I'm just a skating fan watcher -- I've never skated, though I think it might be fun to try! Also I live in Central Washington -- though I'm in Seattle a lot for various reasons.
Thanks for the detailed schedule, Chris! It looks like there's a huge gap between the practice sessions and the first competition schedule on Friday -- so maybe, as Moonlightskater said, maybe we can meet inside the front entrance at let's say 5 p.m. and take it from there? Saturday and Sunday looked packed, with practices/warmup/competition all day. So I think Friday might be best to organize something formal.
ETA: This is my first live skating event, so please bear with my lack of knowledge of how it all works!
You had better take care, Mrs. P. First time I went to a competition (Spokane Skate America 2002) I was hooked, line and sinker. But then in 2004 I retired and I could go to SA, Nats, 4 Conts, LA Worlds 2009, etc and I could feed the addiction. An event is nothing like what you see on TV. Practice is open seating so you can sit right up front and feel the wind as the skaters pass. There is lots of interesting stuff going on during practice and warm-ups. There is beautiful music, stars sitting all around you, and drama. And exhaustion, also. There are long bathroom lines for the ladies (snicker snicker) at some events. There is poor arena food if any. Or good. One never knows. Some events allow food and water in, some dont. There are different camera rules at every event. Make sure you know how to turn off your flash. And there are certain fan rules if you wish to sit with folks you wish to be liked by. I try hard to play well with others. I am not negative and I dont talk during a performance. I dont run around the seats trying to get autographs from Scott or Tara or Todd. They have a right to their privacy. If Brian B. sits next to me, I might make a positive flipant remark that will get a laugh but I generally leave the stars alone, unless I know them. It is generally considered OK to sit next to friends during performances if there are lots of empty seats (And at SA there usually are.) If someone asks you to move from their seat, go quickly and quietly. If someone at practice wants me to move from "their" seat, I dont make a fuss and just move. But practices are open seating. Above all, have fun and remember that attitude is everything. If you want to make lots of friends you would like to meet up with year after year, be polite, positive, listen much and talk little.
I have met the most amazing people who are diehard fans at these events and I learn so much from them about skating and everything else. Oh, and the arena can be cold during practice and very warm during competitions....be prepared for anything!
And if I forget anyone's name, please be kind....old age isnt for sissies! Must get back to making my personal Program guide.
But later on could work for me as well!
If I'm able to make it, I'll find something eye-catching to wear! All I know is that I will bring a foam pad to sit on. My butt got sore from those hard plastic seats at Comcast Arena (Skate America 2008). BTW, does anyone know what the camera policy will be for this event?
