SUNDRE – Not only was the Sundre Skating Club recently able to secure vital board positions but the group has also seen the number of registered youth enrolled in its Learn to Skate program approximately double last year.
The more experienced members in the Star Skate program first hit the ice late in September with the Learn to Skate group getting started shortly afterward earlier this month, said Lyndsay Edgar, head instructor.
“We have over 30 kids,” Edgar said about the Learn to Skate group, adding that about doubles the number from last year.
“It’s a huge increase,” she said.
Asked what she might have attributed such a big jump in numbers to, the club’s longtime coach told the Albertan, “The only thing I know is I had one mom at registration said that she’s been talking about our program because it’s so cheap and she was very happy with the outcome of how her kid came along through the year. She said, ‘I’ve been telling everybody.’”
So there certainly seems to be an element of truth to the adage that there is no advertising quite like word of mouth.
Additionally, the club endeavours to be as inclusive as possible and welcomes the most novice of skaters who might never before have even donned a pair of skates.
“We accept them really young,” said Edgar. “They only have to be potty trained to join.”
Also helping to start off the club’s 2024-25 season with promising momentum was a successful annual general meeting on Oct. 8 at the Sundre Arena’s lobby. The club had sought volunteers to take on the positions of treasurer and secretary as well as a rep for the Learn to Skate program.
Edgar was happy to report that none of those positions remain vacant, with the board’s executive now composed of: Nicole Turnbull, president; Alexa Blackhurst, vice-president; Ryan Turnbull, registrar; Megan Brett, treasurer; Kailey Melin, secretary; Edgar, test chair and head instructor; another coach Jen Kagan as well as junior coach Jaycee Clark.
“The board has been wonderful this year. They’re trying to take as much off my plate as possible,” she said. “We’ve had a wonderful board in the past, but we didn’t have enough help. And this year there’s lots of help, and it’s going great.”
Including the Pre Star Skate and Star Skate programs, the club overall has about 50 skaters, she said.
Helping to carry the responsibility of coaching this year will be Kagan, who is a new instructor.
“That’s super exciting, and I’m really glad we have that with the expansion of the club,” said Edgar.
And originally scheduled for October, a mini clinic put on by members of the Carstairs Skating Club that will be demonstrating the basics of synchronized skating has been tentatively rescheduled to Nov. 7 but the date had as of the time Edgar spoke with the Albertan yet to be officially confirmed.
“One of our skaters is a synchronized skater out of Carstairs, and they’re just wanting to promote synchronized skating. So they want to come out and show us what it’s all about and what the kids can learn and do,” she said.
“It’s another aspect of skating that is an opportunity for the girls.”
Other events the club has scheduled include a family skate on Dec. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. during a last day of skating before Christmas that will also be the final chance to register for the Learn to Skate program, with the season picking up again on Jan. 7 ultimately winding up with the annual ice carnival on March 16 followed by the awards night on March 18.
Follow the club's page on social media or email [email protected] for more information about the club and its events as well as activities or to get involved as a volunteer.
