Welcome to Ponoka Ice Sensations Synchronized Skating
The following is an overview of how synchro works.
Team Managers – Each team has a volunteer team manager that has been chosen by the coach. These people will provide ongoing information. Be sure to respond and help them out; remember, they are volunteers.
General Information - Skaters are expected to be registered in at least one other discipline such as canskate, jumpstart or privates. No exceptions.
Registration and Payments - In the past skating invoices were issued in September and consisted of the initial synchro payment, coaches practice fees and ice time. Many small invoices followed throughout the year as make up, competition tights, costumes, competition fees, coaches hotel rooms etc... were purchased. Last year the pre-novice team paid a lump sum and kept track of what the costs were (anything left over was reimbursed). This worked well so all teams will now be billed this way.
Costs are divided by the number of skaters on the team (competition fees, ice costs, make up, coaching, coaches hotel room, etc...).
You will be accountable whether you are in attendance or not.
Prices will fluctuate from year to year.
Please contact our treasurer to set up a payment plan if this would work best for you.
Dress Code - Club black practise dress will be assigned; these are to be worn at all practises including practise before competition and turned back in at the end of the season. You are responsible for your dress for the year. The number on the tag will be recorded as they are handed out and a $50 deposit cheque (postdated for the end of the year) collected.
Competition Dress – The competition dress will be the responsibility of the costume parent. They will be responsible for all of the costumes at all times and will hand them out to each skater at competitions and collect them after. This also goes for competition tights and hair pieces.
Skater attire - For competitions, all teams wear black yoga style pants, a white shirt, black jacket and running shoes. Any bag can be used to carry skates but we often find a carry on size suit case works well (and can be used again).
Competitions – If the team is attending a competition that requires a stay, the team manager will book a block of rooms and you will be responsible to call the hotel to make your reservation. The team all stays at the same hotel and will do some team building, synchro family socializing etc…
While at the competition the teams and families all sit together and cheer together.
Typically a 10 or 15 minute practise skate will happen prior to the competition starting, this could even mean the day before. Although a very short time, a very important time for the team to find their bearings. If a skater misses the practise skate, they will not be able to skate the competition.
Competition is a time for parents to sit back and enjoy the show! All competitions have restricted dressing rooms. The coach, PA, manager and costume or make up volunteer will be allowed in the dressing rooms. This applies to all of the competitions & all teams.
Double Skater – This is a skater who will skate on both teams. This skater has been asked to skate on the younger team to help with the number of skaters, to promote team moral and team leadership. This is a big responsibility to ask of a skater but it helps in the development of the team. This skater will pay for two competition dresses but otherwise their financial commitment is to the older team.
Fundraising – Fundraising in synchro is always an option! Different from other fundraising, synchro fundraising is not mandatory BUT only those that participate will see the benefits. Synchro fundraising will go directly to those that partakes accounts. If you have fundraising ideas, talk to your manager. Fundraising does need board approval.
Volunteering – Please remember that we are all volunteers. Your help and ideas are always greatly appreciated…..you always get out of something what you put in. There are many opportunities to give back to your skaters team, no manager ever wants to do it all on their own!
Team Managers – Each team has a volunteer team manager that has been chosen by the coach. These people will provide ongoing information. Be sure to respond and help them out; remember, they are volunteers.
General Information - Skaters are expected to be registered in at least one other discipline such as canskate, jumpstart or privates. No exceptions.
Registration and Payments - In the past skating invoices were issued in September and consisted of the initial synchro payment, coaches practice fees and ice time. Many small invoices followed throughout the year as make up, competition tights, costumes, competition fees, coaches hotel rooms etc... were purchased. Last year the pre-novice team paid a lump sum and kept track of what the costs were (anything left over was reimbursed). This worked well so all teams will now be billed this way.
Costs are divided by the number of skaters on the team (competition fees, ice costs, make up, coaching, coaches hotel room, etc...).
You will be accountable whether you are in attendance or not.
Prices will fluctuate from year to year.
Please contact our treasurer to set up a payment plan if this would work best for you.
Dress Code - Club black practise dress will be assigned; these are to be worn at all practises including practise before competition and turned back in at the end of the season. You are responsible for your dress for the year. The number on the tag will be recorded as they are handed out and a $50 deposit cheque (postdated for the end of the year) collected.
