February2006

Synchro 101

by PJ Kwong

Skating together with some of the best friends that you will ever have…. working together…sharing the “life” experiences of success and defeat…. sound like fun? You bet!

Welcome to the world of Synchronized Skating…a relative newcomer to the world of figure skating and one that I would have loved to be a part of as a skater. It has been recognized as a discipline within the International Skating Union and boasts many international events including an annual World Challenge Cup for Juniors and, since 2000, an ISU World Championship for Seniors. The burgeoning popularity of this sport worldwide is undeniable with Canada considered a frontrunner in innovation and creativity.

Simply put, skaters participate in Synchronized skating by joining a team at either the Festival or the Competitive levels. In many places, the skaters audition or try out for places on these teams. The goal, for lots of the teams is to compete at a national level and, in the case of the competitive teams, to also vie for spots at international competitions and a place on Canada’s National Team. The criteria for inclusion on a team often comes down to age requirements for each individual category, skating ability as exemplified by achievement of Skate Canada StarSkate test levels and performance at the “try outs”

Once a team has been formed and the music is selected, costumes organized and scheduling put in place, it is time to get down to the task at hand: namely the synchronization of skaters as they perform elements including blocks, lines, wheels, circles and intersections. The programs are enhanced by intricate footwork and transitions and it is the job of the judges to evaluate these aspects and come up with the results at competitions at every level.

At the higher levels you will often see group lifts, elements in isolation as well as synchronized spins. The fact that these skaters stay upright and execute such difficult choreography while maintaining their speed and often their positions within their group formation without holding on to one another is really quite dramatic and should be experienced “live” at every possible opportunity!

For those of us lucky enough to be close geographically to Hamilton, ON, the 2006 BMO Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships will be taking place at Copps Coliseum on March 2 – 5, 2006. I can tell you from experience that the fans are second to none, the atmosphere is raucous yet warm and the skating AMAZING…. give yourself a treat and check it out!

Introducing our “Pin Bear-er”

This soft cuddly bear is not only a good luck bear, but also a great way to keep all the special skating pins you collect at competitions, and events!

Introducing New EXCLUSIVE Products for all you Synchronized Skaters!

Olympics Memories Contest

In our January issue, Deanna described her first Olympic memory. February will be filled with Olympic coverage. PJ Kwong, author of may of our newsletter articles, will be rink side at the Olympics and will be forwarding tales of her experiences and observations, so check out our home page www.dresswright.com for the latest info!

Share you Olympic Memories with us! Click info@dresswright.com to send us your favourite memory or share your opinions! We will start posting stories on our home page and after the Olympics are over, we will send the winning entry a $50.00 Dress Wright On Ice Gift Card! (It will be a random draw – made Tuesday February 28,at noon, EST).

Check out TSN’s Olympic coverage by clicking on www.tsn.ca

Good Luck, Skate Hard - 'tll next time!

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