Welcome To The World of Figure Skating Competitions!

Competitions are great fun for skaters and a great experience too. It is an opportunity for them to show all the great skills they have learned and meet other skaters from other clubs at their level. All local competitions use the same calculation system as at international competitions (OBO, which stands for One-By-One). With the exception of Section (BC and Yukon) Championships and other high level competitions, marks are not displayed at the conclusion of each skater's performance. A system of closed or semi-closed marking is used instead and these marks are not published. Only the judges placements are posted along with the final results.

So, now that your coach has approached you about entering a competition, it’s time to get organized.

How to Enter a Competition

Each competition has an entry form that will ask you to fill out basic personal information, your skater’s Skate Canada registration number and indicate which category your skater will be competing in. Your coach will tell you what category to register for.

Go to the club bulletin board and look for the competition announcement. Find out where and when the competition is. Check if there are finals for your skater’s level and note when they are.

Rule of Thumb: If you plan to attend your sister’s dinner party, your skater will make it to finals and you will be at the rink instead.

Submit the completed entry form and cheque for the entry fee into the envelope provided in the music room for the competition (unless specified, it is always payable to the competition -- see the competition announcement). Also include a photocopy of your skater’s birth certificate for the competition chair to verify age requirements. They will keep this on file for future competitions.

Once the competition registrar receives all the entries, skaters in each level are divided into groups. Closer to the date of the competition you will receive by mail information listing: the name of event and group number that your skater is competing in. Pay careful attention to the group number as not all groups may be run together on the same day. If a schedule is not included, there will be one posted at the arena on the bulletin board. Inform your coach of the group that your skater is in so they can plan their schedule accordingly.

Now that you have entered the competition, it is time to answer that all important question:

What To Wear??

Your coach will probably have some suggestions, but if they aren’t too particular or forthcoming, go by these guidelines:

Consider the music your child is skating to. A bright pink dress to “Greensleeves” just seems a bit odd and something with light puffy sleeves just doesn’t jive with techno.

Look at ready made dresses for ideas and ask other parents if they have any suggestions. There is usually someone in the stands with some sewing savvy that has an eye for dress design.

Consider your child’s colouring and what looks good on the ice. Stronger colours are always a safe bet. Softer colours can work well, although pale peachy skin tones, greys and browns generally look dead on the ice.

Remember that they have to jump and spin in this outfit. While puffy sleeves and multi-layered skirts can look pretty, consider the weight. Heavy skirts can take on a life of their own in a spin or jump and there is nothing worse that sleeves that obscure vision when the skater raises their arms by their head! For boys, make sure the crotch doesn’t sit too low once they have hooked the pant hems under the skates. These pants look funny and feel even stranger to skate in. (Want to know a sewing trick popular in Montreal? If you are really having a sagging crotch problem, half way down the center back seam attach an elastic that goes down to the crotch seam. Guaranteed to keep things pulled up although no word on how comfortable this solution is to the wearer!)

The weight and amount of embellishments should not exceed the weight of the dress or the skater. Outfits that “drip” with beads and rhinestones and sequins usually overpower the skater. Sometimes a simple piece of sparkly braid around the neck, or cuffs, for example, is all they need. Just enough to make it special. Whatever you choose, just ensure that everything is securely sewn (not glued) on so that it doesn’t fall on the ice.

Test Drive the Outfit. Have your skater try out the dress or outfit on a practice session prior to the competition to ensure that everything looks and works the way it should.

Ensure that if sheer fabric is used that it covers the body during all movements. No one wants to expose themselves so ensure that any sheer fabric stays where it should during all stretching movements like spirals and layback spins.

Don’t skimp on the pant area of a dress. While higher cut legs are often more attractive they usually don’t stay in place while skating and the dress doesn’t cover the bum. Obviously that is unattractive to view and uncomfortable to wear. Sewing Tip: When applying elastic to the leg opening, apply it 1:1 over the front section and then stretch it to fit over the bum section.

Consider the Cost: There is a dress for every budget out there particularly at the upper end. If you sew you are definitely at an advantage. Absorbing the labour costs, particularly when it comes to adding sparkle, can save you money. To purchase a ready made dress, you are probably looking in the neighbourhood of $80 and up. Sometimes, it is advantageous to purchase a basic ready made dress and add the sparkle yourself. Your coach and other parents can also recommend sewers in and out of the club to you. Just remember that like skates and the jeans you bought your skater in September, they will grow out of the competition dress soon enough and they won’t get nearly the wear out of the dress as they do the jeans. Many competition dresses (if not too tight) are often retired to practice dresses when their day is done.

Leggings. While some skaters like to only wear a pair or two of nylons, most choose to wear leggings. Leggings that just cover the top of the boot or cover the entire boot are both fine. While there is no rule against stirrups, many people (including some judges) view them as practice wear and find them distracting to the eye. Just remember that if you are wearing the type that doesn’t cover the entire boot, your laces and boots should be clean and polished.

