Luda Kalenuk, Ukrainian ice-skating instructor,
Al Nasr Leisureland icerink, Dubai

I belong to a family of athletes. My mother loved gymnastics, although she was not a professional; my father dabbled in all kinds of sports and my brother, Alexander, was a gymnast and ice hockey player in the [former Soviet Union] national team.

Alexander, who is six years older than me, introduced me to skating when I was 4 or 5. He was already an accomplished ice-hockey player and in winter we would make our own icerink outside our home. [We would flood our basketball court with water, which would freeze to form our very own icerink.] I took to skating instantly, immensely enjoying myself, picking up all the nuances effortlessly.

When I was about 8, my parents put me into a private skating school. Later, on my coach's advice, I was sent to a special government-aided skating school that admitted talented students free of charge. One had to skate full-time while also studying. The teachers were supportive, but it was hard work.

My coach, Nina Mozer, and my teammates shaped my personality. We were constantly travelling for competitions, skating camps and to other places when it was not snowing in our region, so I spent a considerable time away from home. My coach and teammates were like a family to me.

At the school, we learnt the value of discipline and self-control. No matter what happened, one just had to skate for hours on end, perfect a pirouette or a slide and work with the team to be in harmony and tandem. We had to constantly monitor our diet, as we were not allowed to put on extra weight.

Especially in pair skating, where your partner has to lift you. I did a lot of pair skating with my partner, Oleg. Performing in front of a large audience was something that could give one the jitters. Every time we were in a different camp and facing an unfamiliar audience, so we had to learn to control our nerves and at the same time support our teammates.

In ice-skating you win, you lose and you learn. There are lots of disappointments, frustrations and failures, yet you just cannot give up; you must go out and perform. This bonding [with fellow skaters] has remained with me for life. To this day, most of my friends are those related to skating or from some kind of sport.

I have no regrets about my childhood ...

... but my life was very different from that of an average 8- or 9-year-old. There were no indulgences, not much socialising and few outings.

I had to finish my supper early and attend skating lessons from 8 pm to midnight. The school was an hour's ride from my home and I had to take the train home, do my homework then be up early [the next morning] to go to school. I did not have the liberty to socialise like other girls in my school. But I was so motivated that I did not feel jealous.

I was focused all the time, our targets were set and one worked hard to reach one's goals. I had to practise ballet, choreography, gymnastics and weightlifting as well as skating. I suffered many injuries and tried to quit [several times].

But when I saw the faces of my coach and my teammates and felt there was something I could really do for my country [we were part of the USSR national team at the time], I relented. Eventually, I learned to handle pain.

The only thing that leaves a twinge of regret ...

... was forgoing a chance to represent my country in the Olympics. In the year I came to Dubai [1991], Ukraine became independent and I had a good chance of being selected in the pair team – as Oleg and I were among the best from the region.

However, I realised it would be difficult to continue in a performing career. I wanted to become an instructor and that was also the time when I heard about these people from Dubai who were looking for instructors. It seemed like a good place to start a coaching career.

I came here for two years initially [aged 18] but stayed on because I became attached to my understudies. I watched these little kids grow into accomplished skaters and wanted to be part of their success and give them a platform to perform. Before I knew it, I had spent 15 years in Dubai.

I formed the first truly professional Middle East team [Al Nasr Leisureland team] and we have entered many competitions in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon and the Far East, where we have won acclaim and accolades.

At Skate Asia [an annual event staged in various cities in East and Southeast Asia] we consistently picked up awards for first place. I have 30 skaters who have been with me since they were toddlers. My students are mostly girls as many boys perceive this to be a 'girl' thing.

Skating is not just a sport ...

... it also helps groom children. It teaches them coordination, balance, focus and it is an art – and with music it's also a dance. It is wonderful to see children emote to music and respond in beautiful dance movements when you play their favourite piece of music. I usually choose music for children according to their personality. It helps stimulate their abstract and spatial intelligence, besides making them physically fit.

It's a pity that skating is not as popular a sport as, let's say, soccer is here. It would lovely for these children to have an audience, as it is not a good idea to dance before empty seats.

I am dedicated to my job and do not have much of a social life. I work all day here. I do some power yoga in the morning. I try to teach my students some of it, mainly stretches and meditation. It helps them focus better.

All skaters, including my kids, are not really allowed to pile the pounds as they find it difficult to skate with excess body weight.

I have been extremely conscious of my health and food habits. No oily, fried stuff for me, I usually eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, occasionally fish and once a week I let my guard down and have some fast food or ice cream.

I have to skate every day. If I am in a bad mood, I like to skate to certain kinds of music. On my day off I like to do waterskiing, badminton or tennis.

I wish people would think less about themselves and more about others ...

... and not just focus on wealth and materialism. Many people fret about owning the latest mobile. When we were young we had no mobiles yet we were so happy. Happiness is what you feel inside. No amount of clothes, jewellery, food or cars can really make you happy. Doing social welfare or charity work helps you connect with reality. In fact, we are doing a show [at Al Nasr Leisureland] on November 16 – the proceeds of which will go to a charity. It is a choice ... kindness and compassion are two virtues everyone must possess.

Snapshots

Me, my family and Kiev:

I try to go home to Kiev once a year to see my family. I love being with my family at New Year and Christmas. I also miss the seasons – especially when autumn changes into a frosty white winter, then when winter thaws out to be a bright summer. It is also nice to see my niece pick up our traits. She is into rhythmic gymnastics.

My favourite photo:

A team is the most important thing for an ice-skater. This was true when I was a child and still holds true for my students at Al Nasr. While I am strict on the rink, I try to be their friend when I am off it. We enjoy a special bond.

This is a snapshot of my team when we went for the Skate Asia 2005 championships in Thailand. I like this picture particularly because it was a small team and one of my students, Anneta, was placed first. We were all so happy for her. Besides that, all the girls in this picture have been with me since they were 5-8 years old.

For me, this picture is about being together and supporting each other and being there for one another.

By Suchitra Bajpai Chaudary, Staff Writer

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