Ask the Expert: Champion Cords Inventor Sheila Thelen

This week’s Ask the Expert guest is PSA master rated coach and inventor of Champion Cords, Shelia Thelen and Ice Coach. Thelen invented the Champion cords in 2003 when she was the Skating Director at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center in Stillwater, Minn. Her inspiration was a student who struggled with the single Axel.

Thelen nearly shouted at the kid: I’m going to tie your left hand and left foot together, so you are forced to move – as a unit.

That’s how she invented the Champion Cord. It’s evolved from a section of bungee cord swiped from the hockey locker room to a cord with a handle, a removable clip, and an instructional DVD.

The skater went on to land 10 Axels in that lesson. “Now I know where my left foot goes in midair,” the skater said.

The audio interview lasts about 20 minutes. I am grateful to Ice Coach for asking questions from a coaching perspective. Because of Ice Coach, I learned things that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I invite you to ask Sheila your own questions in the comments. Sheila has a day job, like so many of us do, so she’ll probably respond to you later in the evening.

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Listening guide:

00:57 Keeping track of the Champion Cord – how not to lose them

1:55 Cords come in different colors

2:35 Why buy cords anyway?

3:37 Can skaters and coaches use the Champion Cords for jumps?

4:52 Don’t the Champion Cords tangle during a jump?

5:36 What do kids think of the Champion Cords?

7:31 What if a kid really dislikes using Champion Cords?

8:40 Cords for little kids

9:10 Cinching up cords for small skaters and big skaters who won’t bend their knees

10:09 What are your favorite Champion Cord exercises? Any suggestions for the Axel?

12:07 Using the Champion Cords on Ice Girl’s doubles.

12:30 Audrey Weisiger’s ankle buzzers and other fun skating devices

13:30 Where to order Champion Cords

15:05 Why would anyone buy three cords?

16:48 Tying a skater to her pony tail

Do you have a question about Champion Cords for Sheila Thelen? Feel free to ask your questions in the comments. Sheila will be responding to your questions.

Do you have a question for Ice Mom or the Advisory Board? I encourage you to send whatever dilemmas you’re experiencing my way! If you have an idea for a post, that’s great, too! Are you an expert and would like to appear on Ask the Expert in June? Great! E-mail me at icemom.diane@gmail.com

Photo credits:
Sheila Thelen photo: Sheila Thelen, ChampionCords.com
Bungee boy: franzj on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Bungee!: JVanSweden on Flickr.com Creative Commons