LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ice skating usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Derby City.

“A lot of people in Louisville are surprised that we’ve been around for so long and that we have such a large program,” Sarah Neal, the Learn to Skate Director, said.

The Louisville Skating Academy is one of the largest programs in the region. The organization has over 250 members. Neal says Learn to Skate had about 450 members in 2018.

But, it’s not just about quantity for Neal and the other coaches. The skaters that have come through Louisville Skating Academy have built up an impressive resume including some national medals in their history.

“We have had skaters that have with Team USA in ice dance and synchronized skating,” Neal said. “We have had multiple skaters go on to perform with Disney on Ice.”

A big part of that success is thanks to the LSA’s strength and conditioning program. They teamed up with orthopedic specialists like Dr. Stacie Grossfeld and ProRehab to make sure their athletes stay healthy and practicing.

“The key thing is we want to get them back on the ice risk low,” Dr. Stacie Grossfeld said. “Meaning that their injury has been recovered.”

Dr. Edward Foring and ProRehab work closely with the skaters for the past ten years. He says the grace and elegance often associated with the sport misleads people to just how tough skaters are.

“A lot of people don’t realize is that their injuries are very similar to hockey, football, soccer, and basketball,” Dr. Foring said.

Skaters practice and train hard. Often heading to the skating rink multiple times a day. It is why LSA and ProRehab make sure there are trained help for the coaches and skaters.

“We have such a good program in place that we start them early in the movement patterns,” Dr. Foring said. “The primary focus is to develop movement patterns that will allow them not to get injured.

Neal knows her skaters put in the hours. If they fall, they get back up.

“They are definitely dedicated and passionate about the sport,” Neal said.

Kentuckians will have a chance to see the skaters in action when they perform in LSA’s 16th Nutcracker on Ice.

The shows are scheduled for December 21st and 22nd at the Iceland Sports Complex in Louisville.