The Beaver Valley Skating Club (BVSC) took center stage on Sunday, Nov. 26, showcasing the impressive talent of their skaters during a Simulation Day skate.
The event not only highlighted the skills of the participating skaters but also served as valuable preparation for the upcoming West Kootenay Invitational competition in Nelson Dec. 9 to 11.
The BVSC is proud to have two dedicated coaches leading their programs. Coach, Emma Keeler, a former participant in the CanSkate program, brings a wealth of experience and passion to figure skating.
A graduate of Civil Engineering, Emma joined the Kootenay community in 2020 and has since become an integral part of the BVSC coaching team, actively contributing to the development of all programs offered by the club.
Notably, Emma balances her coaching responsibilities with a full-time role as a Structural Engineer-in-Training with Hatch in Trail. Her commitment to both her profession and the skating community reflects her passion for both pursuits.
Coach Bree Fitzpatrick is an alumnus of the BVSC. She is taking an Associate of Science degree with a focus on Entry to Pharmacy. Her favourite subjects are chemistry and biology.
Bree has been a part of the club for 10 years and is the youngest coach, starting at the tender age of 17. The BVSC wishes to extend warm appreciation to Bree for her tremendous contributions and to both coaches for their unwavering efforts in nurturing the talent and passion of their skaters.
Special recognition is extended to judges Larissa Verhelst and Jillian Sibbald, whose expertise and feedback proved invaluable to the skaters. Their rich experience added a competitive edge to the event, ensuring a high standard of performance.
As the BVSC continues to flourish, the club looks forward to future successes on the ice, building on the foundation of dedication, skill, and community support that defines its vibrant skating community.
The commitment of the executive members, parent volunteers, and the enthusiastic support of the community contributed to the event’s triumph.
As a proud member of SkateCanada, BVSC offers three distinct programs tailored to different skill levels, providing a platform for skaters to develop and showcase their abilities: CanSkate, Junior Academy, and STARSkate.
The club offers its programs not only to the Beaver Valley but also to the Trail and Salmo communities.
For further information, emails can be addressed to our registrar, Robyn Fitzpatrick, at: bvskatingclub@gmail.com or the club-president, Anelda van Staden, at: bviscpresident@gmail.com.
• CanSkate is an entry-level program tailored not only to children but also to adults to form the foundations for skating to enhance their skills for figure skating, ice hockey, or as a general life skill.
Junior Academy introduces skaters to the STARSkate program and includes group lessons introducing basic skills, dance, spins, jumps, and turns for figure skaters. Fun routines are created for figure skaters to compete in and/or take Skate Canada tests.
STARSkate is geared towards skaters who choose to continue with their skating development and can compete and/or take Skate Canada tests.
