The Beaver Valley Skating Club’s season is in full swing as the club hit the ice for its annual Lap-a-thon Friday, and recognized two of its skaters’ strong performances at recent competitions.
Close to 40 skaters from StarSkaters to adults helped raise money for the B.V. Skating Club by gathering pledges and taking to the ice for fun and fitness in the hour-long lap-a-thon.
Each skater was assigned to one of four teams throughout the event in an effort to foster friendships and cooperation, but most importantly - participation.
Included were team-leaders Jacob Verhelst and Mackenzie Walts, both recently returned from provincial skating competitions.
Walts competed in the Super Series Autumn Leaves competition in Chilliwack last month, and came in a very impressive fifth place out of 17 skaters in Senior Bronze women. Walts scored a 10.42 in elements and 7.86 in program components for a combined 18.28, finishing less than two-points away from a bronze medal.
“I was really surprised,” said Walts. “I was like ‘Oh really?’ I had a better score than I expected but some of my jumps were not so good.”
The Fruitvale native skates up to 20 hours per week between the B.V. Club and Nelson figure skating club to prepare for the skate competitions.
Meanwhile Jacob Verhelst competed in the B.C./Yukon Sectional Championship in Richmond earlier this month, placing sixth overall.
“It was a very good experience, I took a lot away from it and know what to do for next time,” said Verhelst.
The sectionals are also a qualifying competition for the Skate Canada Challenge in Regina next month, and the rankings are used to select the skaters for the B.C. Winter Games in Mission in February.
The club is now preparing for its next competition, the East Kootenay Invitational, in Kimberley Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.