2026 Annual Friendship Games

The ice was filled with energy, encouragement, and unforgettable moments at the Fifth Annual Friendship Games hosted by the Oregon Skating Council and held at the beloved Lloyd Ice Rink. This annual tradition continues to grow as one of the most heartwarming skating events in Oregon, bringing together skaters, coaches, families, and clubs from across the region in the true spirit of sportsmanship and friendship.

The Friendship Games is more than just a competition — it is a celebration of community within the Pacific Northwest figure skating world. Skaters of all ages and levels took to the ice with enthusiasm, showcasing their hard work, and passion for the sport in a supportive and uplifting environment.

A Special Thank You to Our Volunteers

Events like this do not happen without an incredible team working behind the scenes. From registration and music coordination to ice monitoring and hospitality, our dedicated volunteers ensured that every detail ran smoothly. Your time, energy, and commitment helped create a welcoming and organized event where skaters could focus on performing their best.

Volunteer support is the backbone of successful figure skating competitions and exhibitions in Oregon, and this year’s Friendship Games was a shining example of what collaboration and service can accomplish.

Gratitude to Our Skaters, Coaches, and Families

To every skater who participated — thank you for bringing your joy and camaraderie to the ice. Whether it was a first year participating or your fifth, each year reflects the growth and community that define the sport of figure skating.

We also extend our appreciation to the coaches who continue to mentor and inspire the next generation of skaters, as well as the families who support early morning practices, travel, and competition days. Your support strengthens the entire skating community in Portland and beyond. We hope this was a day of fun and community!

Lloyd Ice Rink: A Meaningful Home for Skating

Hosting the Friendship Games at Lloyd Ice Rink added an extra layer of significance. For many skaters in the region, this rink represents years of training, testing sessions, summer practices, and preparation for regional and national events. Its central location in the Lloyd District makes it an accessible hub for figure skating clubs throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Building Friendships Through Figure Skating

One of the most special aspects of the Friendship Games is its emphasis on connection over competition. Skaters cheered for one another, shared smiles (especially during Hungry, Hungry Hippos), and celebrated together. This supportive atmosphere reflects the core mission of fostering positive experiences in youth sports, and both competitive and recreational skating.

As the Oregon skating community continues to grow, events like this play a vital role in encouraging participation, confidence, and lifelong friendships both on and off the ice.

Looking Ahead

The success of this year’s event is a testament to the strength of the local skating community. We look forward to continuing this tradition and welcoming even more skaters to future Friendship Games.

From all of us, thank you again to the volunteers, participants, coaches, and families who made the Fifth Annual Friendship Games such a meaningful and memorable event.

Photo Courtesy of Mike Rodgers

Support for a Year-Round Ice Facility at Lloyd Center Master Plan

Thursday, February 12th, 2026

TO: City of Portland, Design Commission

RE: Support for a Year-Round Ice Facility at Lloyd Center Master Plan

Dear Members of the Portland Design Commission and Mayor Wilson,

On behalf of the Oregon Skating Council (OSC), we respectfully submit this letter to express our strong support for the inclusion of a permanent, year-round ice rink within the proposed Lloyd Center Master Plan.

For decades, Lloyd Center Ice Rink has served as a cornerstone of Oregon’s figure skating community and a vital training and gathering space for skaters of all ages and skill levels. As the US Figure Skating inter-club representing figure skating clubs* throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, OSC recognizes this rink not simply as a recreational amenity, but as an essential athletic and community infrastructure.

A year-round ice facility is critical to sustaining:

• Youth programs that promote discipline, resilience, confidence, and healthy lifestyles
• Competitive athletes who represent Oregon at regional, national, and international levels
• Learn-To-Skate programs that expand access to all abilities
• Local competitions, performances, and exhibitions that generate economic and cultural activity
• A safe, structured, positive environment for families throughout the region

Equally important is access. A centrally located, transit-accessible rink in the urban core creates opportunity for minority communities, inner-city youth, and families who may not otherwise have access to organized ice sports. Year-round facilities provide consistency, and consistency is what allows young athletes from diverse backgrounds to participate, grow, and thrive.

Seasonal or temporary ice does not provide the same community benefit. Skill development, competitive training, and inclusive programming require reliable, uninterrupted access. When ice time disappears, participation declines, and those most affected are often youth from underserved communities.

