Skating registration still ongoing

Times Reporter   

 

The Strathmore Skating Club has all five of their programs still open to the public; the season runs from Sept. to April, after which, competitions begin.

“There’s a list of places around Alberta that they can go and compete,” said Brenda Struiksma, president of the club. “Some they have to qualify, and some they have to enter. It depends; at the beginning of the year, we’ll have a meeting at the end of Sept. for the parents and we’ll decide as a group which ones we’ll go to.”

Their five programs include: CanSkate for children ages three in up wishing to learn the sport’s fundamentals, Junior Development which is a little more advanced (for agers 7 and up), and Senior Development for advanced skaters. Depending on what their skill level is, age is not really an issue for the latter program.

The remaining two options are Pre-Power Skate and Power Skate, which prepares children for the upcoming hockey and ringette seasons. These camps usually occur in Aug. and Dec.

Roughly 80 kids are involved in the CanSkate program, and 20 in the junior and senior programs. Boys are allowed in the CanSkate, but the upper programs are reserved for young girls.

Three coaches and one dance partner teach the figure skaters, including head coach Lindsey Woodcock, who was involved with the program in her youth.

“To be a coach for figure skating, you have to go through training, and be certified. She has also competed nationally,” Struiksma said.

Registration is always encouraged and ongoing; contact strathmoreskatingclub@gmail.com if interested.