Introduction
There are many unofficial non-qualifying figure skating events that give skaters a chance to compete and prepare for official qualifying competitions.
This is a short journal of my family's experience at an unofficial ice skating competition.
This journal will give those interested in competing in figure skating an idea of what participating in a skating competition is like.
Preparation
Prepare for an ice skating competition in advance. Costumes need to be chosen, routines need to be choreographed, music needs to be cut, and tests need to be passed. There is usually an entry deadline for competitions.
Plan on putting in extra hours of practice before skating competitions.
Day One:
Figure skating competitions always begin with special official practice ice.
On day one, most of the figure skaters competing had practice ice for their singles events. The "competition feeling" filled the arena since a US Figure Skating test session was taking place. It is common for test sessions to be held before competitions since judges are flown in and this gives skaters a special opportunity to test.
Vendors were beginning to set up their booths full of figure skating merchandise. Their areas were already full of skating dresses, tights, skating books, and skating videos and DVDs.
Day Two:
My son competed in Preliminary Boys Spins that morning. He was competing against three other boys. They each had a program planned that included three required spins.
We arrived at the rink early and registered at the competition registration desk. I turned in all of his individual music CDs when we registered.
Every competitor was dressed in their most beautiful skating clothes. Girls' hair was put up in a bun, curled, or braided. Every competitor was wearing make-up.
Joel skated well and won a silver medal! In this event, he performed a sit spin, a camel spin, and a scratch spin in a short routine without music on half of the ice rink's surface.
It is so important for children to have family members present during figure skating competitions. My husband came to watch and our entire family cheered Joel on.
My son's coach for singles was present and gave him last minute instruction from the sidelines.
That evening, both my son and older daughter had more official practice sessions. They practiced both their singles and their pair skating and returned home quite late.
