Test Days
For an updated list of Test Days for the Northern Ontario Section, please go to the Northern Ontario Section site and click on the "Events" link.

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Competitions
For an updated list of all competitions, please go to the Northern Ontario Section site and click on the "Events" link.

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Volunteers
Volunteers are a vital part of our club. WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS, ALL ACTIVITIES DEVOTED TO OUR CHILDREN WOULD COLLAPSE ! Of course, skating clubs are not unique in this situation. Guides and Brownies, Scouts and Cubs, Minor Hockey, Baseball, Lacrosse, etc. - all are experiencing the same problems – too many jobs for too few hands !

The frustrating part of this problem is that skating clubs have so many jobs that require no preparation, no equipment, no experience – just a little of your time, one or two hours a week (or even once a month) will make a difference !

Somebody has to register your child. Somebody has to prepare the advertising flyer that appears in the local newspaper. Somebody has to answer the phone and dispense information when you call the Club phone. Somebody has to play music during free skate, dance, or solo programs. Somebody has to call you when there is a schedule change. Somebody has to post information on the Club bulletin board. Somebody has to prepare the monthly newsletter. Somebody has to sew and fit all of the costumes for our annual Carnival. Who are these "Somebodys" ? VOLUNTEERS ! These things don't just magically happen - volunteers make them happen.

Everyone can invent an excuse as to why they cannot help. As in most organisations,  the minority does most of the work and the majority does little. Please, don't be part of that majority. Help us and help your children - volunteer some of your time.

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Skating Terms
FREESKATING is a term applied to such movements in skating as jumps, spins, spirals, etc. It is quite separate from dance and requires separate lessons. With respect to free skating, it isn’t only what movements a skater can perform (technical) that counts, but the way the movements are performed (artistic). There are five free skating tests: Preliminary, Junior Bronze, Senior Bronze, Junior Silver, Senior Silver and Gold.

STROKING is a push-off and glide sequence used to build speed and endurance in free skating.

Figure skating is defined in terms of “EDGES”. The bottom of a figure skating blade is ground into the shape of a hollow arc, and the "points" of the arc are what actually touch the ice. These "points" are called edges, and each skate blade has 2 of them -- the “inside edge”, and the “outside edge”. On the skater’s left foot, the right side of the blade would be the “inside edge” (the inside of the foot).

In DANCE, a couple skates together in various dance positions. For good progress, separate lessons are required, as in free skating. Unfortunately, most clubs have too few boys. Dances have a set pattern to music that is of a specified type and tempo. For test purposes, these are divided into seven Dance tests: Preliminary (Dutch Waltz, Canasta Tango, Baby Blues), Junior Bronze (Swing Dance, Fiesta Tango, Willow Waltz), Senior Bronze (Ten-Fox, Fourteen-step, European), Junior Silver (Keats Foxtrot, Harris Tango, American Waltz, Rocker Foxtrot), Senior Silver (Paso Doble, Starlight, Blues, Kilian) Gold (Viennese Waltz, Westminster Waltz, Quickstep, Argentine Tango) and Diamond (Tango Romantico, Ravensburger Waltz, Yankee Polka, Rumba). There are also Interpretative (Silver and Gold), Bronze Rhythm, and Variation dance tests (for quite advanced skaters).

PAIRS SKATING is performed by a couple who skate in unison. They may not perform all the same moves, but they give the impression that they are in harmony with one another. In contrast to Dance, Pairs Skating has lifts and jumps. There are five Pair Skating tests: Juvenile Pre-Novice, Novice, Junior and Senior.

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING involves a team of twelve or more skaters performing various group manoeuvres and formations in a synchronized routine set to music. The skaters may be male and/or female and the music may be vocal or instrumental.

ARTISTIC skating emphasizes skating to a theme and musical interpretation. There are four tests: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Masters.

FOURS is a team of four skaters representing the club at Interclub competition. Each skater performs a different skill and is then scored with the highest team total winning.

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Instruction
GROUP LESSONS
Group instruction is provided in the Learn to Skate, Pre-junior, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Programs. These lessons are given by one of the Professional Coaches. Some children learn well in a group, while others do not. If your child is not making as much progress as others are in the group, try to analyze the reason objectively, without putting unreasonable blame on the instructor. Some children are able to do useful practice without supervision right from the start. Others won’t practice carefully even when a parent is watching. Try to encourage your child to practice what he or she is taught in the group. Alternatively, you might consider private lessons.

PRIVATE LESSONS
A child at any level can receive private lessons. When your child has mastered the problem of balance, and can stroke freely and evenly, private instruction might be beneficial. The best sign that your child is ready for private lessons is when he or she is trying to copy what the more advanced skaters are doing. A child will improve at a much faster pace with private lessons than without. Private or semi-private lessons must be arranged with the Coach of your choice. Fees are paid directly to the coaches upon receipt of their statements. Feel free to discuss your child’s progress with his or her professional coach. Generally, a fair number of private lessons are required to prepare for Skate Canada Tests.

CHOOSING A COACH
All coaches are different: in qualifications, ideas, methods and interests. Watch the coaches as they work on ice (their enthusiasm and that of their students). Once you’ve narrowed the choices to one or two coaches, ask around. Do they encourage competition and trying tests? Do the kids like him or her? What about the fees?  When you’ve made a choice, speak to the coach personally, giving them as much information about your child as it relates to skating. Good communication is essential. It helps the coach in dealing with the child and the skater learns faster. Consider yourselves a team - Skater, Coach and Parents. Together establish goals that are attainable and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

PROGRAM ASSISTANTS
Skating clubs rely greatly on the co-operation and assistance of their volunteer Program Assistants. These skaters are trained to assist with the instruction of Canskate, Pre-Junior and Junior members. Their role is that of leader, model and counsellor - they must be reliable and punctual. Program Assistants must be knowledgeable about and able to demonstrate the Canskate, Pre-Junior and Junior Skills. They must be able to deal effectively with skaters, other coaches and club officials.

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Skaters' Code of Conduct
1.      Please respect the authority of the Professional Coaches and the rights of other
         skaters.
2.      Please keep noise to a minimum, as it is distracting to other skaters.
3.      Chasing games are allowed only under coaches’ supervision.
4.      Food, drinks and gum are not allowed on ice.  Water bottles will be permitted at
         the players’ bench.
5.      Only authorised persons and skaters may enter the ice surface. Boots are NOT
           ALLOWED on the ice at ANY time.
6.      Skate guards must be worn in the lobby at all times,
7.      Discipline problems will be dealt with by the Session Supervisor on duty or by
         the Professional Coaches. Offenders may be asked to leave the ice.
8.      The Music room is out-of-bounds to all except those authorized by the Music
         Chairperson to play music. Every effort will be made to play a skater’s solo
         music at least once per session. Skaters are requested to refrain from asking for
         their music. Rotating solo lists are posted in the music room.
 9.      Parents are requested NOT to interrupt or speak to the instructors while they
          are on the ice.
10.     TESTS    a)   All test applications must be approved by the skater’s coach
                            before that skater may try a test.
                        b)  Test applications and fees should be turned in to the Test
                             Chairperson or private coach one week prior to test day.  No
                             tests will be permitted if amounts due to the club are unpaid.
11.     Only club members are allowed to compete in Club and Interclub competitions.
12.     It is your responsibility to watch the Bulletin Board and Newsletters for possible
          ice schedule changes.
13.     There is a per-session guest skater fee for Freeskate or Dance as noted in the
          current Fees Schedule.
14.     Please do not leave money or valuables unattended in the dressing rooms.

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Next Board of Directors Meeting - to be announced

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