Cindy Tymoruski, coaching rep. for the Battlefords Skating Club, was initially scheduled to coach at the biannual workshop, though poor weather conditions inhibited her from being able to attend.
Still, four professional coaches and one amateur coach were on hand to guide more than 30 young figure skaters through on-ice, dance and goal-setting sessions.
Sheila Fazio, skating coach with the P.A. Skating Club, said it’s always a luxury for members to train at the Art Hauser Centre.
“It’s just a fun beginning of the year to get girls motivated and work with skaters from other clubs,” she said. “We were hoping for a few more (entrants) ... But it’s a great kickoff, and that’s why we chose this time.”
The sessions lasted right from the early afternoon into the evening, with three groups of skaters taking turns in each. Prince Albert’s Ballet ‘n’ All That Jazz dance group was responsible for the dance portion of the workshop.
“We’re trying to build our numbers,” Fazio said. “We do have a great program for learning to skate, and from that program they can go to hockey, ringette, speed skating.”
With most of the children being avid skaters, groups were split up according to skill level. The cost was $35 per out-of-town participant, while the city’s Community Grant Program subsidized costs for the members of the P.A. club.
Fazio said the club hopes to hold another workshop at some point in the early part of next year, just in time for competition season.
“We’re always looking for more people who are interested,” Fazio said. “They learn great skills and they learn how to work independently, because it is an individual sport.”
For more information about the Prince Albert Figure Skating club, visit:
www.princealbertskatingclub.ca
alex.dipietro@paherald.sk.ca
