Gliding Free
A Coffee Club probably sounds like a social group where you sit around some artsy establishment sipping expensive java, listening to New Age music and chatting with other beautiful L.A. people.
Well, think again. This Coffee Club requires its members to be active and take a chance. Oh, it also requires skates and padding in the event of an almost inevitable spill onto the slick, hard ice.
That’s right, coffee and ice, instead of iced coffee. Three times a week from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., the Iceoplex in North Hills reserves its large rink for adults only, many of them beginners.
There are no teenagers performing dangerous acrobatics, no showoffs racing by and no loud, heavy metal or hip-hop music.
Skates, a half-hour beginners’ lesson and coffee with Danish and other refreshments cost $7.
What more could a hesitant adult with a fear of falling ask for?
“It combines fitness and fellowship,” said 43-year-old Paula Smart, who drives from Simi Valley for Coffee Club three times a week. “The ambience is so great because there are no kids and it’s not crowded like it is during public sessions.”
When Smart’s husband suggested she try ice skating six years ago, she went down to the rink near her Simi Valley home to check it out.
“There were all sorts of kids jumping around and I said, ‘This is crazy!’ I’ll break my neck!’ ” Smart said. “Then I discovered Coffee Club.”
After checking in and getting skates, members warm up for about 30 minutes on the large, regulation hockey rink. The average group size is about 25, so there’s plenty of room for everyone to roam freely and try new moves.
Skaters take turns bringing in tapes of classical music, easy listening or oldies.
Then instructors Erika Shorr and Peter Dalby, both former British skating champions, conduct a half-hour class.
They cone off one corner of the rink and take students through basic skating instruction.
Both instructors offer words of encouragement, and at times help an apprehensive students across the ice by holding his or her hand.
“There’s a lot of fear sometimes, but mostly they’re really excited to try it,” Shorr said. “They have so much fun.”
Those who choose not to take the lesson practice their skills on the well-groomed ice.
An 83-year-old man in jeans and a sweater tries small circles at mid-rink and a middle-aged woman glides freely around him. A fortysomething man in dress slacks and a shirt speeds around the rink’s perimeter, occasionally pausing to practice turns.
“This makes you feel young and it gives you energy,” said 72-year-old George Bran of North Hollywood. “It sure beats sitting around at home.”
The Iceoplex started Coffee Club about six years ago and its popularity has grown rapidly. In the early years, three to four skaters showed up regularly and now the smallest group is about 15.
When the skating session is done, it’s off to the rink-side restaurant for drinks, snacks and socializing. There’s a clear view of the rink through a large window.
Those who want more time on the ice can continue skating until 5 p.m. at no extra charge. The only problem then is that Coffee Club is over and skaters must share the ice with fearless kids and dare-devil teenagers.
“Of course it’s not the same,” Smart said. “There’s nothing like Coffee Club.”
BE THERE
Coffee Club at the Iceoplex, 8345 Hayvenhurst Place, North Hills. Adult-only skating and lessons on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Each session is $7 and includes skates, lessons, refreshments and snacks. Information: 893-1784.