What is expected of Chippewa Figure Skating Club Families?

The Chippewa Figure Skating Club is run exclusively by volunteers.  We rely on all Club families to help provide the services we offer to our skating members.  The Club subsidizes coaching fees and other Club expenses as well as providing scholarships to skating families requesting financial help. Figure Skaing Club families are asked to participate in the following:

:: The Chippewa Figure Skating Club provides Bingo to the public at the Eagles Club on Wednesday nights.  Each family is required to work two Bingo nights and bring 2 pans of bars or baked goods to each Bingo night.  Families bring food and work the same night.  This is a very good fundraiser for the figure skating program.  Sign up sheets are posted on the Figure Skating bulletin board or you can call Board member,
Willy Johnson – 288-6831

If you are scheduled to work Bingo and you are unable to work, it is your responsibility to find a substitute and call Willy Johnson to tell him the name of your substitute.

NOTE:  Anyone working at Bingo cannot play Bingo or offer to watch cards for individuals playing Bingo.  Also, if you are calling back numbers for a winning Bingo, please do not call back numbers for any family members or individuals that you know if this can be avoided.  Any children that accompany workers to Bingo may play only with a parent or legal guardian present.

:: If your child is skating in the Spring Ice Show, each family must participate in the Spring Ice Show by volunteering for pre-show committees and working at one show performance.  Our Spring Ice Show is scheduled for March 28 & 29, 2009.  This is MANDATORY since a lot of work needs to be done for our ice show to be a success.

We realize everyone is busy but volunteering for Club activities and fundraisers helps keep our costs down and adds to your general knowledge and appreciation of figure skating.

You will receive periodically the Chippewa Figure Skating Club newsletter “The Cutting Edge” which includes information about meeting agendas, Chippewa Figure Skating Club events, parent information, and general skating news.  During the off-season (May-September), these newsletters will be mailed.  During the skating season (October-April), each member’s family will have a mail file in the “club file cabinet” available in the ice arena concession area at every Chippewa Figure Skating Club practice.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAIL FOLDERS EVERY TIME YOU ARE AT THE RINK so you do not miss any important information!  This is your responsibility and keeps our mailing costs to a minimum.


:: Work Assessment
Chippewa Youth Hockey Association
Work Assessment Policy (Effective Date May 1, 2008)

The Chippewa Youth Hockey Association (CYHA) is an all volunteer organization operating two ice arenas for ice-related activities. Membership includes CYHA and Chippewa Figure Skating Club (CFSC) members. In order to operate and maintain the facilities and the association, members are required to work a given number of hours or pay a fee each year. The required hours and fee are dependent on the age level your child participates at. The table below lists the requirements. This enables us to keep our prices low by working off part of the projected costs, but providing people with an opportunity to "buy out" if they so choose.

Read more about Work Assessemnt.

:: Fundraisers
The Hockey Association has mandatory and non-mandatory fundraisers throughout the season.  As a member of the Hockey Association you are required to participate to keep the cost of the registration and rink upkeep down.

General Skate Information & What Kind of Skates Do
We Need?
Boots, blades, and skate guards are the only essential specialized equipment.  Skates and boots can be obtained either already fitted together as a set or separately.Skate boots should fit like a well-fitting street shoe of proper size, have snug fitting heel, and have plenty of ankle support, but not tight around the toes.  If the boot is too large and lacks ankle support, the skater loses control.  Too small of boots are not only uncomfortable to wear, but the feet become cold sooner from poor circulation.  It is critical to get a good fit.  If you don’t, the skater will experience pain, blisters, cramps, and possibly injury.As the skater becomes more advanced and is working on the more difficult jumps, he/she will need a high quality boot with maximum support.  The skater’s coach may be able to suggest the appropriate skate for their level of skating.It is important that boots provide support for the ankle.  Leather skates are supposed to9.be stiff to support the ankles.  New skates need a period of time to be “broken in.”  As you skate in the boots, the leather will form to your feet.

Sizing Skates
Skate sizes are different from your shoe size.  Generally, up to a size 4 can be one-half size smaller (size 4 shoe, 3 ½ skate).  Above a size 4 shoe, the skate can be a full size smaller.  However, people with extremely wide feet or different sized feet will be the exception.When fitting skates be sure to wear the kind of nylons/tights you will be weraring when you skate.  The snugger the fit, the better the support will be for your ankles.  Skaters having problems with ankles falling, in general, have too big of a skate or the boot is not supportive at the ankle.  Also, be sure to push the heel as far back as possible in the skate for proper fit.

Lacing the Boot
Generally speaking, the boot should be laced snugly with the tightest lacing at the instep area to the ankle.  Leave the lace slightly loose at the very top.  You should be able to insert your finger between the ankle and the boot top.  It will take time and practice to learn lace adjustments for your skater’s comfort.  It is also important to unlace your skates properly.  The lace should be loosened all the way to the toe before the foot is pulled out of the boot.  One pair of thin tights is all that is recommended for comfort and warmth for indoor skating.