Competition Dress – The competition dress will be the responsibility of the costume parent. They will be responsible for all of the costumes at all times and will hand them out to each skater at competitions and collect them after. This also goes for competition tights and hair pieces.
Skater attire - For competitions, all teams wear black yoga style pants, a white shirt, black jacket and running shoes. Any bag can be used to carry skates but we often find a carry on size suit case works well (and can be used again).
Competitions – If the team is attending a competition that requires a stay, the team manager will book a block of rooms and you will be responsible to call the hotel to make your reservation. The team all stays at the same hotel and will do some team building, synchro family socializing etc…
While at the competition the teams and families all sit together and cheer together.
Typically a 10 or 15 minute practise skate will happen prior to the competition starting, this could even mean the day before. Although a very short time, a very important time for the team to find their bearings. If a skater misses the practise skate, they will not be able to skate the competition.
Competition is a time for parents to sit back and enjoy the show! All competitions have restricted dressing rooms. The coach, PA, manager and costume or make up volunteer will be allowed in the dressing rooms. This applies to all of the competitions & all teams.
Double Skater – This is a skater who will skate on both teams. This skater has been asked to skate on the younger team to help with the number of skaters, to promote team moral and team leadership. This is a big responsibility to ask of a skater but it helps in the development of the team. This skater will pay for two competition dresses but otherwise their financial commitment is to the older team.
Fundraising – Fundraising in synchro is always an option! Different from other fundraising, synchro fundraising is not mandatory BUT only those that participate will see the benefits. Synchro fundraising will go directly to those that partakes accounts. If you have fundraising ideas, talk to your manager. Fundraising does need board approval.
Volunteering – Please remember that we are all volunteers. Your help and ideas are always greatly appreciated…..you always get out of something what you put in. There are many opportunities to give back to your skaters team, no manager ever wants to do it all on their own!
Synchronized Skating - Changes to age requirements (Effective 1 July, 2017)
Rationale Over the past two years, the Synchronized Skating community has had the opportunity to provide feedback on how to improve the sport of Synchronized Skating. This feedback has been collected via surveys, Coaches conferences at Synchro Nationals, as well as at the Synchro Summit at the 2015 Synchro World Championships in Hamilton.
One commonality consistently heard from all sources, was the need to revise the age structure for many of the current Synchro categories. As well, there was a desire to adjust the program time for one category to allow for better quality of performances.
The age requirements for Synchronized Skating team members participating in non-qualifying events are as follows:
Rationale Over the past two years, the Synchronized Skating community has had the opportunity to provide feedback on how to improve the sport of Synchronized Skating. This feedback has been collected via surveys, Coaches conferences at Synchro Nationals, as well as at the Synchro Summit at the 2015 Synchro World Championships in Hamilton.
One commonality consistently heard from all sources, was the need to revise the age structure for many of the current Synchro categories. As well, there was a desire to adjust the program time for one category to allow for better quality of performances.
The age requirements for Synchronized Skating team members participating in non-qualifying events are as follows:
- Beginner I: At least 75% of skaters must not have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- BEGINNER II: Skaters must not have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition AND at least 75% of skaters must not have reached the age of 10 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- ELEMENTARY: Skaters must not have reached the age of 15 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- PRE-JUVENILE: Skaters must not have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- JUVENILE: Skaters must not have reached the age of 15 as of July 1st preceding the competition and at least 75% of skaters must not have reached the age of 13 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- PRE-NOVICE: Skaters must have reached the age of 12 as of July 1st preceding the competition but must not have reached the age of 18 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- ADULT SYS CLASS I: Skaters must have reached the age of 18 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- ADULT SYS CLASS II: Skaters must have reached the age of 18 as of July 1st preceding the competition AND at least 75% of skaters must have reached the age of 25 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- ADULT SYS CLASS III: Skaters must have reached the age of 19 as of July 1st preceding the competition and at least 75% of skaters must have reached the age of 35 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- NOVICE: Skaters must have reached the age of 10 as of July 1st preceding the competition but must not have reached the age of 15 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- INTERMEDIATE: Skaters must have reached the age of 13 as of July 1st preceding the competition but must not have reached the age of 19 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- JUNIOR: Skaters must have reached the age of 13 as of July 1st preceding the competition but must not have reached the age of 19 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- OPEN: Skaters must have reached the age of 15 as of July 1st preceding the competition.
- SENIOR: Skaters must have reached the age of 15 as of July 1st preceding the competition.