Competition Basics for Parents & Skaters

There are many competitions offered throughout the year and your coach can help you decide what events will be best for your skater.

Competitions should be a fun and positive experience for skaters and their parents. Through our experience we have found these tips to be helpful to both parents and skaters:

1. Registration forms are usually available in the RFSC office. The forms are the parent's responsibility to fill out and send in (check deadline). Check for all necessary signatures. Many competitions now have online registration.
2. If it is an out of town competition, make hotel reservations early.
3. As soon as you receive your competition skating schedule, please give a copy to your coach.
4. Talk to your coach about competition attire. Dresses/outfits should appropriately fit the skater's level, music etc. If possible, skate in the outfit at least once before the competition. A zip front sweater or jacket is ideal for warm-up.
5. Hair should be pulled back away from the face. Practice fixing hair in advance and also skate with it at least once while you are jumping, spinning, etc. to make sure it will stay in place.
6. Ask your coach about make-up. Arena lights can sometimes make a skater look ‘washed out’ so a bit of blush & lipstick is nice for the girls.
7. Make sure your skates are polished and your laces clean.
8. Give an extra copy of your skaters music to your coach. This needs to be available at rinkside in case of problems with the original copy.

Once you arrive at the competition:

1. The first thing you should do is go to the registration desk, turn in your CD`s and receive any updated information.
2. Practice ice is sometimes included in your fee, but more commonly not. It can be arranged in advance or purchased at the registration desk. Music generally cannot be played on practice ice.
3. Know your surroundings and if possible "place" your program on the rink you will be competing on.
4. Arrive at least one hour before your event is scheduled.
5. Locate where results will be posted and check your skating order. The order in the program is not the official skating order. Result sheets are available for purchase at the registration desk after your skaters event.
6. Check in with the ice monitor, usually located where skaters enter and leave the ice.
7. Discuss with your coach how and when to warm up.
8. Always enter and exit the ice as if it is the best you have ever skated. Don't forget to smile!
9. If you are in a "half-ice" competition and someone else is skating on the other end, it is courteous to wait until they are finished before you skate off the ice.
10. Most competitions offer DVD`s for purchase as well as action photos of your skaters event. Look for the ordering table in the vendor area.
11. In the vendor area there are also often dresses, tights, gloves, jewelry & other skating needs just in case you are looking for something new or have forgotten to bring something to the competition.
12. Remember that you represent the Rochester Figure Skating Club whenever you participate in a competition. Be supportive of all skaters and especially other skaters from our club.
13. Results are usually posted within half an hour. If you don't understand the result sheets, quietly ask your coach to explain them to you. Remember to show good sportsmanship whether you place or not. Skating is a subjective sport – most importantly HAVE FUN!
14. Finally, remember to pick up your music CD at the registration desk when you are leaving & say thank you to your coach & any volunteers you see. They are there for you to help you enjoy your competition experience.

Things to bring:

·        Skates (don't laugh)

·        Extra laces, screwdriver, jump rope, sewing kit, bandaids

·        Dress bag, soakers, skate guards,

·        Brush/comb, hairspray, scrunchies, hair clips, curling iron, make-up

·        Water, healthy snacks

·        Extra CD of your program

·        Dresses (competition and practice)

·        Sweater, warm-up suit, gloves, tights,

·        Camera, film, video recorder/tapes, batteries

Good Luck!!!

Submitted by Carol Schomburg and Ann Johnson.
Revised 9/10 by Jamie Lynn Santee