Skating Blades
Generally, blades are sold separately from the boots.  The blades are designed with a concave skating surface and toe picks.  The concave design is there to give the blade a definite inside and outside edge for control.  The purpose of the picks is to assist the skater in jumping and should not be altered.

To keep blades sharp and free from damage and nicks, ALWAYS WEAR SKATE GUARDS WHEN NOT ON THE ICE SURFACE!  However, be careful to remove the guards when stepping back onto the ice surface so you will not take any unnecessary falls.  To prevent rusting ALWAYS WIPE YOUR BLADES DRY AFTER USE AND PUT ON A SOFT PROTECTIVE COVER CALLED “SOAKERS”.  Do not store blades in wet or dirty skate guards or in skating bags.

Sharpening
Because of the concave design and the importance of edges on your blades it is important to have your skate blades sharpened by an experienced sharpener to avoid permanent damage.  When getting your skates sharpened, ask for “freestyle.”  Please consult with your coach as to frequency of sharpening.  (A rule of thumb is to have skates sharpened after about 20 skating sessions, more often for advanced skaters.)Keep your blades tight and be sure that all screws are in tight!

Where to Purchase Skates and Have Skates Sharpened
(Please call ahead for appointments)

Riverside Bike & Skate_____(715-835-0088)
Eau Claire_____for sharpening or fitting ask for Pat, Owner

Westwood Sports_____(888-752-8387)
Bloomington, MN_____ask for Fred

Blades to Ballet_____(507-281-1401)
(Hillcrest Shopping Center) Rochester, MN_____Chris Fischer, Owner

Glenn Moen_____(218-724-0184)
77 West, Duluth, MN 55803

Strauss Skate & Bicycles_____(612-770-1344)
Ask for Don when sharpening

Other options :: Lease/Lease to Own Skates
Clafton Skates______(218-326-1571)
Ask for Dave (very helpful and informative)
www.figureskatesonly.com

Purchasing Skates Only for Beginners:
Play it Again Sports_____ Eau Claire _____ 834-0602
Scheel’s All Sports_____ Eau Claire ______ 833-1886
Salvation Army _____ Eau Claire ______ 834-1224
______________Chippewa Falls______ 726-9506

What Is a Pro and How Do You Pick One for Private Lesson?
A pro (or coach) is an experienced skater who is willing to make their time available to teach skaters.  Selecting a Pro for your skater is a very personal thing between Pro and skater.Effective coaching is always a result of the relationship between the Pro and the skater.  An important trait to consider when selecting a coach is whether that coach makes skating enjoyable for the skater.  The Pro who is positive and encouraging can expect students to adopt the same attitude about their skating and make steady progress through self-confidence and love of the sport.

Good coaching is an art.Your child is scheduled for group or private lessons each week.  It is very important that your child spends time practicing the skills taught during lessons prior to the next scheduled group lesson.  Sunday morning ice time is scheduled from 7:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. for skaters to use this time to practice what they have learned during lessons.  (These Sunday morning times may vary or be cancelled, so please watch the calendar for time changes,)  PARENTS, YOU (OR A DESIGNEE) MUST BE PRESENT WHILE YOUR CHILD IS SKATING.  COACHES PRESENT ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU CHILD DURING THIS TIME! 

Private lessons are also held during this time.  If you are interested in private lessons, contact a coach or your choice to schedule the one-on-one lesson time for your child.  Coaches set their own rates and parents are encouraged to pay coaches at the end of each lesson unless other arrangements have been made. There is ice time available for SWU skaters to practice on Sunday mornings between 8:00-11:15 IF you have a scheduled private lesson.  These lessons are for 15 minutes.  You must contact a coach for a private lesson. You may also be on the ice 15 minutes after your private lesson to practice the skills you are learning.  No SWU skater is to be on the ice Sunday mornings without a private lesson.  It is just too dangerous with the older girls practicing routines for competition.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any figure skating board member or Bridget Ericksen.

Things Parents Can Do to Help a Coach
1.     Ensure your child arrives on time.  (Arrive fifteen minutes before
scheduled time.)
2.     Say only positive things at practice and competition.
3.     Communicate with the coach.
4.     Do not attempt to coach your child – leave it to the coaches.
5.     YOU MUST CALL THE COACH IF YOUR CHILD IS GOING TO BE LATE
OR MISS A PRACTICE.
6.     Be sure your child has plenty of sleep the night before practice or
competition.
7.     Focus on effort, not winning.
8.     Support the coach, especially on discipline and coaching decisions.
9.     Feed your child before competitions and practices.
10. Thank the coaches – it goes a long way!!!
11. Parents, please be courteous to other skater’s scheduled lesson times.