Summer Skating in Sun Valley
All You Need to Know as a SVSFC Parent!
1. How does the summer differ from other times of year?
There are four primary differences:
a. There are numerous clinics offered Mon-Fri by the Sun Valley Co.
b. Additional pros/coaches are here all summer to work with students,
offering a supplemental training option.
c. Sun Valley has a national reputation for its summer programs and
coaching staff, so many travel here to train. Sessions have noticeably
more skaters, and the number of outdoor rink general sessions is
more limited.
d. The summer competition (July 20-23) and test sessions (July 30 and
Aug 27) also attract many skaters from out of town, particularly in the
days leading up to the events.
2. Are there any camps that my child can participate in?
Neither the Sun Valley Co. nor the Club offers any day or half-day camps per
se. But skaters can sign up for several clinics and/or lessons throughout the
day. Some young skaters bring their bikes and spend several hours around
the rink and village.
3. Where can I get more information about the Sun Valley Co. clinics?
There are brochures at the rink skate house and online at
www.sunvalley.com/skateschool
4. Which clinics/workshops are appropriate for my child?
There are clinics for all levels of skaters. See the Skating School brochure for
more details on the individual clinics. Note that most of the clinics have
skaters at a variety of levels and ages, and the coaches are prepared to handle
the diversity in skater ability. The clinics are great ways for younger, newer
skaters to train with more advanced skaters, and build their skills and
confidence. They are also a more affordable option than private lessons.
5. Are there any Learn to Skate options in the summer?
No, due to the coaches’ busy schedules and the heavy usage at the rinks, the
Club is not able to offer Learn to Skate sessions during the summer. The
program will re-start in September.
6. How can my child take advantage of other coaches being here?
Sun Valley in the summer offers a unique opportunity to expose your child to
coaches who may offer different training styles and techniques. There are
also more coaches who are able to offer ice dance or pairs lessons, if that is
an area of interest. One of the best ways to find out if another coach is a good
fit is to have them try one of the coaches’ clinics (if they have one). It is best
to approach that coach directly to discuss semi-private or private lessons.
7. Who do I talk to about any issues I may have with a coach?
All of the coaches and pro’s are independent contractors – they are NOT
employees of Sun Valley Co or the SV Figure Skating Club. If you have an
issue that you feel you cannot address directly with your coach, it is best to
talk with Scott Irvine, the Ice Operations Manager and Skating Director
8. What is the difference between a General Session versus a Freestyle Session?
General sessions take place on the outdoor rink - they are open to the
general public and are geared toward the recreational skater. They are
typically more crowded that freestyle sessions and ages and abilities will
vary greatly. Traffic flows in a counter clockwise pattern and jumps, spins,
etc. are only allowed on a case by case basis if the number of guests on a
session permits. Personal music is not allowed on general sessions. Rules
pertaining specifically to general sessions can be found in the outdoor skate
house. During the summer, the outdoor rink is used heavily for clinics,
lessons, practice for the ice shows, and special events. As such, the number of
general sessions open to the public is limited to 4 per weekday (rather than
all or most of the day the rest of the year). It is best to check with the rink
skate house or online for the upcoming week’s schedule.
Freestyle sessions are geared toward the more serious skater and are
divided into different test levels from Open to Senior and Pro. SESSION
LEVELS ARE BASED ON FREESTYLE TEST LEVELS – NOT MOVES IN THE
FIELD. Freestyle sessions are also limited in the number of skaters (20 – 30
depending on session level) allowed on each session. Personal music and
programs can be played on Freestyle sessions.
Freestyle sessions have a higher price structure than the general sessions
due to the fact that the number of skaters is limited and it is a more
specialized session. Freestyle punch cards may be used for general sessions,
but GENERAL SESSION CARDS MAY NOT BE USED FOR FREESTYLE
SESSIONS. All sessions should be paid for in advance either by registering or
having a punch card on file.
