Figure skating equipment can be purchased at several locations in Alberta. A few of the stores are listed below: Edmonton: United Cycle Pro Skate Professional Skate Service Red Deer: Toe Picks Skating Supplies Figure Skating Basics Calgary: Professional Skate Service Lacombe Figure Skating Club A resource booklet for skaters entering the Primary Test and STARSkate Programs. Box 5087 Lacombe AB T4L 1W7 Lacombe Figure Skating Club For more information on our club, go to: www.skatelacombe.ca Resource material for this booklet was obtained from the following websites: www.skatecanada.ca figureskating.about.com www.iskateriedell.com Booklet updated 9.14.2012
What is Primary Test The Lacombe Figure Skating Club has developed the Primary Test Program to help skaters transition from Canskate to the STARSkate program. Basic skills learned in Canskate are reviewed and built upon as skaters learn new figure skating techniques. Primary Test is taught in a group lesson format and shares the ice with the STARSkate program. Lessons are taught by Professional Coaches, and each lesson contains group instruction time followed by practice time. We strongly encourage skaters to book private or semi-private lessons from our Coaches to further enhance their skating abilities. L F S C The program introduces skaters to all disciplines of figure skating freeskate, dance, interpretive and skating skills. It is an excellent opportunity for skaters to achieve personal growth and development in a group atmosphere. Our goal is to ensure that skaters gain skill and confidence and are ready to take Preliminary level Skate Canada tests at the end of the season. Our hope is that this booklet will answer many of your questions as you and your child enter this new phase of the sport. Please contact us if you have any questions. L F S C Skating Skills SKATING SKILLS combines edges, turns, stops, balance, flow, speed, and rotational movement in a progressive series of exercises. The exercises or skills build upon one as the skater progresses from one level to the next. The objective of the Skating Skills program is mastery of the fundamental movements of skating first introduced in the Canskate program edge quality, control, power and speed. There are 6 Skating Skills Tests in the STARSkate program: Preliminary, Jr Bronze, Sr Bronze, Jr Silver, Sr Silver and Gold. Test Days and Competitions L F S C Throughout the season, skaters have the opportunity to participate in Test Days and Competitions. Information on these events will be posted as it becomes available. Check the club bulletin board and website often! The cost for participating in these events varies. However, it does include entry fees/test fees and additional coaching fees. These costs are separate from the club registration fee paid at the start of the season. Please contact our Club Coaches with any questions. 1 10
Dance ICE DANCE combines specific steps, edges, and turns in a series of compulsory patterns. Skaters dance to specific music with a prescribed tempo, and utilize speed, flow, rhythm and timing. There are 6 levels of dance ranging from Preliminary to Gold. As well, many skaters continue on to perform dances at the 7 th level of Diamond Dance. The most commonly performed dances are: Preliminary Dutch Waltz, Canasta, Baby Blues Jr. Bronze Swing Dance, Fiesta, Ten Fox, Sr. Bronze Ten Fox, Fourteenstep, European Jr. Silver Keats Foxtrot, Harris Tango, American Waltz, Rocker Foxtrot Sr. Silver Starlight Waltz, Paso Doble, Kilian, Blues, Cha Cha Congelado Gold Viennese Waltz, Westminster Waltz, Quickstep, Argentine Tango, Silver Samba Interpretive The INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM is an avenue of skating used to encourage and develop skaters' creativity, expression, musicality, movement, and interpretation of music. Each program is choreographed around a main theme or concept. Skaters use different levels of space, rhythm, line and style to express the theme of the program. This encourages them to tap into their creativity and perform their programs rather than just focusing on the technical elements of the sport. Getting Ready For Before the season begins, skaters need to make sure they have the required clothing and equipment. Clothing: The Rink It is important that skaters wear clothing that is both warm and allows for good mobility. At this stage, girls most often wear skating skirts and/or dresses, beige tights, and sweaters. Boys wear track pants and sweaters. Wearing layers is the key. When the weather turns really cold, and skaters need extra warmth, they can wear stretchy pants that taper to the ankle. Avoid baggy or flared pants that blades can get caught in. Helmets are not required; however, skaters may choose to wear helmets until they re comfortable without them. Hair is to be pulled back away from the face as it can affect the balance and the ability of skaters to see their surroundings. There are 4 Interpretive Tests in the STARSkate Program: Introductory, Bronze, Silver and Gold. 9 2
Skates: Figure skates are necessary at this level. The skates have two key components: the boot and the blade. The Boot Traditionally, figure skating boots were made from many layers of leather. In recent years, synthetic materials with heat moldable linings have been popular because they combine strength with lighter weight. The Blade When viewed from the side, the blade of a figure skate is curved slightly, forming an arc of a circle. There are two edges inside and outside with a hollow in between. The depth of the hollow determines how sharp the blade is. A deeper hollow results in a sharper blade that grips the ice better. A shallower hollow results in a blade that glides over the ice better. The saw-like teeth at the end of the blade are known as toe picks. They are necessary for proper balance and the execution of spins, jumps, and footwork. What s Involved In A Session Our skating sessions include instruction on all 4 disciplines of figure skating: Freeskate, Dance, Skating Skills, and Interpretive. Freeskate FREESKATE is the most