Debbie Curry believes everyone can skate. That’s the message she hoped the public heard Sunday afternoon at the Great to Skate ice-skating clinic hosted by the Helena Figure Skating Club.

Curry, president of the club, said she hopes awareness is increased about the club and the arena, and that the event exposed potentially interested people to the sports of ice skating and hockey.

During the clinic, students first learned how to get up and down, then how to march, and eventually onto to gliding, she said.

“We’ve never had anybody who couldn’t skate,” Curry said.

Bonnie, Abby and Clancy Jones of East Helena bundled up in their hats, gloves and coats prior to testing their skills on the ice. Bonnie, 4, was a bit nervous but mostly excited about the endeavor. Clancy, 7, was confident about her ability but was nervous about the prospect of falling.

“I’m a nervous a little because it’s embarrassing in front of people if you fall,” Clancy said.

The day wasn’t all about figure skating, as hockey players also gave demonstrations.

Bill Billman, 31, and son, Tamer, 4, shared the ice with the figure skaters while talking about pucks and goals and their love of hockey.

Tamer, plays on the under-8 group of the Helena Bighorns Mites.

This is his second year, and he hopes to someday be a goalie.

Tamer said the biggest challenge is getting the puck away from the other players, but insists he’ll keep working on it.

Michelle Pyzyna has been skating since she was 9 years old. Now, at age 40, she’s the head coach of the club and she says skating is what has kept her young and in shape.

Ice skating takes discipline, increases muscle tone, and is just a healthy sport, she said.

“(Ice skating) makes you work hard, like high altitude training, especially because it’s cold in the arenas,” Pyzyna said.

Pyzyna said she finds freedom on the ice.

“It’s like a skier on the mountain in fresh powder — it’s the same thing when the ice is cut,” she said.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com