Two skaters share their perspectives on why it’s important to practice during Perry Park’s off-season.

Although Perry Park is closed until the beginning of October, freestyles and public sessions are available at local rinks — the Fuel Tank at Fishers, Carmel Ice Skadium and the Hamilton Center Ice Arena in Columbus.

Brooke Derheimer: “I think everyone should skate during the off season. One reason is you get to show off to all of your friends all the new things you’ve learned during the break. When you keep practicing, you get better at the things that need work. Then you don’t have to pick up where you left off six months later. This helps you move through the levels faster. And finally, skating through the off season gives you an advantage over skaters that didn’t at competitions. That’s why I think everyone should skate through the off season.”

Laura Battiato: “During every Perry Park season, skaters spend countless hours at the rink improving his or her skills. During the off season and summer, it is important to continue to hone those skills so you can continue to improve. Each day off of skating is a little bit of lost skills. Spending a few months away can cause a loss of an element that you spent many hours achieving and perfecting. Not only is skating during Perry Park’s off season important for continuing to improve and not risk losing a skill, it continues lessons on discipline and hard work. Making the decision to make the extra effort to travel to another rink and skate inside in a cold rink rather than being outside in the sun is a choice and deision of dedication to your skating. Although the dedication of wanting to skate during the summer starts with the skater, it ends with the parent who sacrifices extra time to make the journey with their skater.”