Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions that you think should appear on this page, send them our way!  E-mail your questions to pat.brickson@trfskating.com.

Clinic

Q:  What is the clinic?

A:  The 2 week clinic gets children back on the ice and gives them a chance to advance at a quicker pace.

Q:  Does my child have to participate in the clinic?

A:  No, but it is highly recommended.

Snowplow Sam / Basic Skills

Q: What’s the difference between Snowplow Sam and Basic 1?

A: Really only the age.  Snowplow Sam is the USFS's pre-school program.  If a skater passes Snowplow Sam 3, he/she will move to Basic 2.

Q:  How old do you have to be to participate in the skating program?

A:   3 or 4—old enough to walk with very good balance and old enough to leave mom or dad

Q:  Can we switch nights if the skater is unable to make it to their scheduled time?

A:   This is not recommended as groups are formed to include balanced numbers.  However, it may be possible with prior arrangement.

Q:  How often are practices and how long do they last?

A:  Once a week.  Snowplow 1-3 and Basic 1-3 are 30 minutes.  Basic 4-8 lessons are 45 minutes.

Testing

Q: How often is a skater tested?

A: Skaters are being tested every lesson.  Although you may not notice a "formal" testing going on, coaches have sheets with all the elements and will check them off for each skater as the skater shows they have mastered an element.  When the skater has mastered all elements, they will be moved up.

Q: How can a parent determine if their skater has passed to the next level?

A: Your skater will be moved into the next level.  We hope to have a parent in each group that can help get books caught up from time to time.

Q: What skills does a skater need to progress to the next level?

A:  All skills are listed in the USFS basic skills booklet that your skater has/will receive.

Q: How can a parent determine which skills their skater needs to improve upon?

A: Watch your child skate during lessons, talk with your child's coach (at an appropriate time—not while the coach is supposed to be working withother skaters). 

Accelerated

Q: What is the Accelerated Skating program?

A:  The accelerated program is for those skaters in basic 4 and above who have shown a talent and a strong desire to become "figure skaters."  This is for the skater who believes that figure skating is going to be their winter sport.  Parents need to be ready as well since we expect that all accelerated skaters take private lessons each week and participate in competitions, some of which may be out of town and require overnight stays.  Please speak with your child's coach before signing her up for accelerated as spaces are limited and the coach will have a better feel for whether your skater is ready or not.

Q: What levels can participate in this?

A: Basic 4 through USFS pre-preliminary.

Advanced

Q: What levels are there at the advanced level?

A: Advanced skaters follow the USFS testing structure and focus on Moves in the Field, Freeskate, and Dance.  There are approxiamtely 8 levels which begin at Pre-preliminary and go through Senior (or Gold). 

Q: When can a skater be considered part of the advanced group?

A: When they have completed the basic skills curriculum or upon suggestion by a coach.

Q: Who tests an advanced skater?

A: Only USFS qualified judges can test advanced skaters.  There is nobody in TRF who is eligible to test our skaters.  Typically our judges come from Canada, southern Minnesota or Fargo.

Q: Where are these tests held?

A: The TRFSC holds one test session each year.  Our skaters also test at area clubs such as EGF, GF, or Bemidji.

Q: How are Advanced Skaters taught?

A:  All advanced lessons (with the exception of the clinic) are private lessons.

Q: Do Advanced Skaters help with Basic Skills?

A: Some do.  We have certain qualifications skaters need to meet before they are eligible to help coach basics.

Q: Do they have uniforms or warm ups?

A: There are uniforms/warm ups available to order. 

Q: Can Advance Skaters earn a high school letter?  How?  What are the requirements?

A: Yes they can.  Letters are awarded based on test level, number of events participated in, and number of hours skaters practice each week.  A minimum of 4.5 hours of skating per week is required to earn a letter.

Synchro

Q: What levels can participate in this?

A: Synchro is available for almost every level from basic skills through advanced.  However, based on the ice time and numbers in TRF, we are currently just running an upper basic skills team (basic 5 and above).

Q: Will you ever add more levels?

A: Yes, as time and numbers allow.

Q: What are the dates of the competitions?  Where are they?  Hotel reservations?

A: January 22-24 in EGF, February 12-14 in Moorhead.

Q: Uniforms and Warm Ups?

A: Warm ups may be ordered.  In the past we have ordered from Oklee Quilting and had the TRFSC patch put on by Universal

Private Lessons

Q: At what level can a skater begin individual lessons?

A: Any level!

