We have had an amazing season so far! The club is proud to have been Rachel Wiebe’s sponsor for ambassador of Nakusp, she is doing a great job.
Our coach has been rated one of the top 10 in Canada, bringing back from her experience new teaching techniques and interesting fun skills. Registration numbers are increasing. Just last week we had three new skaters register. Currently we have 57 skaters who have all been working hard and improving their skating skills, passing badges and the Skate Canada tests. In December some of our Star Skaters attended a test day in Revelstoke and passed dances that they were working on.
Next season if our registration is as high we will be splitting the classes as it is difficult to coach 32 skaters in a 45-minute session. This will be a benefit to the skaters so they receive more individual attention.
On Jan. 8, Kiley Waterfield, Danielle Aeichele and Kimberly Hill attended the Rossland Mini competition. This was Kiley’s first competition and she skated in the “Performance” category. Kiley earned a Bronze ribbon, a certificate of participation and was given an evaluation from all the judges. This category is new this year–in the past it was called Pre-Elementary. Danielle competed in Pre-Preliminary Freeskate and placed 5th. Kimberly competed in Sr. Bronze Skills, earning a silver medal and Jr. Bronze Freeskate, placing 5th.
On Jan. 22, Jessica Zorn, Maddy Palmer and Rachel Wiebe will be attending the Regional Figure Skating competition in Beaver Valley.
Our club is excited at the prospect of Nakusp winning the Kraft Hockeyville competition, what a great boost to Nakusp that would be. Just think of what could be done with $100,000 to our arena! Get on the website and vote Nakusp!
We are taking part in the Nakusp Minor Hockey’s “Hockey Day in Canada” on Feb. 12 with an informal show of what the skaters learn from Tots up to Senior Star Skaters. Come out watch what the skaters do during lessons.
On Feb. 27 we are holding our annual spring carnival. We always get a great turnout from the community and appreciate the support. It promises to be a great show, see you at the RINK!
Valerie Hill, Nakusp Figure Skating Club President
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The Nakusp Figure Skating Club has had a successful season so far offering Tiny Tots, CanSkate and STARSkate Programs. The club has seen an increase in numbers in the club again this season, which is exciting to see as numbers have gone up in the club each year for the past four years and many clubs in the area are having their numbers decline.
It’s been an exciting season for me as a coach to meet all the new skaters in the club this season and seeing the improvement in the new skaters and the returning skaters from past seasons.
Highlights this season have included hosting the West Kootenay Development Camp in Nakusp in October which brought together close to 40 STARSkaters from Revelstoke, Nakusp, Castlegar, Nelson, Beaver Valley, Rossland and Creston Clubs for a day long on ice and off ice training camp. Skaters in the CanSkate program have been working hard at earning badges and improving their skills. I have been putting together special Theme Days about once or twice a month for skaters in the CanSkate program. Some fun theme days so far have included a Halloween Party, Bring a Friend Day, Backwards Day, Sports Station Day and a Pyjama Day. Upcoming Theme Days to look forward to are: Birthday Party Day, Valentine’s Day Party and a Beach Party Day on ice.
The Clubs STARSkaters have participated in the Rossland Mini and Kootenay Regionals Competitions in addition to an up coming competition in Penticton. Skaters have also been working on Skate Canada tests and have tested in Revelstoke so far this season. I am looking forward to hopefully being able to host a Skate Canada STARSkate Test Day in Nakusp in March. This would be the first test day held in Nakusp in a number of years.
All in all it has been a fantastic first half of the season at the club and I am looking forward to an even better second half. The club has an amazing group of volunteers and an even more amazing group of skaters that are a pleasure to work with.
Sabrina Hinson
Head Coach
Nakusp Figure Skating Club