Synchronized Skating

Synchronized Skating adds a dynamic dimension to the world of recreational and competitive skating. An exciting team sport, it involves a group of eight or more skaters who perform choreographed routines to music. The challenge of synchronized skating for coaches and skaters in the importance of "UNISON" and the accuracy of its manoeuvres and formations; the sate of being precise, lines must be straight, heads facing the same directions, free legs matching and synchronized in time to the music.

As in other figure skating disciplines, both the technical and artistic elements are important. The combination of creative choreography, appealing music and attractive costumes make synchronized a great sport for participants and spectators. A focus on fun, participation, friendly competition and lifetime involvement is responsible for synchronized skating's phenomenal growth.

Synchronized Skating has generated enthusiastic team spirit and club loyalties in a sport that traditionally has been a singles oriented sport. Synchronized skating offers and avenue of opportunity for the average club skater to participate as a team member of the National and International Levels, meet and develop friendships with skaters from other areas, countries and cultures and to develop a better understanding and tolerance of people with cultures and customs that differ from their own.

Skate Canada has, over the year, developed and introduced into the system programs aimed at encouraging the participation of skaters from the learning to skate through to the adult levels. The competing teams vary in age and size. Canada has, at present, several hundred synchronized teams participating in five different categories, both at the recreational and at the competitive levels. Competitions can be "invitational" or "qualifying". Each Section in Canada holds championship event. Teams placing first to third quality to enter a National Championship. Several "invitational" competitions are held across the county each year. Winterfest, held in Central Ontario Section, is one of the most prestigious events.

BENEFITS OF A CLUB
SYNCHRONIZED SKATING PROGRAM

- PROVIDES RECREATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SKATERS OF ALL LEVELS

- IS A TEAM SPORT, WHICH ATTRACTS PARTICIPANTS WHO PERHAPS ENJOY AND BETTER RESPOND WITHIN A TEAM ATMOSPHERE

- ENHANCES SINGLE SKATERS' DEVELOPMENT BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SKATING AND CHOREOGRAPHY

- ENABLES MALES AND FEMALES TO PARTICIPATE ON THE SAME TEAM

- PROMOTES CLUB LOYALTY AS THE SKATERS REPRESENT A TEAM WITHIN A CLUB

- INCREASES THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE SKATING CLUB

- REDUCES THE COST PER INDIVIDUAL

- KEEPS SKATERS IN SKATING

INTRODUCING
A SYNCHRONIZED SKATING PROGRAM

PROMOTING THE PROGRAM:
- Invite a team to perform in your club carnival or club fun day
- Invite a team to do a demonstration at your club competition
- Invite a team(s) to participate in your interclub competition
- Show a synchronized skating video at Registration Day
- Have an on ice synchronized skating information session
- Have a parent and skater information night
- Invite a team to perform at your club's "Gala"

STARTING THE PROGRAM:
- Recruit an enthusiastic committee (three to start with)
- Set goals and objectives
- Consider a regional team
- Establish financial policies
- Establish membership / registration guidelines
- Strike a management committee
- Hire a coach (should be part of the management team)
- Set first year goals
- Select the team

CANSYNCHROSKATE:
This learn to synchro skate program teaches the basics of synchronized skating such as formations, manoeuvres and holds, in a team environment. Four levels of skills are learned and as the team completes each level successfully a certificate is rewarded. All you need to get started is a team of eight skaters or more with a general skating ability at around the CANSKATE Novice level. This program can be used as a separate session or scheduled as a part of the CANSKATE session.