Members of the Innisfail Figure Skating Club are skillfully spinning, jumping and dancing through a 52nd season – gearing up for ongoing competition and this year's annual carnival.
“We start a fall school in September for the older skaters. Then right after Thanksgiving weekend we start our skating lessons and practices,” said Linda Paré, president of the Innisfail Figure Skating Club.
The club is now in its 52nd year in Innisfail and welcomes both boys and girls who want to learn to figure skate. Members must be three years of age or older to join and many of them often continue with the club until they are in college or university, noted Paré.
The club has a total of six coaches and 66 skaters this year, all of different ages and levels who learn a variety of techniques, spins, jumps and dance moves, among other elements.
“Our little people learn how to stand up and move on skates. They learn the basics,” said Paré. “Then they go into CanSkate (level) and they learn how to skate forwards and backwards, balance and agility,” she said, noting that some of the members taking lessons move into hockey at that level. “If you take the CanSkate program you'll be a better hockey player.”
Throughout the season members also participate in competitions and skating tests.
“We just finished a low (level) skating test on December 18th. That was for the kids that were doing their first tests and for the higher (levels) we have a test coming up on January 26th in Sylvan Lake,” said Paré, noting that skaters are judged on their skills and ability.
“They're marked and they're given a grade,” she said. “You have to be satisfactory or better in everything or you don't (pass) your test, you redo it.”
Paré said a majority of skaters who belong to the Innisfail Figure Skating Club are committed to the sport and their enthusiasm shows on the ice.
“Our season is getting better and better. The kids are moving forward, they're having a great time and they're loving it,” said Paré. “With the new program, they're run like a circuit in CanSkate which keeps them all moving all the time on the ice.”
One other focus for the skating club right now is its season-end annual carnival coming up on March 12.
Paré said the carnival is an opportunity for skaters to showcase their talents and what they have learned throughout the year.
“Our theme (for the carnival) this year is colours. All of the kids do different numbers and the girls will do solos, and we're going to have a dress rehearsal the Friday before,” said Paré. “It's a chance for the kids to show off to their parents and grandparents, family and the public. It's a lot of fun and is always a good show.”
For more information visit www.innisfailskatingclub.com
Linda Paré
"Our season is getting better and better. The kids are moving forward, they're having a great time and they're loving it. With the new program, they're run like a circuit in CanSkate which keeps them all moving all the time on the ice."
