Marathon Skaters Train in Toronto
MFSC Skaters Privy to World Class Training during Athlete Development Camp
by Shelley Heavens
(Left to right) Becky Harasym, Grace MacFarlane & Djaye Leduc at the Granite Club, Toronto ON for the Skate Canada Northern Ontario, Athletic Development Seminar "Champ Camp 2010". Photo by Shelley Heavens
This year, Skate Canada Northern Ontario Section took a different approach with respect to the Athlete Development Camp (August 21 and 22). In partnership with the Granite Club of Toronto ON, selected skaters, including members of the Marathon Figure Skating Club (MFSC), were invited to participate in “Champ Camp”, a two-day camp at the Granite Club, a world class venue.
From the Marathon Figure Skating Club, Rebecca Harasym, Grace MacFarlane & Djaye Leduc were invited having qualified to attend. In addition, Freelance Coach Jill Woodall was able to attend the 2 day seminar as well.
Saturday, on-ice facilitators included World Champions Jeffrey
Buttle and Shae-Lynn Bourne along with NCCP Level 5 coach, Doug Haw,
and 2010 Four Continents Champions, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje. Off-ice facilitators included Jennifer Nichols and Jesseny Rojas. Sunday, the on-ice facilitator was Ellen Burka.
The seminar focused on different disciplines with instruction presented through various workshops led by :
• The Extension Method
Presented by Jennifer Nichols, this was an energetic way to start the day. Jennifer had the skaters early in the day allowing them to get their bodies loose and ready for the next sessions.
• Edges for Excellence
Instructed by Shae-Lynn Bourne, Kaitlyn Weaver, and Andrew Poje allowed skaters to test the limits of their blades and edges.
• Injury Recovery
Jessy Rojas covered common skating injuries and recovery practices.
• Jump for Joy and Spin to Win
In this workshop, Jeffrey Buttle and Doug Haw allowed skaters to work on the technical side of their skating with some personalized attention.
• Mental Edge: Fun vs. Fear
Lead by Shae-Lynn Bourne, the workshop allowed our skaters to get to know a World Ice Dance Champion.
• Warming–up
Northern Ontario’s Senior Dance team of Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje had the skaters follow them through a typical warm-up routine.
• Theatre on Ice
Ellen Burka taught skaters that you are never too old for figure skating. Mrs. Burka turned 89 years of age, but you would not know it. Skaters performed various exercises under her direction.
• A Parent Chat
Lesley Buttle covered various topics applicable to the Northern Ontario parents.
The MFSC’s skaters gained much experience, refined their skills and made many new friends through their participation in the camp. The young athletes are very much anticipating beginning the 2010-11 season and putting all they learned into practice.
