CREATING TEAMWORK ON ICE
Synchronized skating in Lakeshore
Three years ago, Lakeshore figure skating coach Jennifer Woodrich noticed she was starting to lose some of her students to hockey. When she asked them and their parents why they were leaving, she was surprised by their answer. “The parents were saying they just really wanted to be involved in a team sport,” she said. “They really wanted that team atmosphere, so I decided to find an answer to the problem.” Woodrich created the Skate Lakeshore Silver Stars, a synchronized skating group. She coaches two teams of girls who are six to 12 years old and another team of 10 to 16 year olds. Synchronized skating, or synchro, involves groups of eight or more skaters performing formations and manoeuvres.
The objective is for the team to perform as one unit executing circles, blocks, lines, wheels and intersections in unison to the music, while demonstrating quality edges, power and flow.
“It’s the only team event we can offer because skating is individual,” Woodrich said. “Synchronized skating is really the equivalent to what Ice Capades used to be.” The Silver Stars enter one competition a year. They perform at numerous community events and have also entertained during a Spitfires games. Team beginners just need a pair of figure skates and some basic skills, such as being able to skate backwards and forwards. The team starts practising in early September and the season runs until March. The fee for the year is $200 per skater. “When we compete the girls really love the beautiful outfits, but during practice we just look like a ragtag team of kids,” Woodrich said. “It’s nice to see when they compete how they shine. Practice may not have always went well, but when they take the ice in front of everyone and perform, they truly shine.” For more information, contact Woodrich at skatelakeshore@hotmail.com.