Q: Which coaches offer individual lessons?

A:  Lisa Semanko and Kimberly Idland coach primarily advanced and accelerated skaters.  Deanna Peterson and our junior coaches (those advanced skaters helping coach basics) are available for basic skills skaters.  The junior coaches currently offering lessons are Zoe Pietras-Swanton, Nicole Penner, Shelby Johnson, Jackie Penner, Brittany Johnson and Amanda Sturgeon.

Q: What are the prices?

A: Depends on the coach.  Lisa Semanko–$25/hour; Kimberly Idland–$35/hour; Deanna Peterson–$17/hour; Junior Coaches–$15/hour.

Q: When do private lessons occur?

A: For basic skills and accelerated skaters, they would be during the Saturday basic skills practice session.  For advanced skaters, they are during any advanced time.

Competition questions

Q: At what level does individual competition begin?

A: There are basic skills competitions for Snowplow Sam through preliminary levels.  USFS non qualifying competitions are held for all levels of advanced skaters.

Q: How does a skater develop a routine and pick music we get?

A: You really need to work with a coach as there are required elements in each program.  Your coach will help you choose the proper music and edit it to the appropriate length.

Q: When and where are the competitions held?

A: At clubs throughout the region.  Basic skills competitions are held each year in TRF, Bemidji, EGF, Fergus Falls, as well as many other area towns. Advanced competitions are also held throughout the US.  Our skaters typically compete in EGF, Moorhead, and Duluth.

Q: Are there hotels involved?

A: For the advanced competitions, yes.  For basic skills, it really depends on where the competition is and what times your skater is scheduled for.

Q: Does the skater’s coach need to be present at the competition?

A: It is not mandatory, but it is strongly suggested--especially for advanced skaters.

Q: Does a skater need to pay my coach’s travel expenses?

A: Yes, coaches do charge their skaters for expenses.  These expenses are divided among the skaters that coach has at the competition.

Skating Show

Q: What are the dates?

A: To be determined.  Ice time in the spring is at a premium.  The board works with the manager of the REA to determine what dates are available.  In 2010, the skating show will be held on March 19-20.

Q: How do you select groups?

A: Groups are based on the skater’s level at the time of grouping and also based on the availability of costumes.

Q: When are the practices?

A: We practice weekly & that can change based on ice availability.

Q: Costumes?

A: Are handed out and collected each year based on the group that you are skating with

Q: Volunteers?  How can I help?

A: We are always looking for people to hand out & collect costumes, concession workers during show, and parent helpers.  Sign up sheets will be made available as the date of the show gets closer.

Q: Dress Rehearsals?

A: Typically there is one dress rehearsal held the evening before the skating show.  The time of the dress rehearsal will be communicated as the date of the skating show draws near.

Q: Pictures?

A: Pictures are held for skaters in each and every group.  Pictures are generally taken in the final two weeks before the skating show, after the costumes are handed out.  Actual dates of pictures will be determined and communicated (via website and handout) as the date approaches.  These are organized with Thoele Photography.

Skating Board

Q: Who are they?

A: Check the website (link provided).

Q: What do they do?

A: Many things: plan the ice show, schedule ice time for skaters, hire coaches, etc.

Q: How is the board selected?

A: Vote of the advanced skaters/parents & board members.

Summer Ice / Off season opportunities

Q: Is it available?  If so, when?

A: Unfortunately, we never really know until much closer to summer.  Our hope is that there will be ice available in July or August of next year.  This ice time will need to be coordinated with TRFAHA’s schedule.

Q: Are there opportunities out of town?  When?  Where?

A: Most area clubs do have summer ice.  Many of our basic skills and advanced skaters have gone to GF for summer ice.

Equipment

Q:  Where can I get skates?

A:  You can buy or lease skates at Legends in TRF or Gerrells in GF.

Q: What do I look for in a skate?

A: Good ankle support.

Q: Do I need to have skate guards?

A: Skate guards are not required, but they do protect the blade of the skate if the skater is going to do any walking off the ice.  Please DO NOT store your skates with the guards on.  This causes the blade to rust.

Q: What should my skater wear to lessons?

A: For girls, a pair of tights & shorts or skating skirt is best.  Knit or Sweat pants are acceptable, as well, but make sure they do not have wide or loose bottoms as they can get caught on the skate blade.   If at all possible, do not wear jeans.  For beginning skaters (Snowplow and Basic 1) helmets (hockey or bike) are recommended.  Hats and mittens are recommended as well.

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