CHAMPION SKATER ROLLS BACK TO THE RINK.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - More than 20 years ago, Linda DeFilippo was a roller figure skating champion - a skill she's now passing on to young girls in hopes that they will carry on the title she held for years.

The Valencia resident, formerly of New York, is hoping to inspire the desire in her students to become expert skaters.

``It was always my first love,'' DeFilippo said. ``I enjoy teaching more now because I have my own children.

On Monday night a dozen of her students, ages 4 to 10, will perform a two-hour exhibition at Mountasia Family Fun Center.

``These are girls that have decided to study with me,'' said DeFilippo, who moved to the Santa Clarita Valley 18 months ago. ``They have an interest in going beyond the class.''

The young skaters will perform solo and group routines, similar to those performed on ice.

The girls will incorporate numerous maneuvers into their routines including toe loops, spins, arabesques, jumps, salchows, lutz flips, bunny hops, shoot the duck and spread eagle.

``It's amazing how focused they can be when they are doing something they really love,'' DeFilippo said. ``They're very talented.''

DeFilippo says that she incorporates the Star Program endorsed by the USA Roller Skating Federation.

DeFilippo began skating when she was 3. Growing up in a small town, there was little to do, so when her older sisters took lessons at a roller rink in a neighboring community, DeFilippo went along. Rather than sit and wait, she joined the class.

She spent her first two practice sessions on her hands and knees. When her mother threatened to take away the skates and stop the lessons, the little girl decided to skate.

``It was the only fun thing to do, the only recreating in the '50s,'' she said.

By the time she was 5, DeFilippo had mastered the sport and won her first national champion title.

``I practically grew up in the rink,'' she said. ``I would practice four to six hours a day, five to six days a week.''

For the next 20 years, DeFilippo continued skating and went on to win 17 national championships. She was the only woman to be awarded four artistic gold medals in freestyle, American dance, international dance, and school figures -a precision set of guided moves - by the U.S. Federation of Roller Skating.

DeFilippo gave up competitive skating when she was 25. She taught roller figure skating for three years, but gave that up to rear her two children.

``Once Rollerblades took over, it took more of a different turn,'' DeFilippo. ``It's not as popular as roller skating was.''

As a young mother, DeFilippo tackled her current career - she started a talent management company that represents children. The she moved to this area, and came across a friend who resurrected her love for the roller rink.

``I'm in the kid business,'' DeFilippo added. ``It gives me great pleasure to see these kids start skating when they can't even walk.''

DeFilippo teaches about six classes a week on inline and roller skates from beginner to advanced, tiny tot to adult.

A 10-week class averages $60.

``It's such a natural out here,'' DeFilippo said. ``A lot of parents come out so they can skate with their children. You can burn 600 calories an hour skating.''

In her classes, DeFilippo says she stresses fun and safety. And she sees in some students her own passion for the sport.

``They're training for pre-competition,'' she says. ``They very well could reach the top.''

The roller figure skating exhibition will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at Mountasia Family Fun Center, 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Saugus. Admission is $5. For information, call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Linda DeFilippo, left, works with six young roller skaters Saturday at the Mountasia Family Fun Center in Santa Clarita.

(2 -- color) Linda DeFilippo coaches 10-year-old Lauren Montague.

(3) Former champion Linda DeFilippo, left, coaches one of her young skating students, 6-year-old Jenna Dennis.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer