Glide along with the Innisfil Figure Skating Club
by Michelle Minnoch

This year marks the 36th year the Innisfil Figure Skating Club (IFC) has been wowing the crowds with the enormous amount of talent found in Town, and IFC President Michelle Viktil is hoping more will get involved this year.

"Last season we had about 150 participants," she said. "We have seen an increase every year and hope to again this year."

The content and the quality of the program for the club are set out by Skate Canada. Skaters practice three times a week in the Stroud Arena, but some will move to the new Rec Centre once the doors are open.

The club is divided into levels for the skaters. Learn to Skate is for pre-schoolers and those new to the sport. Viktil said the students learn one of the most important rules in skating; stopping and starting. Skaters can then move up to the Can Skate level, which allows skaters to move ahead and learn more moves, but at their own pace. Once skaters have progressed again, they move to the Star Skate level, incorporating all the skills learned in the previous levels allowing for participation in competitions.

The IFC will be hosting Huronia Fun Skate at the new Rec Centre, which Viktil said will not only benefit the skaters, but the Town as well. On January 19th and 20th, skaters from the area will be in town to take part in the skating event.

This year, the IFC will be hosting their own club competition in February, which Viktil said will be a fun competition for the skaters. As per usual, the ever popular Halloween skate will still take place, and spectators can watch the skaters perform in various outfits. In December, the IFC will also host their annual Skate with Santa.

The skating season runs from just after Thanksgiving until the end of March. At the end of the season, skaters participate in Carnival, a show for family and friends.

"There are a lot of parents who volunteers their time to help with the event," Viktil said.

The IFC coaches are NCCP certified and Viktil said the coaches help to train their students based on their personal levels, and not everyone else's.

Registration for the season will take place on Monday, September 10th and Tuesday, September 18th from 6:30 - 9 pm at the Stroud Arena. The cost to register for the Learn to Skate is $245, and $345 for Can Skate. Viktil said there is a payment plan available for parents who would like to pay in three installments.

There will also be a Skate and Dress Sale at the Stroud Arena in the beginning of October for parents to take advantage of some great deals for their growing skaters.

For more information, go to www.innisfil-skatingclub. ca.