(April 20, 2004)

History was made this year as Skate Canada marked its first-ever Adult Championship, as well as the first-ever high school competition in Western Canada, only the fourth of its kind in Canada. The 2004 Adult Championships and the Skate Canada - BC-YT High School Invitational were held March 25-27 in Burnaby, BC in conjunction with the National STARSkate Championships.

Adults Shine!

Sixty-two adult skaters from eight provinces came together to celebrate the passion, spirit and triumph of skating. Competing in free skate, couples dance, and interpretive events in a variety of age and skill level categories, these athletes, ranging in age from 25 to 67, demonstrated clearly that skating truly is a life-long sport.

Randy Waddington, adult skater from the Wild Rose Figure Skating Club in Calgary agrees. “I wanted to understand and feel what my 11-year old daughter (who skates in the CompetitiveSkate program) was going through, so I started figure skating four years ago and haven’t turned back. I skate primarily to have fun, stay fit, learn and hopefully inspire other adult skaters to get out on the ice. Skating is also an excellent stress-reliever after a busy work day.” Randy competed and medalled in all three disciplines - the dance event with partner Alison Parker, and interpretive and free skate events.

Adult skating is still in its infancy in Canada but is slowly and steadily growing. “We are very pleased with the outcome of this first competition, and I am sure participation numbers will increase in future adult events ” says Toni Carr, Skate Canada national board member and Adult Skating Commissioner.

This competition was an opportunity for adult skaters of like mind to meet fellow-athletes, exchange ideas and support each other’s desire to skate, perform and challenge themselves. This was obvious during the event, with every adult skater clapping and cheering on their fellow competitors. “It was amazing to see the camaraderie among all the adult skaters”, notes Jackie Stell-Buckingham, Skate Canada Skating Programs Director. “This group came together for the purpose of the love of skating, healthy competition and having fun, which is what our sport is all about.”

Above: Competitors from the Adult Dance event. Left: Skaters competing in Ladies Interpretive and Men's Interpretive events.

Left: Skaters warm up before competition. See more photos in the Photo Gallery

BC High School Event gets Top Marks

School spirit was high as 14 high schools from all over the province competed for the top spot at the BC/YT High School Invitational.

Schools from as far away as Smithers in Northern BC – 14 hours away – and Nechako Valley Secondary School in Vanderhoof, 11 hours away – came to participate in this historical event. “It was well worth the 14 hour drive there and we really hope that it happens again next year” commented Smithers Secondary School team leader Cindy Elliot. “Skating has never really been recognized in our school and I believe this was a positive step towards having the school accept skating as a sport. “ Judy McLeod, School team leader from Frances Kelsey Secondary School in Mill Bay agrees. “Some of my skaters spend so much time in skating that they don't have the opportunity to participate on school teams. This will give them the opportunity for recognition in year books and such.”

South Okanagan’s Osoyoos Secondary , the first school to confirm their entry, were equally enthusiastic about the event. Team leader and teacher Trent Dalgopol expressed the team’s excitement about representing their school for the first time. “With figure skating being more of an individual sport it was great to see the skaters compete as a team and be excited about getting team points, over individual medals.” Osoyoos Secondary currently fields a busy roster of approximately 11 interscholastic sport teams. “The school was very supportive of the new figure skating team, both financially and in encouraging school spirit”, Mr. Dalgopol stated. “The skating team was also included in the school’s recent pep rally.”

Teams of 2-12 skaters competed in individual and team events to accumulate points for the coveted team trophy. Matthew McNair Secondary, of Richmond, BC captured the title with 51 points, with Burnsview Junior Secondary of Victoria in second place with 31 points and Frances Kelsey Secondary of Mill Bay in 3rd with 30 points. Complete team points results were as follows:

Congratulations to all skaters!

For more information on adult and collegiate programming please contact Skate Canada at skatecanada@skatecanada.ca or 1-888-747-2372.