{"id":25,"date":"2010-08-06T19:14:07","date_gmt":"2010-08-07T02:14:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2024-11-29T10:54:04","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T17:54:04","slug":"first-time-advice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/?page_id=25","title":{"rendered":"Newbies"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The “Series” has been featured twice in SKATING Magazine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Congratulations,<\/span> you have worked your way through Learn to Skate USA Classes and some private lessons.\u00a0 Your coach has signed you up for your first figure skating competition!\u00a0 You are lucky; this is where future champions get their start!\u00a0 <\/span>Your coach is an expert and has years of experience so don’t be afraid to ask questions. These competitions are designed to be fun and will give you lots of competitive experience.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Click on the image below to see Olympic Champion Nathan Chen’s first beginner competition.<\/span><\/h4>\n

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Here are a few things you should know about –<\/span><\/h4>\n

See the Announcement download on the main page. It outlines the rules and requirements for each event.\u00a0 You need to have your coach help you fill out the practice application with the events that are right for you.\u00a0 Then you will go to entryeeze.com<\/a> for the first two competitions at Kendall Ice Arena and PB SkateZone and be able to sign up for the correct events. Entries for the Finals at the Miami FSC will be done through the USFS EMS portal<\/a>. Your coach will receive a confirmation email later to confirm the correct events.\u00a0 You must be a member of the Learn to Skate USA Program, Aspire, or a full member of US Figure Skating. Remember to sign up (with payment) by the due date.\u00a0 This is a very important habit to develop.\u00a0 Many competitions will not accept late entries! You may enter more than one event if you wish, and the additional events are cheaper than the first event. <\/span><\/h4>\n

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Before the competition, you will want to develop a list of things to think about and accomplish before the big day. Please note that there will be an informative email update about one week before the competition.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Some of them are:<\/h4>\n

Costume and Appearance<\/span>: Please keep it simple!\u00a0 Competition outfits at all levels are required by Compete USA rules to be modest, and appropriate for athletic competition.\u00a0 Except for “Showcase” type events, they should not be theatrical in appearance.\u00a0 At beginning levels, boys may be very appropriately dressed in dark pants, a shirt, and a turtleneck or sweater.\u00a0 Girls may be in a simple skating dress with a little “sparkle” and of course, some make-up. Check with your coach about what is right for your music.\u00a0 Warm-up suits should not be worn during competition.\u00a0 Bring a small “Kiss and Cry” Bag for all your personal items needed for the competition, i.e., Kleenex, water bottle, skate guards, etc. These should be for your personal use only. Please no sharing!<\/em>\u00a0 Gloves and Warm-up jackets may be worn during warm-ups but should never be worn during the competition.\u00a0 Pullover sweaters may mess up the hair when pulled over the head. Skates should be cleaned and polished for every competition.\u00a0 Make sure your laces are in decent shape before you get to the rink. If you can’t get the boots polished “Over the boot” tights are an excellent choice.\u00a0 Hair should be done tidily and be very secure.\u00a0 Bobby pins, scrunchies, rubber bands, etc. if used should be very secure.\u00a0 These items are a hazard if they fall on the ice. You might want to have a “backup” outfit and extra tights in case of an emergency.\u00a0 Extra shoelaces are also a clever idea. Don’t forget your skate guards.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Music:<\/span> Your music will be uploaded in advance to entryeeze.com for the first two competitions at Kendall Ice Arena and PB SkateZone. Music for the Finals at the Miami Open Championship will be uploaded through the USFS EMS system<\/a>.<\/h4>\n

Please note that music must be in mp3 format. No other format is accepted. It’s good for you to have a backup of your music on your smartphone in case of technical issues.<\/h4>\n

It’s good for you to have a backup of your music on your smartphone in case of technical issues.<\/h4>\n