The Lloyd rink’s location makes it uniquely positioned to serve families from across Portland and the greater metropolitan area. Its continued presence aligns with Portland’s goals of equity, youth development, active living, and community-centered design.

Ice facilities are difficult and costly to build. Once removed from the urban core, they are rarely replaced. Preserving a permanent, year-round rink within this redevelopment is not simply about maintaining tradition, it is about safeguarding access, opportunity, and long-term community benefit.

This proposal directly implicates adopted Central City policies, including Policy 1.LD-3 (Tourism, Retail, and Entertainment), which calls for expanding civic attractions and regional destinations; Policy 2.LD-3 (Community Building), which requires public spaces that celebrate district history and strengthen community life; and Policy 5.LD-1 (Diverse and Distinctive Urban Places), which directs development to reinforce the unique character of Lloyd subareas. The Lloyd Center Ice Rink has long functioned as a year-round civic attraction and a defining historic and social anchor for the district. In addition, Central City Fundamental Design Guideline A6 (Reuse / Rehabilitate / Restore) and CC2035 Policy 6.LD-1 (Sustainable District) requires evaluation of reuse, rehabilitation, or restorative approaches where practical. The current record does not explain how full demolition of a functioning civic facility advances these policies, nor why reuse, preservation, or integration of the rink was deemed impractical. Absent that explanation, the record does not yet provide substantial evidence supporting approval.

We respectfully urge the Design Commission and the Mayor’s Office to recognize the civic, social, and economic value of maintaining a year-round ice facility as part of the Lloyd District’s future.

Respectfully,

Summer Browner
President, Oregon Skating Council

*Bend Ice Figure Skating Club, Carousel Figure Skating Club, Eugene Figure Skating, Portland Ice Skating Club, Southern Oregon Figure Skating Club, Winterhawks Figure Skating Club

Pacific Crest Invitational | May 2, 2026 | Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for the Pacific Crest Invitational, taking place Saturday, May 2nd at Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, WA—and we’d love to see your member clubs there!

This competition offers a wide range of events, including:

• Snowplow through Preliminary* levels for Free Skate

• Showcase events for all levels

• Adaptive skating events

We are proud to be both a 2026 Pacific Northwest Basic Skills Series Qualifier and a 2026 National Showcase Qualifier (Preliminary and above showcase events)—making it a fantastic opportunity for skaters to qualify while enjoying a fun, supportive competition environment.

 Registration closes March 29th at 11:59 PM, but space is limited and events may fill before the deadline. We strongly encourage competitors to register early to secure their spot!

 Click HERE to register!

Please share this opportunity with your members clubs.

*Details on scoring for the pre-pre and preliminary free skate: our head referee, Rachel Sager, is still seeking clarification on implementation of the CJS system for those events. Until we get an answer on that, due to officiating constraints, we can only accommodate 6.0 scoring.

Kristin Tashma

Co-Chair, Pacific Crest Invitational/Ice Crystal Classic; Jr. Board Advisor

Portland Ice Skating Club

www.pisc.org

2026 Oregon Open Championships Registration Date

This competition has been approved as a 2026 National Excel Series event by U.S. Figure Skating, and the Oregon Open Figure Skating Championships is one of the approved Pacific Northwest Basic Skills Series competitions to earn points towards an invitation to the championships in September 2026.

This year’s event will be hosted by Oregon Skating Council & Eugene Figure Skating Club at The Rink Exchange in Eugene, OR from April 11th to April 12th, 2026.

Registration opens January 1st, 2026 and closes 11:59P on March 7th, 2026.

For more information, please visit: 2026 Oregon Open Championships Page

Stars on Ice in Portland

OSC Members: Stars on Ice is available through your code RQORSKATECOUNCIL on https://www.rosequarter.com/events/group-tickets.

VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM

PORTLAND, OR

May 24, 2026 - 4pm
Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Mrs. Claus rings in the Christmas season at Lloyd Center tree lighting

By Allison Barr | The Oregonian/OregonLive

It’s usually always about Santa. But at the Lloyd Center, Mrs. Claus gets her own celebration.

The mall’s annual Mrs. Claus tree lighting, held Saturday, has been a yearly occurrence since the building was remodeled in 2016.

The faux Christmas tree stood nearly four stories high in the center of the beloved ice skating rink, decorated with red and gold ornaments. Spectators filled all three floors to watch.