A PUNCH CARD DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU A SPOT ON A FREESTYLE
SESSION. Registering for the Summer Skating School is highly encouraged
and doing so guarantees you an available spot on a given session. If you
choose to use punch cards, spots are available on a first come first serve
basis. If a session has reached the maximum number of skaters, we will wait
list skaters and they will be allowed on the session in that order. If a skater is
more than 5 minutes late for a full session, their spot may be given to a
waitlisted skater.
NOTE: The COMPETITION WEEK SESSIONS HAVE A TENDENCY TO FILL
UP……ESPECIALLY THE 3:35pm OUTDOOR FREESTYLE. So it is best to sign
up for sessions that week well in advance.
9. My child would like to move from Learn to Skate classes to a semi-private
and/or private lesson. How do I do that? What are the costs involved?
All of the coaches are independent contractors, so you would need to
approach a prospective coach directly about working with your child. Their
billing rates differ, (anywhere from $30-$50 for a private 25 minute lesson).
You will also need to pay for your child’s ice time. The rink house staff has
contact information for all of the coaches.
10. Why should we become SVFSC members?
There are several benefits to joining a skating club like SVFSC:
a. When joining a USFS sanctioned Club, you also become a USFS
member, which includes a free Skating Magazine subscription.
b. You must belong to a Club to participate in USFS competitions and test
sessions.
c. You are now eligible to participate in Club-sponsored events – show
performances, exhibitions, etc.
d. SVSFC offers an opportunity every winter/spring to purchase
punchcards at a discounted rate (in place of free Club-sponsored ice
time, which the Club used to offer).
e. Voting rights for all members over 18 years of age
f. Finally, being a member of a Club provides the opportunity to meet,
socialize and skate with others who share a similar interest.
11. Why do you require a parent to also be a member?
This is something that many Clubs require. The SVFSC has no employees and
relies solely on volunteers (primarily adults) to govern and operate the Club,
including the competitions, test sessions and the Learn to Skate program.
Without these volunteers, the Club would not exist. Being a member
encourages parents to learn about the sport, get involved, and gives them a
voice – and a vote -- in all Club matters.
12. My child has never competed. Why and when should I introduce him/her to
a competition?
When to start competing is a very personal decision and something you, your
coach and child should all discuss. Some start as young as 4 or 5 years old,
but others wait until they are more confident in their skating skills.
13. How do I sign up my child for the summer competition?
You can do so through Entryeeze. The easiest way to access the registration
form and announcement is via the Club’s home web page –
www.sunvalleyfsc.org. Note that all registrants must have renewed their
USFS and Club membership to compete. Membership registration closes at
the end of June.
14. What is the difference between the free skate, dramatic entertainment and
light entertainment events?
In the free skate events, a skater must complete a specific number of
elements required for his/her free skate test level. The judges base their
scores on how effectively the skater has executed those elements. When one
watches skaters compete in national, international and Olympic
competitions, they are typically watching free skate events (or ice dance,
which is a different skating discipline).
The “showcase” events – dramatic and light entertainment – are evaluated on
their entertainment value. The dramatic programs utilize intense emotional
skating qualities, while the light programs emphasize choreographic
expressive qualities such as comedy, love and mime. Both allow props and
scenery.
15. What is testing all about?
The test structure is often called the “backbone of U.S. Figure Skating.”
Starting with the first test you take, through your entire career, it is the
national standard that you are measured against. When you fill out
applications for just about everything in figure skating, the first question will
be “What is the highest U.S. Figure Skating Test passed?”
U.S. Figure Skating tests are offered in the following tracks:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Moves in the Field
Free Skate
Pattern Dance or Solo Pattern Dance
Free Dance or Solo Free Dance
Pairs
The level you enter in competitions is determined by your highest test
passed, often sessions at rinks are divided by the skaters’ test levels, and
skaters registering for a camp or clinic are divided by test level. Each U.S.
Figure Skating test that you pass goes on your permanent record, and is an
achievement you always carry with you. In fact, your tests passed and your
placement at qualifying competitions are the ONLY things on your U.S. Figure
Skating record.