Rhythm & Blades Aspire 3 Team

Details

General Information

General Information

Below is information for anyone interested in skating on a Aspire Synchro (starting level) synchronized skating team. Come join the fun!

A synchronized skating team performs circles, lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections in a group. We have a lot of fun together while learning skills and putting them in a program. Skaters should be passed at least Basic 6 or have a coach’s recommendation. They should be working hard on their basic skating skills such as stroking, crossovers, and edges and know how to do three-turns, Mohawks, a forward lunge and spirals. Skaters will be required to skate at least an additional one hour a week besides synchronized time. This time may be freestyle ice, Explorers, or any on-ice class. We highly recommend the Power and Competitive Edge classes.

We have classes during the spring, summer and fall to learn skills. During the school year this team practices on Wednesday afternoons from – plus an occasional extra practice on Saturday afternoons.

We begin the competitive team in January. The team members are charged an even monthly fee. We estimate between $150 and $175 a month charge, including the ice unit charge, from January through April. Since team fees are divided by the number of skaters on the team, more skaters mean lower costs. The monthly charge includes all fees for the competition year:

  • coaching fees for practices and competitions
  • competition registration & practice ice
  • US Figure Skating team registration
  • and more

Costumes are not part of the monthly fee and are approximately $200 each. We do not require team parkas or jackets at this level, and we do not use bus transportation. Additional expenses not included in the fee are:

  • practice attire
  • make up
  • one night of individual hotel costs for competition.

Competitions & Performances

  • RFSC Synchro Camp | –
    Rochester, Minnesota
  • RFSC Holiday Exhibition | –
    Rochester, Minnesota
  • Maplewood Synchro Classic | –
    Mariucci Arena: Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • RFSC Frosty Skate Blast Exhibition |
    Rochester, Minnesota
  • Minnesota Aspire Synchro Showcase |
    TBD
  • Eau Claire Competition | –
    Eau Claire, Wisconsin
  • RFSC Ice Show | –
    Rochester, Minnesota
  • Other possible performances
    • –
      Grizzlies hockey games

Future calendar note

Probable date for RFSC Synchro Camp | –

An Aspire 3 Synchro team is a team of 5 to 20 skaters with no skater having passed higher than the U.S. Figure Skating preliminary level test. (This is not a Basic Skills badge test.) There are limitations on what skills are allowed during competitions putting teams on an equal playing field. There are three levels of Aspire Synchro teams based on ability. There is a wide range of ages allowed on an Aspire Synchro team.

If you have questions please contact Vikki Dalquist.

We hope you will consider joining us!

Questions should be directed to:

Vikki Dalquist, Synchronized Skating Director
Email Vikki Dalquist | (507) 287-0971.

Financial Information

Aspire Synchro (Beginner)

Once classes have finished, we begin the competitive team year. The team skaters are charged an even monthly fee from January through April and are also billed for ice time. Costumes are normally purchased in December for approximately $175 each. We estimate between a $150 and $175 monthly charge, including the ice unit charge, from January through April.

The monthly charge includes all fees for the competition year: practice ice, coaching fees for practices and competitions, competition registration and practice ice, U.S. Figure Skating team registration, annual banquet, etc. Since team fees are divided by the number of skaters on the team, more skaters mean lower costs. We do not require team parkas or jackets at this level and we do not use bus transportation. Note items not included below.

Aspire 4

Costumes cost approximately $285. The monthly fee is determined by the number of competitions we plan to attend, plus all other costs, and divided by the number of skaters. Estimated monthly fee is $77 September through April. This fee does NOT include ice which is billed separately. Ice is billed per unit. Ice is billed per unit at the current club rate. Ice is 1.5 hours per week × 4 weeks per month × rate per week. Currently $76.80.

This team’s skaters will be charged a Summer monthly fee for June, July, and August. The Summer fee includes Synchro Camp and summer coaching fees, not any of the competitive year expenses. Ice is charged separately. Most skaters miss at least some summer practices. By charging all skaters we make it fair and keep the fee low.

Open Juvenile

Costumes cost approximately $400. The monthly fee is determined by the number of competitions we plan to attend, plus all other costs, and divided by the number of skaters. For the 2024–2025 season, we had a small number of skaters on this team and the monthly fee was $360, September through April. This fee does NOT include ice which is billed separately. Ice is billed per unit at the current club rate. Ice is hours per week × 4 weeks per month × rate per week. Currently $102.40.

This team’s skaters will be charged a Summer monthly fee for June, July, and August. The Summer fee includes Synchro Camp and summer coaching fees, not any of the competitive year expenses. Ice is charged separately. Most skaters miss at least some summer practices. By charging all skaters we make it fair and keep the fee low.

All Teams

Items Not Included in Your Monthly Synchro Charge:

  • Costumes
  • Skater hotel rooms
  • Team meals
  • Practice clothing
  • Club jackets
  • Parkas
  • Make-up
  • Tights

General Information

The synchronized skating program is under a budget as directed by the Rochester Figure Skating Club (RFSC). Competitive team skaters will be charged a Monthly Fee on their club skating bill for Synchro. This charge will include most fees for the competition year including:

  • Competition registration
  • Coaching fees
  • Off-ice practice
  • Bus costs
  • and more

It will be the same fee each month. In addition to your monthly synchro charge, all competitive teams will have an Ice Charge on your bill. You will be billed for each 15 minute unit of synchro ice that your team skates. There will be no cancels and make ups for synchro ice. The ice costs that appear on your bill will include synchro ice units so expect to see those charges.

Businesses sponsoring our club help a great deal to reduce costs. If you know of a business that might be interested in this opportunity please contact our club director. RFSC hosts events which build club funds. Parents volunteering at these events helps the club to have funds to distribute.