Mrs. Claus kicked off festivities kicked off at 1:30. Kids on ice skates showcased their moves to recognizable holiday songs. The Lloyd Center ice rink program offers theater-style classes, and this was one of three events a year the kids demonstrate what they’ve learned. Accomplished figure skater Samuel Mindra made a guest appearance.

In between sets — sometimes even during — skaters and Mrs. Claus handed out candy canes and jingle bells. After the ice skating portion of the program, Mrs. Claus’ helpers performed a few songs before encouraging all to ring their bells. Once the crowd showed sufficient Christmas spirit, the tree lit up.

The rink opened up shortly after 2 p.m. to eager Portlanders of all ages.

While the rink is open all days of the week, it’s holding a special event from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 22. Anyone who brings 10 nonperishable food items will receive free admission and skate rental. Donations go to the Sunshine Division food pantry in Southeast Portland.

https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2025/11/mrs-claus-rings-in-the-christmas-season-at-lloyd-center-tree-lighting.html

OSC: Core Values

Dear OSC Club Members and Skaters:

One cannot escape politics or the news cycle. By now everyone has heard the political controversy concerning both DEI and gender politics in sport. USFS has been a strong proponent of DEI in recent years. It is also the National Governing Body of our sport, a member of the USOPC and a member of the ISU ... It may become caught up in this.  Ignore it. That national political debate has little relevance to us here on the local level however one may feel about it.

For us here in Oregon and Southwest Washington our core values have always been to include, support, respect and encourage skaters based on their desire, attitude, character, devotion and talent without regard to anything else. It was that way here for decades before there ever was a formal program called DEI. Our openness is reflected in the make up of our cadre of coaches, our team of skaters, and the students in our learn to skate programs. We are all them and they are all us.  We strive to be kind to each other and to include everyone with a desire to be part of our community. We use everyone's talent. It has been our strength. Regardless of what transpires at the national level and what labels are placed or removed, we remain committed to our core values. 

Bill Cloran, President, Oregon Skating Council

In Memoriam: Becky Post

Becky Post, skater, judge, community leader, wife, mom, grandmother, and friend, passed away over the holidays. Becky was a lifelong member of the club that began as Silver Skate, became Lloyd Center Skating Club, then Skating Club of Oregon, and finally Winterhawks FSC. Becky had a career as a singles skater. As an adult she skated on synchro teams. She was a member of the 1995 Lloyd Center Ice Classics that won the first US National Championship at the Masters Level. Becky served on the Club Board of Directors for many years and was a Winterhawks delegate to the Oregon Skating Counsel for at least a decade. Becky was active in the ice dance community as long as I knew her, which was well over forty years.

As an official, Becky was always "in the skater's corner." She never compromised her standards, but she always gave skaters testing or competing the benefit of her wisdom, warmth, and encouragement. She was there when an official was needed or a coach needed help with a skater. Behind the scenes, Becky assisted skaters with financial support and equipment, as well as encouragement. They often did not know where it came from.

Becky was a community builder. She didn't gossip or take sides in the petty nonsense that is destructive to our community. When something needed to be called out, she called it out discretely and effectively.

She had a remarkable sense of humor and an ability to laugh at herself. She gave a good ribbing, but she was never offended to take one as well. OSC honored Becky for a lifetime of service last year at its officials and volunteers dinner. We will all miss her. There is no one to fill her skates ... They can't be filled.

OSC and Winterhawks FSC are working on appropriate celebrations of Becky's life in skating. Details will follow.

Bill Cloran

President, Oregon Skating Council

From The Archives: Vincent Zhoa leading the pack.

May 30, 2022

History: Patron Saint of Ice Skating, Lidwina

The story of Lidwina, the patron saint of ice skating, is a gruesome and fascinating one indeed. She was a Dutch girl born on a Palm Sunday and raised alongside eight brothers to a father and mother (Peter and Petronella) who were a "poor noble" and 'poor commoner". By all accounts, she was "a lovely and charming girl". At age fifteen, in a severe winter Lidwina (known as Lidwina of Schiedam) was skating with girlfriends when she fell and broke a rib and was put in bed in her family home. After her injury, gangrene set in and Lidwina became partially paralyzed.

For more about Lidwina, Patron Saint of Ice Skating, read about her here at The Skate Guard.