The skaters of River Blades Skating School are gliding into summer with energy and anticipation as they prepare for two major competitions, including one of the largest recreational ice skating events in the country.
The first event on the calendar is the Summer Breeze Competition, taking place Saturday, June 28 at Woog Arena. The competition will feature both solo skaters and team members from River Blades, all representing the Hastings Civic Arena with routines they have been refining throughout the season.
But that is just the warm-up. The highlight of the summer will be the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) World Recreational Team Championships, held July 24 through 27 at the NSC Super Rink in Blaine. This marquee event is recognized as the largest annual recreational ice skating competition in the United States, and it promises to bring together more than 800 skaters from 16 states and the Philippines. Competitors range in age from toddlers to senior citizens, with events tailored to every level of experience and skill.
River Blades Skating School will be well represented on this national stage. The following skaters will compete as part of the Hastings Civic Arena team: Mabel Forrest, Maddy Graham, Aislyn Haider, Sydney Iverson, Josie Jacobs, Chesney Marthaler, Letty Meyer, Avery Mikonowicz, Millie Nitti, Marissa Nitti, Avery Piskor, Chloe Qiu, Piper Radford, Kathrine Rogers, Livie Schmidt, Carly Sieben, Lyla Sieben, Abby Stagno, Etta Thoms and Hannah Woehrmann.
Behind every successful skater is a team of dedicated coaches who help make these opportunities possible. River Blades is proud to be guided by a passionate coaching staff that includes Anna Deeg Agrimson, Hanna Isadore, Cassie Palmersten, Lexi Simonson and Amanda Truax, owner and director of River Blades Skating School. These coaches devote countless hours to training, choreography and mentoring, helping each skater grow both on and off the ice.
In addition to the competition itself, the event will include the ISI Benefit Show on the evening of Saturday, July 26 at Fogerty Arena in Blaine. Headlining the performance will be 2025 World Champion and U.S. silver medalist Alysa Liu. The show will also feature selected routines by ISI Worlds participants and is open to the public. Tickets are available at skateisi.org/benefitshow.
The ISI program, which began in 1959 as the Ice Skating Institute, is widely credited with launching the recreational figure skating movement in the U.S. Over the last 66 years, ISI has introduced more than 10 million people to skating through its nationally recognized learn-to-skate curriculum. The program emphasizes participation over elimination, ensuring that every skater, regardless of age or ability, finds a path to success and enjoyment on the ice.
Many prominent American skaters, including Kristi Yamaguchi, Michelle Kwan, Jason Brown and Dorothy Hamill, got their start through ISI programs. Today, the organization continues to provide opportunities for skaters who wish to compete, perform, or simply enjoy skating as a lifelong activity.
For the River Blades athletes heading into this summer’s events, the chance to skate alongside competitors from across the country, meet new friends, and perform on a national stage is both an honor and an exciting challenge. The school is proud to see its skaters take this next step in their development, and the community is encouraged to follow along and cheer them on.
More information about the Ice Sports Industry and the ISI Worlds can be found at skateisi.org/worlds. To learn more about the River Blades Skating School or to sign up for summer learn-to-skate classes at the Hastings Civic Arena, visit www.RiverBladesSkating.com.