Opening the Door to Skating: How Skate VIDA and Edge Up Are Creating Access for Young Skaters
Figure skating can inspire confidence, build friendships, and open doors to opportunities that extend far beyond the ice. Through a partnership with Edge Up Skating Foundation, Skate VIDA is helping make those opportunities accessible to young skaters who might otherwise never get the chance.
A Sport That Can Change Lives
There is something special about stepping onto the ice for the first time.
The feeling of gliding across the surface, the excitement of learning a new skill, and the pride that comes with accomplishing something that once seemed impossible are experiences that can stay with a person for a lifetime.
Figure skating is more than a sport. It teaches discipline, perseverance, creativity, and resilience. It builds confidence, encourages physical activity, and creates opportunities for friendships and personal growth.
For some, skating becomes a passion that shapes their lives.
But for many children, the opportunity to experience figure skating remains out of reach.
Between the cost of ice time, instruction, equipment, and other expenses, getting started in figure skating can present significant financial barriers for families.
At Skate VIDA, we believe that a child's opportunity to discover the joy of skating shouldn't be determined solely by their family's financial circumstances.
That's why we're proud to partner with Edge Up Skating Foundation, an organization founded by three young competitive figure skaters who want to share the sport they love with others.
Their story is a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful way to appreciate what a sport has given you is to help someone else experience it, too.
Three Sisters, One Shared Mission
Edge Up Skating Foundation was founded by three sisters: Leila Smith, Natalie Smith, and Paige Smith.
All three are competitive figure skaters who have spent years experiencing the challenges, rewards, and personal growth that come with the sport.
Leila Smith, 16, competes at the Novice level.
Natalie Smith, 14, competes at the Intermediate level.
Paige Smith, 12, competes at the Juvenile level.
For the sisters, figure skating has been much more than an extracurricular activity. It has been a shared passion, a source of personal growth, and a defining part of their lives.
But it was an unexpected break from the ice that helped inspire them to look at the sport in a new way.
When Leila suffered a root meniscus tear, the injury was particularly severe: the meniscus tore completely away from the bone, taking a small piece of bone with it. Surgical repair was necessary, followed by an intensive recovery process.
For the past six months, Leila has been working through physical therapy and rehabilitation. Her recovery is still ongoing, but she's steadily getting stronger and making her way back to the sport she loves.
Recently, she reached a milestone that every figure skater can appreciate: she landed her double Axel again. And with her sights set regaining her triples, she's continuing to work toward what's next.
Yet the time away from the ice gave Leila something else, too: an opportunity to reflect on what skating meant to her and to her sisters.
That forced break brought a renewed appreciation for the role skating had played in their lives. It also prompted a bigger question:
What about the children who never get the opportunity to discover skating in the first place?
The sisters recognized that having figure skating as a central part of their lives came with a significant amount of privilege.
They understood that the financial commitment required to participate can prevent other children from experiencing the same opportunities, regardless of their interest, enthusiasm, or potential.
Rather than simply acknowledging that disparity, they decided to do something about it.
Together, they founded Edge Up Skating Foundation with a mission to introduce young people to figure skating who might otherwise be held back by financial barriers.
Their goal is to help open the door to a sport that has given them so much.
Breaking Down Barriers to the Ice
For families unfamiliar with figure skating, the costs can be surprising.
Even at the introductory level, participation may involve several expenses:
Ice time: Access to a skating rink is essential, and the cost of ice can quickly add up.
Instruction: Learning proper technique and developing foundational skills requires guidance from qualified instructors.
Equipment: Properly fitted skates are essential for learning safely and comfortably.
Consistency: Like any sport, skating requires regular practice to develop skills and build confidence.
These costs can make it difficult for some children to participate, even when they have the interest and enthusiasm to learn.
Removing those barriers means more than simply introducing a child to the ice. It means creating an opportunity for them to continue learning, developing, and discovering what they are capable of achieving.
For the Smith sisters, that opportunity is at the heart of Edge Up's mission.
