Boise FSC’s New Classes Encourage Skaters to Test Their Skills

Above: Students and coaches of the Boise Figure Skating Club's Learn to Test and Learn to Dance programs are excited about the new opportunities.
By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz  

The thought of testing can be a daunting one for many skaters, especially at the lower levels.

However, the Boise Figure Skating Club in Boise, Idaho, found a perfect solution that introduces testing basics, which is fun and fosters friendships among the skaters.

“One of our coaches was looking for more ways to get skaters introduced to testing their first level of skating skills, and she recognized that those same skaters may appreciate having quiet ice to learn new skills without feeling intimidated by a busy freestyle session,” club secretary Kari Eggert said.

While the idea was taking shape, the club realized that others may appreciate being introduced to another new discipline, like ice dancing.

And so began the club’s new Learn to Test and Learn to Dance classes.

“The club board saw an opportunity to utilize an additional hour of ice time on Saturday,” Eggert said. “They then advertised with social media website announcements and e-mails to club members. In these announcements, we utilized quotes from fellow coaches on what important skating skills these classes could teach them.”

The classes run once a week for one hour and run simultaneously on the same ice sheet. Coach Bianca Chal teaches the Learn to Test class, while coach Cadence Brunzlick directs the Learn to Dance class.

During each week of the Learn to Test class, skaters work on learning each pattern in the pre-preliminary skating skills test, putting them into action and refining their skating technique. During each week of Learn to Dance, skaters refine techniques for each dance step element, perform drills to practice timing and learn the Canasta Tango steps.

“During week six, we evaluate who we think is ready to test, and then, on the ninth week, we conclude the class by filming those who are ready for a virtual test session,” Eggert said.

Brunzlick and Chal have noticed an increased motivation in participating skaters.

“I love that I see these skaters continuing to work on these skills even outside our class time,” Chal said.

Brunzlick loves to see skaters begin to branch out into other disciplines they may not have known about before.

“Seeing their motivation to learn something completely new to them is refreshing and continues to motivate me to keep teaching,” Brunzlick said.

Eggert notes the importance of skaters being interested in testing, whether in skating skills or ice dance.

“It’s required to keep moving into higher levels of competition and to continue challenging skaters as they continue to improve,” Eggert said. “The interest in testing and ice dancing has definitely increased. It’s created camaraderie, motivation to practice and exposure to different skating disciplines.”

The overall response to the classes has been positive, both from skaters within the classes and from parents.

“We’ve noticed some of the more shy skaters beginning to make friends with others in their class and have begun to practice skating skills and dance on freestyle sessions together,” Eggert said. “As the classes have gone on, we have had increased interest in the classes continuing into a subsequent session,”

She encourages other clubs to consider offering classes such as these.

“It’s been a great way to introduce skaters to different opportunities within the sport and begin developing a pathway for forward development,” Eggert said. “It has also become a great way for shy skaters to make friends within an otherwise individual sport, creating a more open community of support for each other.”