PALMERSTON – Nicole Lenselink and her sister Tiffany Hoelscher have revived the Palmerston Skating Club in time for this year’s skating season.
Opening night for the local club, which had shut down a few years ago, was Oct. 11 at the Palmerston Arena, with registration closing six days prior.
“We want to inspire young people to get involved with skating again and build up their foundation as a skater, whether that will help them in their hockey, ringette or other pursuits with skating,” said Nicole Lenselink.
“Simply my reason for creating the club was so that I can give back to the community that provided the opportunity for me to learn how to skate and then have the passion to become a figure skater.”
Hoelscher and Lenselink are both level-one certified Skate Canada coaches who have coached for over a decade. They also have their Quadruple Gold Status Award as skaters.
Although registration for the skating club is closed, Lenselink encourages those interested in joining to keep an eye out on the group’s Facebook page and website for registration in January.
The club will be meeting twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 7pm with a Learn to Skate program, CANskate program and STARskate program.
Learn to Skate
Learn to Skate is a program designed to teach young skaters basic movements on the ice and to inspire confidence. The program is meant to prepare new skaters for the CANskate program, and is typically for skaters aged five or younger.
These sessions are offered in the first half-hour of the CANskate session, and skaters can participate in both sessions or a single one per week.
CANskate
The CANskate program is designed by Skate Canada and offers six stages, with 50-minute sessions. The class is geared more toward skaters who have a solid foundation in skating skills.
There are six stages and three fundamentals (balance, control and agility) for each stage to be covered. Skaters advance at their own pace and skills are assessed by the professional coaches on a daily basis.
A ribbon for each fundamental is awarded when all skills can be performed at the required performance level for each stage.
STARskate
“[The STARskate program] is for the skaters who kind of graduate out of the CANskate program and want to pursue a figure skating aspect of skating,” said Lenselink.
STARskaters will be assessed by coaches, or will be asked to take part in a “test day” throughout the season.
Skaters are evaluated from one to 10 in skills, dance, free skate and artistic.
Adult skating
All programs are instructed and assessed by professional Skate Canada coaches and led by volunteer program assistants.
“We’ve had some inquiry about adult skating. So, in January, we’re looking to open up potentially an adult skate as long as we can make it work with our hours we currently have,” added Lenselink.
For more information, email the club at palmerstonskatingclub@gmail.com.