Ensure that underpants are not visible. There is nothing worse than a lovely dress that has flowered underpants sticking out underneath.

Rule of Thumb: If you can’t guarantee that underpants won’t show — don’t wear them at all.

Hair & Makeup. While taking your skater to the hairdresser for an elaborate “up do” prior to their first competition may seem like a great idea (and it sometimes looks lovely), remember that like the dress, they have to jump and spin with whatever is on their head. However the hair is done, it must be well secured to ensure it won’t fall out half way through the program.. While pulling only half the hair back may look great with the dress, the back (if long) still tends to flop about and look messy while they skate. Buns, French Braids and even a neat and tidy pony tail are always a good bet. Makeup wise, don’t overpower young skaters. A bit of colour is all they need and don’t push the issue if they don’t want it.

And, while it generally isn't a problem, please be advised that there are rules regarding attire:

• Men must wear full length trousers; no tights are permitted.
• The use of skin tone fabric should not be excessive and tasteful in placement. (In other words, if taking away the skin tone fabric would mean that the skater would expose themselves and the dress would defy gravity, choose a different design).
• Failure to comply with these regulations will results in a deduction of the skater's presentation mark.

Competition Day — The Checklist

• Skates (laugh, but you’d be surprised what is forgotten)
• Extra Laces (you never know when a break will happen)
• Skate Guards
• Extra Tape or CD of Program (the only tape eaten that day will be yours)
• The Outfit (laugh again, but we have stories)
• Leggings (keep laughing until it is you)
• Club Jacket or sweater and gloves to wear during warmup.
• Toiletries (hairspray, bobby pins, make up etc.)
• Camera and/or Video Camera. Note: Flash photography is NOT permitted during performances but there is a place (with a professional photographer) where you can take pictures.
• Map to Arena(know the route and alternatives to take to get there).
• Extra Change (because your skater will undoubtedly clean out the concession stand once they have skated)
• If you are Traveling By Air: Note that Transport Canada no longer permits skates in carry-on luggage.

If you forget something, there are usually skate shop vendors on site that can help you out with things like guards and laces. But depending on when your skater is scheduled to skate, they may not be open.

Ensure that you are at the Arena at LEAST one hour prior to the scheduled start of your event. Competitions may run ahead of the scheduled time by up to 30 minutes and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are there on time. Use the road reports on the radio to help you avoid traffic problems and allow plenty of time if you are traveling during rush hour and are unfamiliar with the route or how busy it becomes during peak travel times.

At the Competition

• When you get to the arena, look for signs indicating the skaters entrance and directing you to registration.
• Register your skater
• Submit your music to the registration desk. A volunteer will then provide your skater with a competition ribbon (if available) and any other goodies if they have them. They can also help give you an idea of whether the competition is running on schedule.
• Locate the Starting Order for your Group. Skaters in a group are further divided into flights. There is a separate warm-up for each flight of skaters. Determine which flight your skater is in so that you can tell your coach and prepare your warm-up accordingly.
• Locate your Coach. Your coach may be with other skaters that are competing before you. But, be assured they know you are coming and will be there to help you. You can help them out by taking time to start warming up and stretching.
• Do a Proper Warmup. Find a warm place to get your muscles moving and stretched out. Your coach will also help to ensure that you are warm and ready to go. They will also tell you when you should get your skates on and take you down to the dressing rooms.
• Check in with the Starter. The starter is the person who stands by the side of the ice making sure that the right skaters go on the ice at the right time. Periodically they will go down to the dressing room area to see that the next group of skaters are in attendance.

Did you know? All judges are volunteers too. They are not paid locally or internationally

• When it is your turn to skate your program, go out and have a great time! Enjoy the moment and just give it your best effort.
• Don’t forget to smile (and a curtsy or bow at the end to the spectators and judges is always a great way to finish your program).

After You Have Skated

• After your group has skated, the results will be posted. If you are not sure where they are posting results (sometimes they are in the same place as the Starting Orders) ask the volunteer at the Registration Desk. If there are finals for your event, see if you have made the cut. If so, check to see when you are scheduled to skate again. There are often medals and ribbons presented to skaters in the first 6 places at the Pre-Preliminary to Junior Bronze levels. There will be a notice above the results section indicating what the competition policy is. Usually medals and ribbons are presented about 30 minutes following the posting of results at the photographer’s podium. Be sure to congratulate your fellow competitors on their efforts.
• Check out when your fellow club competitors are competing and cheer them on. Show everyone what great spirit our Coquitlam Competitors have!
• Before you leave the arena, remember to pick up your tape from the registration desk!

Always remember to have fun and enjoy the experience of competing. That is what it is all about. You are representing our club when you compete so be sure to show your fellow competitors what a great sportsman you are. It is OK to be disappointed if you don’t skate the best you can. We all can’t be at our best 100% of the time. All anyone expects of you is that you try. No matter what result you receive, your club and your parents are proud of you for trying your best!