Competition Day:<\/span> Plan to arrive at the rink one hour before your first event. You will register your child to let the competition committee know that he\/she is in the building.\u00a0 You will receive an info packet and a “goody bag”.\u00a0 You should also check to see if there have been any schedule changes and find out if the competition is running on time. For Elements and Compulsory events, find out which side of the rink you will be skating on (i.e. Zamboni end, Lobby end). Find the “Wall” where the “Start Order Sheets” and results will be posted. You should let your coach know that you have arrived and get familiar with the rink.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please come dressed from home as dressing rooms will not be available. Weather permitting, there will be an outside area available for warm-up. Your coach will want you to warm up there so be sure to have tennis shoes, jump rope, etc.\u00a0 There will be a designated area for skate changing inside the rink.\u00a0 \u00a0 As a rule, you should be fully dressed and ready with skates on, when the flight before yours actually “takes the ice”.\u00a0 Say goodbye to Mom and Dad up in the designated spectator bleachers. Your parents may not be down near the ice door.\u00a0 Your coach will stay with you before and during the event. You will check in with the “Ice Monitor” who will be standing near the door to the ice with a clipboard.\u00a0 Don’t go too far away, but don’t bother everyone either.\u00a0 The “Ice Monitor” will be lining you up and will tell you when it’s time to get on the ice for your warm-up. You and your coach will also ask the monitor if there have been any “scratches” that would change your skating order. When it’s time for your “Warm-up” (about 5 min.) you will have the opportunity to warm up your muscles and go through the elements that your coach has talked to you about.\u00a0 You want to get familiar with the ice and don’t be surprised if the ice is larger or smaller than your rink. You should try and run through your entire program to make sure everything fits. The announcer will announce that there is one (1) minute left in the warm-up and then you will be called off the ice.\u00a0 When it’s your turn the monitor will tell you to take the ice.\u00a0 Skate out to your “Spot”, take a deep breath, and make your starting pose.\u00a0 If this is a competition with music, they will start the music and off you go! Remember to smile and have fun!\u00a0 If this is an event without music (like Compulsory) you will wait until the announcer says, “You may begin”.<\/h4>\n

Results: The<\/span><\/strong><\/span> results will usually be posted about a half hour after your event.\u00a0 The results will be posted live on the official website at: basicskillsflorida.com during and after completion of the competition.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Awards:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Competition flights are limited to six skaters and all will receive a medal. There will be an award stand available for photos and you will collect your medals at the awards table after your event is finished. There may be a photographer\/Videographer at the competition.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The “Series” final placement point trophies<\/span> will be delivered to your rink a few weeks after the last competition in the “Series”.\u00a0 Rinks hosting a “Series” competition will probably have an award ceremony.<\/h4>\n

Competition Conduct:<\/span> Remember that everyone is special to someone.\u00a0 Skaters and families should be respectful of all competitors, judges, and coaches. You should try to avoid wandering, entering, and exiting in this area while the skaters are performing.\u00a0 You can move around during the warm-up periods. Be supportive with applause for all skaters.\u00a0 Not just your friends and family. Avoid hovering near the ice entrance if you are not competing. Give your support from the stands.\u00a0 Never, be rude or obnoxious.\u00a0 Never, Boo or harass skaters.\u00a0 If you are unhappy with your placement or the way you skated, remember life goes on!\u00a0 Nobody wants to see a temper tantrum or poor behavior.\u00a0 You may disagree with your placement but please remember that the judges have years of experience in the sport and are dedicated “Professional” volunteers who spend hours and hours of their time. If you happen to run into a judge after the event, thank them for judging you.\u00a0 Chances are you will see them for many years to come!<\/h4>\n

Parents:<\/span>\u00a0 Please be positive and supportive of your child at all times.\u00a0 Your child will be thrilled if you bring flowers.\u00a0 Make them feel special by taking lots of pictures.\u00a0 This will help make your child’s first competition a wonderful experience that they will remember forever!<\/h4>\n

Have Fun!!!:<\/span>\u00a0 These competitions are designed to be fun!\u00a0 You will make new friends and have an exciting day!\u00a0 Enjoy the experience!<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 Congratulations, you have worked your way through Learn to Skate USA Classes and some private lessons.\u00a0 Your coach has signed you up for your first figure skating competition!\u00a0 You are lucky; this is where future champions get their start!\u00a0 Your coach is an expert and has years of experience… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2986,"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/2986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/basicskillsflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}