well-known discipline the one most often seen on TV. It includes jumps, spins, stroking and field movements. Jumps vary according to the direction and edge of takeoff, and range from single jumps (introduced at this level) to very difficult double and triple jumps. Spins vary according to the body position and the edge used. The 3 main positions are sit, camel and upright. Stroking is also introduced during freeskate sessions skaters work on flow, balance, speed, turns, and correct use of their edges. These skills are essential as skaters begin to work on individual freeskate programs (commonly referred to as solos ). This angled view of the blade shows the toe pick and the hollow between the edges. A freeskate solo is a choreographed program to music that includes jumps and spins connected by stroking, footwork, and field movements. Typically, skaters will be given their own solo once they can consistently perform basic jumps and spins. There are 6 Freeskate Tests in the STARSkate Program Preliminary, Jr Bronze, Sr Bronze, Jr Silver, Sr Silver and Gold. Skaters can also compete in various freeskate competitions throughout year. 3 8
Ongoing Care Buying Skates Skates are an investment. Here are a few pointers on ongoing skate care. Skate Care Use skate guards when not on the ice. Remember to remove the guards when the skates are stored. After a skating session, use a towel or chamois to dry the blades and the bottom of the boots. This will help to prevent rust on the blade. At night, take the skates out of the bag and open them up so they can dry out. This will eliminate odors and help boots keep their support longer. Sharpening Tips For Buying Skates We strongly recommend buying skates from a figure skating shop that specializes in this equipment. A list of shops can be found on the back page of this booklet. If that is not an option, do some research and learn about the different kinds of skates available. Until recently, most figure skaters bought boots and blades separately. Now, boot and blade combination packages are available for beginning and intermediate level skaters. The bottom pick must not be taken off during sharpening. The pick is part of the design and is important for proper balance and skill execution. A sharp blade feels smooth. A blade that needs sharpening will have nicks, bumps or notches on the edges. How often do blades need to be sharpened? This depends on how often the skater skates, how hard he/she skates, and how well the blades are taken care of. To ensure the blades are sharpened correctly, take them to a figure skating shop. Skates come in a wide variety of styles and strengths. The size and strength of the skater, and level at which he/she is working, will determine the strength of the boot. At the Primary Test and entry STARSkate levels, buying good quality used figure skates is also an option. Many of these skates have been outgrown not worn out. Make sure that boots fit well and have sufficient ankle support, and the blades have some sharpening life left. Inexpensive skates sold at sporting good stores may draw some buyers. Remember that you get what you pay for. When going to buy new skates, be prepared to spend at least an hour for the fitting. Have the skater wear similar clothing (tights and skirt/shorts) as he/she would during a regular skating session. That way, you have a there a better view of the legs and feet during the fitting. 7 4
During the fitting, have the skater walk around for at least 10 minutes with the skates on. This will allow for time to get used to the fit and feel of the skates. Skates are an investment, so the right fight is really important. New boots will feel stiff when they are first worn. Remember that the boots will break-in and soften as they are used. Products such as moleskin and gel ankle supports can be used to ease the early discomfort. Tips For Correct Sizing Here are a few tips to help you check on correct sizing: Toes, Heels, and Ankles There needs to be some wiggle room for the toes inside the boot. The toes will be able to move slightly up and down, and the end of the toes will lightly brush the end of the boot. Too much movement of the toes sideways is a sign that the boot may be too wide. Getting The Proper Fit The proper fit of figure skates is essential. A common misconception is that an athlete s skate size will be the same as his/her shoe size. Similar to shoe styles, each brand of skates has different sizing and is unique to the manufacturer. Buy skates that fit now. Skates that are sized too big, in the hope that they will fit the skater for more than one season, can cause discomfort, poor support and possibly lead to injury. If skates are too big, a skater s foot will move in the boot potentially causing blisters, callouses, etc. If the skates are too small, issues such as corns, bunions, and heel growths may develop. Essentially, the boot must fit like a glove. FUN FACT Did you know when you figure skate, you are actually skating on a thin film of water, not ice? As your blade glides over the ice, it melts the ice because of the pressure created between the blade and the ice. Once the blade has moved, the ice freezes again. Too much pressure on the toes may indicate that the boot is too short or that a boot with a wider toe box is needed. The heel must sit comfortably in the heel area to provide maximum foot control. You do not want the heel to slip or move. Check the ankle area. Does the skate fit comfortably and properly around the ankle? Does it provide enough support? Length and Width Look at the foot. Does it rest easily in the boot without putting too much pressure on the toes? To check the length, have the skater slide his/her foot all the way forward in the boot while keeping the toes flat. Insert your index finger behind the heel. If you can fit more than 1 finger width behind the heel, the boot may be too long. Some manufacturers recommend only being able to fit ½ finger width behind the heel. Skates also come in many different widths, so sometimes instead of going longer, the skate needs to be wider. 5 6