The Sundre Skating Club’s annual ice carnival, which this year had a circus theme, officially brought to an end another successful season.
“We always like to end on carnival because it’s so much fun for the skaters,” said coach Lyndsay Stange.
“It’s always ending on a good note.”
The event drew out a larger crowd than the past couple of years. Everything went really well, and the kids did awesome and had a great time, she said.
“That’s what it’s all about — for them to perform and demonstrate the skills they’ve learned, as well as have fun doing it.”
Performing in front of friends and family can be a really intimidating factor, but the pressure did not get to them, she said.
“They rocked it — I’m proud of them.”
The carnival also featured some fantastic door prizes as well as raffles, said club president Lamar Tobin. Items were donated by various businesses in Sundre and Olds, with proceeds helping to cover costs such as ice rental, costumes and decorations, as well as plaques and trophies that are handed out after the year-end event. About $600 was raised this year, she said.
Including the Can Skate group of little ones who are still learning, as well as the figure skaters, the club had about 35 members this year, said Stange.
“The season has been very good.”
The Sundre Skating Club also recently participated at a meet in Cremona on March 9, where members of five groups including Sundre participated in a fun skate competition.
The local skaters “did exceptionally well” and all brought home gold and silver medals, she said, adding that for many of the less experienced skaters, it was their first opportunity to take part in a fun meet.
“Many of the skaters are young and just starting out — it was a good chance to introduce them to more competitive atmosphere.”
Stange, whose mom Brenda also coaches, has been skating with the club since she was about 13 years old and has since become involved as an instructor.
Once skaters graduate from the Can Skate program into the club’s figure skating component, they start to develop new skills such as learning how to skate with posture as well as jumping and spinning, she said.
“Many of them have accomplished introduction to jumps and spins,” she said, adding they had to pass examinations that test those elements of figure skating.
The organization is doing well, but would not turn away a volunteer with background experience in skating who might be interested in helping out, the coach said.
She expressed appreciation to sponsors as well as everyone who has offered help or came out to support events.
“We couldn’t do it without them.”
The club is already looking ahead to next season, and will have a booth at the annual registration night in September at the Sundre Community Centre, with hopes of getting started as early as possible.
“We usually start at the beginning of October,” she said, adding she plans to continue coaching with the club.
“We’re on the ice as soon as we can.”
