Gary Beacom - A Skating Genius

Ladskater · Apr 20, 2012

Probably one of Canada's most controversial skaters was Gary Beacom. He drove the judges and the Canadian Figure Skating Association (Skate Canada) crazy! Yet, this guy was a genious on ice. This is one of my favorite programs Gary did later in a pro competition:

It's skated to "I'm Your Man" by Leonard Cohen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjHpnsI9Xh8&feature=fvsr

also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuPwyWjYAuk&feature=related

I have to add:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iJLlBn8-pE&feature=g-vrec&context=G2801689RVAAAAAAAAAA

sgower · Apr 20, 2012

This is brilliant:

http://youtu.be/-iJLlBn8-pE

Ladskater · Apr 20, 2012

Oops...I added the same routine! It is brilliant. How he does those moves is beyond me. Gary reinvents as he skates.

Scrufflet · Apr 20, 2012

My absolute fave! He also did an interesting one to I Think I'm Losin' My Marbles (Mendelson Joe) with his former partner Gia Gudat(sp) but it wasn't on youtube last I looked.

Scrufflet · Apr 20, 2012

Ladskater said:
Oops...I added the same routine! It is brilliant. How he does those moves is beyond me. Gary reinvents as he skates.

Sorry this is the one I meant as my absolute fave.

tempika · Apr 20, 2012

He is probably my favorite skater from those times. The best twizzles I've ever seen. Is that true that he tought skating himself, without coach? And never had any serious injuries during his career?

Dragonlady · Apr 20, 2012

tempika said:
He is probably my favorite skater from those times. The best twizzles I've ever seen. Is that true that he tought skating himself, without coach? And never had any serious injuries during his career?

No, he almost always had coaches but he changed coaches often. I can well imagine he was very frustrating as a student. Beacom has always marched to his own drummer.

blue dog · Apr 20, 2012

Dragonlady said:
No, he almost always had coaches but he changed coaches often. I can well imagine he was very frustrating as a student. Beacom has always marched to his own drummer.

Towards the end of his career, he coached himself while getting a degree in physics from the University of Toronto (which, I understand, is like the Harvard of Canada!)!

Dragonlady · Apr 20, 2012

blue dog said:
Towards the end of his career, he coached himself while getting a degree in physics from the University of Toronto (which, I understand, is like the Harvard of Canada!)!

Not even close. U of T is the top ranked Canadian University but it's 23rd in the World. Harvard is #2.

blue dog · Apr 20, 2012

I'm not saying it's ranked as high as Harvard in the world. I'm saying that it's like the Harvard equivalent. Besides, 23rd isn't anything to sneeze at.

dorispulaski · Apr 20, 2012

tempika, welcome to Golden Skate! Post long and often.

UsedtoDance · Apr 20, 2012

Dragonlady said:
Beacom has always marched to his own drummer.

This is soooo true. But he was/is and incredible spinner. I remember watching him actually gain speed in a spin and it ws as if he would just spin forever and ever. VERY interesting guy though.

Ladskater · Apr 21, 2012

Yes, Gary was his own coach for many years as he likely did not get along with being coached. He definitely "marched to his own drum." I think he loves skating for skating's sake and it shows when he performs. What Gary does on the blade is unique.

sgower · Apr 22, 2012

His use and command of edges is second to none. I heard or read that he has many different pairs of skates, some with almost no support in order to use edges in new and innovative ways.

Gary Beacom - A Skating Genius

Ladskater

~ Figure Skating Is My Passion ~

sgower

Ladskater

~ Figure Skating Is My Passion ~

Scrufflet

Scrufflet

tempika

Dragonlady

blue dog

Trixie Schuba's biggest fan!

Dragonlady

blue dog

Trixie Schuba's biggest fan!

dorispulaski

Wicked Yankee Girl

UsedtoDance

Ladskater

~ Figure Skating Is My Passion ~

sgower

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