The Sunshine Coast Skating Club is off to another fabulous start. Spending the first few weeks in North Vancouver under the direction of Karen Magnussen and the likes of Victor Kraatz, the club was more than ready to begin its inaugural summer skating school on the Coast.
The school ran from July 31 to Aug. 18, ending successfully with a great showing by all members at the annual Burnaby summer skate competition. There are already plans in the works to continue and possibly extend the summer school for next year.
Also new to the club this year is the recent addition of the Excel Skating and Performance Academy. By families working with local school principals, vice-principals, counsellors and classroom teachers, on a student-by-student basis, most of the skaters have been able to find ways to balance their passion for skating with their schooling.
These students spend approximately 4.5 hours a week in a specialized skating/training program that includes off-ice instruction, lectures and even homework, to help them attain their goals and dreams of a career in skating. The program currently runs Monday and Wednesday, from 1 to 3:15 p.m. Feel free to approach any member of the executive if you would like more information on this exciting and innovative program.
Returning from Poland and newly married, director of coaching Adam Zalegowski is joined this year with recently arrived director of skating programs, Lesleigh Farr.
Farr is a new addition to the club this season. NCCP Level 3 certified, CanPower certified and with 30 years experience, Farr specializes in interpretive, freeskate, dance, skills and PowerSkate.
She joins forces with Zalegowski (NCCP Level 2 certified, part 3, specializing in interpretive, freeskate and skills); Chantelle Dibley (NCCP Level 1 certified 22, years experience, interpretive, freeskate); and Anita Flay (NCCP Partial Level 1 certified, CanPower certified two years experience, interpretive, freeskate, dance, skills, PowerSkate) who heads the PowerSkating classes.
Also new to the club this year is young Michael Jensen, a previous skating member of the club who has recently acquired his CanSkate certification and partial NCCP Level 1, well on his way to realizing a dream of coaching in his home town.
The club is looking very strong and secure in its coaching staff and abilities.
The club has many activities slated for the year, beginning with a family fun Halloween skate on Oct. 30, the annual Jingle Blades competition held in White Rock in late November, the Christmas Eve extravaganza, as well as many other exciting events and competitions. The club is boasting over 20 competitive skaters this season and plans on doing the Sunshine Coast proud in their representation.
Also on the schedule is the annual ice show, the main fundraiser for the non-profit club. The event this year takes place on April 7, with the theme of skating around the world. Be prepared for fabulous out-of-town guest skaters and the thrill of seeing how all these kids have progressed throughout the season. Tickets will go on sale in late February; get one when you can as seating is limited.
Registration is almost full for the fall session. If you have not registered your child for skating, you can do so at the arena for the next two weeks on Monday or Wednesday during CanSkate hours. Winter registration begins in December. The entire schedule and contact information can be accessed at the District website under the arena programs.
The club is run solely by the good graces of the volunteers who generously donate their time and efforts. If you are interested in a volunteer position in any capacity, contact any board member. We are always happy to welcome new faces!
