Skate Battlefords’ Junior, Intermediate, Senior group 2020. (submitted photo/Cindy Tymoruski)

By Martin Martinson

Figure Skating

Skate Battlefords happy to continue season, despite challenges this year

Nov 26, 2020 | 2:42 PM

It has been a challenging year for Skate Battlefords.

Like many organizations throughout the sporting world and beyond, the ongoing pandemic has offered a number of hurdles to clear this year.

However, rather than dwell on the difficulty, the local figure skating club has decided to make the most of their season and remain optimistic through the adversity.

The latest challenge comes after the province postponed all group and team sports, as they had previously been allowed to operate.

According to the new restrictions, only athletes 18 years of age and under may continue practicing, conditioning and skills training, so long as they do so in groups of eight or fewer. All, including coaches (who are not limited in the training group numbers), must wear a mask and keep at least three metres of physical distancing at all times.

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Skate Battlefords coach, Cindy Tymoruski, said it was tough to hear the news of further number restrictions, but was also quick to follow-up with a positive focus on the game plan moving forward.

“We’re sort of disappointed because we have to dial things back, but the important thing is the health and well-being of all,” she said. “We will just adjust accordingly, but [thankfully] we have the option in the rinks to adjust our groups on the ice so we can do off-ice training, as well as on-ice.”

Even prior to yesterday’s announcement, the 2020 winter season was not without its obstacles.

The organization saw a significant hit to the number of children enrolled in their entry-level ‘Can-Skate’ program this year, due to restrictions surrounding physical contact with skaters. Restrictions have make it extremely difficult for beginner skaters to enroll this season.

“Because we can’t get close to them or touch them, [all our skaters] have to be able to get up by themselves if they fall down,” Tymoruski said. “That really restricts our numbers this year, because we typically get a lot of kids in that preschooler age group, so they need assistance to get up. Usually we are able to give a helping hand when needed, but unfortunately we can’t really offer that right now.”

Despite the unique set of challenges, Tymoruski said they are just grateful to be able to host a skating season this year. She said it’s important to provide an outlet for the children and youth in the community to pursue their passion of skating.

“It’s awesome to be able to go do what I love to do and the skaters get to come do what they love to do,” she said. “They are pretty goal-oriented, so being able to continue to achieve their goals is a bit of a challenge, but we are lucky that we’re still able to at least try to do that.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1