Today's Ice Skating World Is a World of "Musical Figure Skating Partners":
Gone are the days when pair skating teams like Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner or Jo Jo Starbuck and Kenneth Shelley stayed together from their early skating days until the end of their professional figure skating careers. Partner switching seems to be the norm in today's figure skating world.
This article lists some guidelines on how to switch figure skating pair or ice dance partners.
Don't look for another skating partner behind your existing partner's back:
Do not set up partner tryouts or begin talking to other potential partners and their families without your existing partner's and coach's permission.
Be honest and upfront with everyone involved.:
If you are not happy in your existing skating partnership, communicate this to your partner, your coach, and your partner's family. Consult your figure skating coach when conflicts arise. Don't blame your skating partner when things go wrong.
Educate Yourself - Know PSA (Professional Skaters Association) Ethics:
The Professional Skaters Association (PSA) has set up certain guidelines that all figure skating coaches must follow. One of the most significant of these guidelines has to do with soliciting figure skating students from other coaches. If your coach approaches another coach's student about skating with you (without that skater's coach's permission), this is considered soliciting and is a violation of PSA Ethics.
Notify the skating partner you are leaving either by phone or in person:
Don’t leave a message on an answering machine or send an email or letter saying you are changing partners or ending your skating partnership. Don't ask a coach or someone else to notify your existing partner that you have decided to end the partnership. In the case that the skating partners are minors, the parents involved must communicate directly.
Don't make your existing partner feel bad:
Once you do make personal contact, don’t make your existing skating partner or his or her family feel bad by trying to explain or justify the reasons for making a change; that is not necessary. Circumstances change. It may be time to move on.
There may be hurt feelings:
Be aware that your existing (now former partner) and his or her family may be very hurt and may not take losing you lightly. Go over and above to thank your existing (now former) skating partner for all the time you have spent skating together. Remember the good times. Reflect on all you've learned and how you have improved at your skating during your time together on the ice.
Pay all bills:
If there are any outstanding bills, make sure that everything is paid in full before beginning a new figure skating partnership. If changing a partner involved changing coaches, make sure your former coach is paid in full before beginning lessons with a different skating coach.
Try to stay on good terms with your former partner:
This is not always easy. If possible, remain friends. Rejoice in one another's successes. If your former pair or ice dancing partner gets a new skating partner, take the time to compliment the team. If your former skating partner does not find a new skating partner, encourage him or her to continue skating. Cheer for one another.
Do not say bad things about your former partner or your former coach:
Gossip can occur at a skating rink. Be aware that other people at an ice arena may want to know why your partnership ended. Don't participate in skating rink gossip by saying negative things about your former skating partner, his or her family, or your former coach.
