The following press release reveals the state of skate in this discipline. Except for font formatting, I promise I have resisted the temptation to edit! --Liz
The U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters, or USFIFS, has agreed to adopt the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills program for the use of training inline figure skating. The program will be modified to suit the needs of the inline figure skater. U.S. Figure Skating has agreed to let the U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters use their Basic Skills program without charge and will provide help where appropriate.
It is expected that the use of the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills program by the USFIFS will help to enhance the growth of figure skating in general by providing more opportunities for skaters to develop their skills and to provide opportunities to skate in areas that currently have few figure skating opportunities such as warm climates, areas with few rinks and so forth. It is expected that the program will be easily adopted by coaches that are already familiar with the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills program. It will also provide opportunities for park districts to expand their skating program by using a familiar program that is already in use.
In a recent meeting between USA Hockey InLine officials and U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters officials it was agreed that the program will help to supplement the current Learn to Play program. This program will help to encourage further activity in inline skating and helping to develop skating skills. This will complement the current program between U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey.
U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters is currently evaluating several locations to implement the first stage of the Basic Skills Program. USFIFS is looking for coaches and volunteers willing to help implement the Basic Skills program on inlines. For further information contact info@usfifs.org
About Inline Figure Skating
Many ice figure skating moves can be done on inline skates and practically all advanced moves that are done on ice can be done on specially-designed inline figure skates that use traditional figure skating boots. Inline figure skates are used to train ice figure skaters in many countries that have limited opportunities for ice skating. Inline figure skates are used in many areas to mimic ice programs. PIC skates were actually used in some of the filming of the movie "Blades of Glory". In addition, inline figure skates actually existed in the early 1800s and have been used to mimic ice moves on stage.
About USFIFS
The United States Federation of Inline Figure Skaters, or USFIFS, is a brand-new organization dedicated to the advancement of inline figure skating. Inline figure skating is currently competed worldwide and is part of the roller skating Worlds. The USFIFS will help to encourage the growth of the sport by developing programs, providing information, holding competitions and creating additional opportunities for skaters to learn and compete. USFIFS follows the standards and rules of U.S. Figure Skating and the International Skating Union, or ISU, but functions as an independent organization. USFIFS will work with all skating and sports organizations wherever possible. USFIFS has attracted interest from inline figure skaters in countries as far apart as France, India, Iran and China. The USFIFS web site is usfifs.org.
Contact Information
For further information contact: Joe Kaplenk, President at (708) 707-0992.
This announcement was reviewed by U.S. Federation of Inline Figure Skaters, U.S. Figure Skating and USA Hockey Inline Officials
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Skating Newsletter Article 
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