- Joined
- Nov 19, 2010
It's almost like roller skating, except they still have at least these two tests.
I don't know how helpful this will be for skaters. A lot of parents who are overzealous about their children's skating careers will probably try to move their children up. You are right; the coaches will have to be really strict about moving their kids.
On the flip side, you may have someone who "likes to win" and will stay at the lower level just to win...
On the flip side, you may have someone who "likes to win" and will stay at the lower level just to win...
It'll be harder to hold back ... the 17 year olds sitting in Pre-nov won't be able to ... nor in Nov ... once you hit the age cap, is move up or move out. The expanded Juvie age is a good idea; however, the low level test for pre-nov may make it a "why bother" - and as pre-nov is already the largest category in most comps, it will be interesting to see the effect.
Yes, but, at least we have the age limits to move them out ... you won't have 16 year olds doing pre-nov ...
I'm not familiar with the previous Canadian test/competition structure.
What about kids who start skating at 13-14-15 and can't pass the gold test by the time they're 16 or 17? Is the move-up-or-move-out philosophy going to tell them they're not welcome in the sport at all?
I'm not familiar with the previous Canadian test/competition structure.
What about kids who start skating at 13-14-15 and can't pass the gold test by the time they're 16 or 17? Is the move-up-or-move-out philosophy going to tell them they're not welcome in the sport at all?
StarSkate is the Canadian test track, and it's the zone for the majority of Canadian figure skaters. There are multiple opportunities for competitions (this year, more for StarSkaters than Competitive in Ontario); they have regional and provincial championships; and there are no age limits at all. I've seen skaters start at 14 or 15, or as early as age 3, and they have a very good, well-supported competitive structure that gives them excellent avenues for competition. You also have different "categories" in the StarSkate stream, seperate from freeskate, etc, with Interpretive events and Triathlon events (freeskate, skating skills, interpretive combined in one event).
Thus, the skater who doesn't want the demands of the competitive track has a very real option.