How Edge Up and Skate VIDA Are Working Together
Through its partnership with Skate VIDA, Edge Up Skating Foundation helps provide eligible youth with access to introductory figure skating lessons, ice time, and skate rentals at no cost to participating families.
The partnership creates an opportunity for children to experience skating in a supportive environment without the usual upfront financial commitment.
Participants can learn foundational skating skills, build confidence, and discover whether figure skating is something they want to pursue further.
At Skate VIDA, we're proud to support the sisters' vision by helping provide the instruction, ice access, and welcoming environment that make these experiences possible.
We believe that introducing a child to skating is about more than teaching them how to glide across the ice.
It's about giving them the chance to discover something new, challenge themselves, and find a community where they feel encouraged to grow.
Learn more about the foundation and its mission at Edge Up Skating Foundation.
You can also follow Edge Up on Instagram at @edgeup.skating.
More Than Learning to Skate
The benefits of introducing a child to figure skating extend far beyond the technical skills they develop.
Building Confidence
Learning to skate requires patience, courage, and a willingness to try something new.
Every small milestone—from standing independently to gliding across the ice—creates an opportunity for a child to recognize their own progress.
Over time, those experiences can help build confidence that carries into other areas of life.
Developing Resilience
Falling is part of learning to skate.
So is getting back up, trying again, and gradually discovering that persistence pays off.
Figure skating provides a tangible way for children to learn how to approach challenges, work through frustration, and celebrate improvement.
Finding Community
A skating rink can become much more than a place to practice.
It can be a place to make friends, find mentors, and feel part of a supportive community.
For young skaters, having coaches and fellow skaters who encourage their progress can make a meaningful difference in their experience.
Discovering New Possibilities
Not every child who steps onto the ice will become a competitive figure skater—and that's perfectly okay.
Some may discover a lifelong hobby. Others may find a passion for performance, choreography, or the challenge of mastering new skills.
The important thing is that they have the opportunity to discover what skating means to them.
A More Accessible Future for Figure Skating
Figure skating has the power to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.
But for that potential to reach more children, the skating community must continue finding ways to make the sport more accessible.
The Smith sisters created Edge Up Skating Foundation because they understand firsthand how much skating can mean to a young person.
Their own experiences have shown them the value of perseverance, community, and the personal growth that comes from pursuing a challenging sport.
Through their partnership with Skate VIDA, they are helping extend those opportunities to children who might otherwise never have the chance to step onto the ice.
It's a reminder that the impact of skating isn't measured only in medals, competition results, or technical achievements.
Sometimes, it's measured in the opportunity to try something new, the confidence gained from learning a new skill, or the friendships formed along the way.
And sometimes, the greatest accomplishment is helping someone else discover a passion of their own.
Help Us Open the Door
Interested in learning more about Edge Up Skating Foundation and its mission to make figure skating accessible to young people?
Visit www.edgeupskating.org or follow @edgeup.skating on Instagram.
Through our partnership, Skate VIDA and Edge Up hope to introduce more young people to the joy of skating and the opportunities it can create.
Because every child deserves the chance to discover what they can accomplish when they are given the opportunity, encouragement, and support to try.
Skating is Life. And every child deserves the opportunity to experience it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Edge Up Skating Foundation:
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Edge Up Skating Foundation partners with Skate VIDA to provide eligible youth with access to introductory figure skating lessons, ice time, and skate rentals at no cost to participating families.
To learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the application page of the Edge Up Skating Foundation website.
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Donations can help support Edge Up's mission to make figure skating more accessible to young people who might otherwise face financial barriers.
Visit the Edge Up Skating Foundation website to learn more about the organization and how to support its work.
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Community members who want to help make figure skating more accessible can visit the Edge Up Skating Foundation website to learn more about the foundation and volunteer opportunities.
Whether through volunteering, sharing the foundation's mission, or helping connect families with available resources, community involvement can help introduce more children to the joy of skating.
Specific information about volunteering to be a teen coach for the Edge Up program can be found on this page of their website.
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Edge Up Skating Foundation focuses on helping young people who face financial barriers to participating in figure skating. Families interested in the program should visit the foundation's website for current eligibility requirements and application information.