WATCH — Olympian Natalie Spooner spills on where she hides her medals and more

Story by CBC Kids News • Published 2020-11-06 14:03

Spooner shares skating tips for newbies

What’s the vibe? How are you feeling? What are you up to?
Let’s check in with some cool newsmakers and ask them our burning questions.

Got an idea for a vibe check? Submit it to us at cbckidsnews@cbc.ca

Who? Natalie Spooner What? Two-time Olympic medal-winning hockey player and judge on this season’s Battle of the Blades. Where? Born in Scarborough, Ontario.

Wherever Natalie Spooner goes, it’s never far from the ice.

The pro hockey player turned amateur ice dancer is now a judge on this season of CBC’s Battle of the Blades.

CBC Kids News took Natalie off her skates, out of the judge’s chair and into the hot seat to ask her all of our cool questions.

Watch the video to see how Natalie was able to go from hockey to figure skating to judging:

And continue reading to learn more about her tips for first-time skaters.

3 words you’d use to describe hockey? Intense, gritty, fast. 3 words you’d use to describe figure skating? Beautiful, graceful, smooth. Guilty pleasure during quarantine? Netflix and chocolate. Go-to karaoke song? My Heart Will Go On by Céline Dion Favourite movie? Pitch Perfect. Hidden talent? I can touch my nose with my tongue. One place you are dying to visit? Hawaii.

One app you’d bring to a deserted island? Skype or Snapchat. “Something that has a video chat so I could talk with family and friends or else I would be so lonely!” Charities that are close to your heart? Fast and Female and Blind Hockey Canada. “I think everyone should have the opportunity to play hockey.” Surprising fact about Olympic medals? “I know they don't look as heavy as they are, but they're solid and very heavy.” P.S. Natalie admitted she fell asleep with her gold medal on the night after the 2014 Olympics. Talk about a golden snooze!

Natalie’s top tips for new skaters: It’s OK to fall! Getting back up is just as important. Get outside your comfort zone and be confident. Try hopping on your skates. It helps you get comfortable with your edges and toe picks. Have fun! “You don't have to be the best skater in the world, as long as you're learning and you feel like you're getting better and you keep trying.”

“You can really do whatever you set your mind to. Like when I was little, no way did I ever think I would be in this position. And every day I just kept working hard. And I think at the end of the day, if you can say you had no regrets and you tried your best, that's all you can hope for.” — Natalie Spooner

Want to see more of Natalie Spooner? Tune in to Season 6 of CBC’s Battle of the Blades Thursdays at 8 p.m. local time on CBC and CBC Gem.

TOP IMAGE CREDIT CBC: Graphic design by Allison Cake/CBC

Was this story worth reading?