photos and autographs when entering arenas for competitions. (Can you believe it?)

Last season (earlier this year), I had my first competitive skater go to the Regional Championships in Michigan. Unfortunately, she has since given up skating (which happens quite often when kids reach their teenage years). So, I am currently down to one skater, who is an adult beginner. My husband is down to the fewest number of skaters he has ever coached, and he is considering dropping it altogether. We've tried blaming the economy for the declining numbers, but since roller skating is one of the least expensive sports to participate in, we can’t really use that as an excuse (except for those students who would drive hours - yes, hours - for lessons and practice).

Instead of dropping it, I am wondering how we can get it to pick up a little again. I've tried the usual routes of advertising (posters/hand-outs in the rink, contacting newspapers and TV stations), but nothing seems to be helping at this point. I’m also trying to find a way to make the sport appeal to kids. We have coached all age groups - from age 8 to age 78 (and that’s not an exaggeration!) - but without bringing in some “new blood,” the sport will be non-existent in our area in 10 years. (I actually only give it 5 years.)

The worst part about it is that Ohio is one of the biggest states for roller skating. Our state has some of the largest skate clubs in the country. So, why can’t we find any skaters? Any ideas, suggestions, questions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

(For more information on competitive, artistic/figure skating, check out http://rollersports.usoc.org/, and under "Disciplines," click on "Figure.")