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• Why join a figure skating club?

Your U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills membership is an introductory membership into U.S. Figure Skating. That membership allows your skater to participate in learn-to-skate activities sponsored by the program and also in Basic Skills competitions.

 

A parent needs to be aware that there is a different type of membership in U.S. Figure Skating that enables a skater to participate in all U.S. Figure Skating activities and also includes a subscription to SKATING magazine.

 

The best way to be a part of U.S. Figure Skating is to be a member of a U.S. Figure Skating-affiliated club; in other words, membership in a U.S. Figure Skating member club includes a full membership to U.S. Figure Skating.

 

• When should your child join a figure skating club?

You may notice a display or bulletin board at your skating rink with information on joining the skating club affiliated with your ice rink, and you may wonder when your child should join that skating club.

 

Once your child is ready to take official U.S. Figure Skating tests or compete in competitions beyond the Basic Skills level, it is time to join a figure skating club. In other words, in order to take tests and enter competitions beyond the Basic Skills level, a skater must be a FULL member of U.S. Figure Skating.

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• Can you be a member of more than one skating club?  Why join more than one club?

Skaters must first be a “home club member” of a certain skating club. That is the skating club your child will represent in competitions. However, your child may also join additional skating clubs as an associate member. Associate memberships can be useful if your child needs to take tests, skate on ice time rented by a sponsoring club or participate in a certain club’s ice shows or exhibitions.

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• What activities will a skating club provide?

Some skating clubs will have monthly or weekly club sessions. These sessions may just be practice sessions, or may include seminars on different skating disciplines. These sessions may be work or fun sessions. Fun sessions could include food and skating exhibitions or even on-ice games.

 

Some skating clubs will sanction ice shows, competitions or judging critiques. All clubs will usually sponsor test sessions. Some clubs will provide opportunities for adults to become figure skating judges.

 

• Test sessions

Some skating clubs will just sponsor monthly or bi-monthly test sessions and not offer any other activities.

 

In order for your child to take skating tests, he or she must be a FULL member of U.S. Figure Skating. If your child takes a test at a club of which he or she is a member, you will be given a discount on testing fees.

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• Volunteering with a skating club

Skating clubs are run by volunteers. If possible, take the time to volunteer with your child’s skating club. Through involvement, you will learn more about skating and, at the same time, you and your child will make skating friends.

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