Here's How:
- Choose a Private Figure Skating Coach
In order to compete in figure skating competitions, a skater must take private ice skating lessons on a regular basis.
- Buy Skates
As soon as it is determined that you are serious about figure skating and want to compete, it is essential that a skater purchases his or her own skates. Take the time to consult your coach before purchasing skates.
- Set Up a Practice and Training Schedule
Ice skating is a skill that involves much practice. Figure skaters really do need to practice every day. Also, one on-ice practice session is not enough; serious skaters need to be on the ice for at least two or three practice sessions per day.
- Pass Figure Skating Tests
Figure skating achievement tests must be passed in order to compete in figure skating competitions.
Those new to figure skating also need to know that U.S. Figure Skating and Skate Canada have an entire test structure that is beyond Basic Skills, CanSkate, and ISI ice skating tests. This "advanced" test structure makes it possible for figure skaters to be eligible to compete in certain competitions. These standard figure skating tests are the ones that count and are the ones that "mean something" on an ice skater’s resume.
- Join a Figure Skating Club
Every serious figure skater must be a member of U.S. Figure Skating and pass official U.S. Figure Skating tests in order to compete. Most skaters join a U.S. Figure Skating member club. Club membership includes membership in U.S. Figure Skating.
Full membership in U.S. Figure Skating is required to take tests beyond the basic skills and to participate in competitions beyond the recreational level.
- Decide On Which Competitions You Want To Take Part In Way In Advance
Opportunities to compete in figure skating competitions are available for all ages and levels of skaters. There are recreational, non-qualifying, and qualifying figure skating events that take place throughout the year. Skaters and their coaches need to decide in advance which competitions they'd like to compete in.
- Choose Music and Choreograph a Figure Skating Program
Every skater that enters a competition must have a choreographed program that is skated to music. A skater and his or her coach will choose a piece of music and get the music cut to a required length. Then, a program with required elements must be choreographed by a professional choreographer or coach. Once a skater program is choreographed, a skater must practice the figure skating elements in his or her program over and over and do at least one complete run-through (without stopping) of the program every day.
- Pay Entry Fees and Fill Out Required Entry Forms Before Deadlines
In order to compete in figure skating competitions, entry forms and fees must be filled out, mailed, and paid in advance. Some competitions entry forms require signatures of club officers. Make sure that all competition entry forms are complete and include required signatures. It is wise to get skating competition applications in way before the entry deadline date.
- Get Competition Costumes Made
The costumes worn by competitive figure skaters can be elaborate and original. Many figure skaters get competition costumes custom made and designed. It is also common for stones or crystals to be glued on to skating competition clothes so that skaters can "sparkle on the ice" during competitions. Find a dressmaker to make your skating competition clothes or look for a skating clothes supplier online. Don't wait until the last minute. Decide on what you will wear during a competition way before the event. If possible, take time to practice before the event in your competition clothes.
- Purchase and Reserve Practice Ice and Warm-Up Ice Time
When a skater goes to a competition, in addition to paying an entry fee, practice ice time and warm-up ice time fees must be paid in advance. Practice ice at competitions is usually very expensive per skater ($15 to 25 for twenty or thirty minutes). Practice ice and competition entry fees are paid directly to the club or rink that organizes a competition.
- Make Travel Arrangements
If you are competing in an out-of-town event, make your plane, hotel, and car rental reservations way in advance.
- Get Your Blades Sharpened
Figure skaters should get their skates sharpened about a week before leaving for a competition. This will give a skater time to get used to a new sharpening before arriving at the competition.
- Don't Forget Figure Skating Tights, Extra Laces, Boot Polish, Makeup, and Hair Supplies
It is expected that a figure skater will look his or her very best during a skating competition. Things like brand new tights and polished skates with clean laces are expected to be part of a competitor's appearance. Hair and makeup should also be perfect. Don't forget to bring extra tights, extra laces, and skate polish to a competition. Also, don't forget makeup, hairspray, and whatever else you need so you will look your very best when you compete.
- Coaching Fees Are Charged In Addition to Competition and Practice Ice Fees
Coaching fees are in addition to practice ice and competition fees and are paid directly to a skater's coach. A skater's family should be prepared for a large post coaching competition bill.
- A Skater's Family Should Also Expect to Pay For a Coach's Food, Travel, and Hotel Costs
If a coach takes several students to a competition, the coach may split his or her total expense bill between all of his or her competitors.
If a coach takes only one skater to a competition, the skater's family is expected to pay for all of his or her coach's expenses which may include a round-trip plane flight, a rental car, several days in a hotel, and meals.
Tips:
- Make sure you have extra copies of your music before arriving at a figure skating competition.
- Don't be afraid to ask your coach lots of questions about what to expect at a skating competition.
- Arrive at the rink at least an hour before your event. Also, arrive at least 45 minutes before official competition practices and warm-ups.
- Don't leave your skates, costumes, or valuables unattended during a competition.
What You Need
- A private figure skating coach
- Figure skates
- Competition skating clothes
- Makeup
- Hair supplies and decorations
- Skate polish
- Sharp skates and skate guards
- New skating tights and laces
- Music and a choreographed program
- Lots of money, practice, and hard work
