Competitive figure skating moms...

[tjmw2727]

Thanks Tammi - that's about what I thought. It seems that in the higher basics some girls wear a practice dress or skirt and others just streetwear, nylon sweats or stretchpants. Both my dd's are going to wear a practice skirt and pretty sweater.

They are both getting a couple private lessons as a treat and to help them get ready. More so that they understand the terms and what is expected than for a good result. My oldest dd's coach is going to "string the elements together" in a casual routine but not to music. Evidently this is allowed, my younger is just going to perform as asked.

TJ

ps- I am from Wakefield, hello neighbor.

 

[Shells9]

That's how we got interested in the program was a flyer at DD's elementary school. That, and a half off coupon, lol!

This will be DD's first time with an actual program. She has a one minute program (which she needs to speed up a bit!) to a song called "See It, Feel It" which is some big bandy type music her coach selected. She wants to use, "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from Lion King for her June competition, then we go until November until the final competition of this series.

We have a limited resources for skaters in our immediate area to physically visit, so I have had to get all of the outfits from the internet. I got a very nice Mondor warm up suit on close out for $69 for both pieces, so I thought that was great, considering the jacket alone at the pro shop was $75.

Here are some pics from her first competition. The lady with her is my mom:
Learn to Skate Competition

 

[TammiMcMan]

My oldest dd's coach is going to "string the elements together" in a casual routine but not to music.

Yes, thats most definitely allowed. Some competitions don't allow them to have music until they're at the freestyle level. You don't have to say the club, but which town do you skate in? I might even know your DD's coach. There aren't too many of them, so they usually spend time at all the rinks. I kind of figured that if DS continues to skate and to test, that someday he could try his hand at coaching. Right now he helps out at our local learn to skate program and he really likes it.

Tammi

 

[TammiMcMan]

Shells9,

I love the internet. I bought most of my DD's skating dresses from E-bay and (knock on wood) I've never had a problem.

She looks great in the pics and I love the sparkley design on her skating dress. Nice to see her having so much fun with it. My DD recently skated to A Wish is a Dream your Heart Makes, from Cinderella. You hear a lot of Disney songs at these competitions, LOL. Yup, $69 for a 2 piece Mondor is a good price. There are good deals out there on close-outs and discontinued items.

Tammi

 

[tjmw2727]

Tammi

We skate in Reading - you probably will know some of the coaches as I think they are affiliated with a Saugus rink as well. Small world isn't it?

TJ

 

[TammiMcMan]

TJ,

I know the club and I know the coaches. You can also find them coaching in Peabody, Newburyport and a few other rinks. Any questions, feel free to send me a PM.

Tammi

 

[RUDisney]

Tammi, your DS skated at jr nationals with a friend's DS. My friend's DS ranked 6th. I've talked to his father about the expenses and since his DS made the national team, he should get sponsors to help with some expenses. They spend about $3,000 per year to buy 2 pairs of skates. His mother decided to home school him due to his practice schedule and now works for the ice rink to help with the ice time expenses. My friend told me that his DS has 2 costumes that cost about $30,000. That is just unbelievable to me.

Has your DS skated at the world competition? Adam competed at his first world competition last year and did better than his parents expected that he would.

I am so impressed at people who have helped their children to tap into and to cultivate their talents.

 

[TammiMcMan]

RUDisney,

That's so cool. The Jr Nationals trip was a complete whirlwind for us. My DS finished 6th at regionals, but then got a call just 3 weeks prior to JN's asking if he'd like to come. One of our area skaters was injured. DH and I raced around trying to get airline tickets from Mass to Arizona, rental car and try to find a hotel to stay at. That was quite a time for us. Due to expenses, only my DH and DS could go. They had a great time though and met some wonderful people. I remember my husband mentioning what a great skater Adam is. That is wonderful that he was invited to the world team. Colin hasn't advanced that far yet, he's only just started to land his double axel and a triple. He skated a perfect routine in the qualifying round at JN's, but he just didn't have the technical difficulty that the other skaters had. It was a joy to see the huge smile on his face at the end of the performance though.

My husband jokes that he could be driving a BMW if DS didn't skate, but I can't even imagine spending that much money on a costume. Wow! Colin only takes lessons 2 days a week and skates 4 sessions. He's in public school, plays on a select soccer team, the school track team and is involved in drama and chorus. I'm not sure if he'll ever make a complete committment to skating. Now that we've made the move to a higher level club, he's seen the sacrifices that these kids have made for the sport and he's just not ready to give anything up yet. He hopes to continue with it, compete and to work in the skating field as a sports therapist. As long as he's happy, we'll stick with what we're doing.

Tammi

 

[Shells9]

Okay, STOP! You all are scaring me, lol!

I can very easily see how the expenses involved with this sport can escalate. WOW!

I went this am and got DD some make up and some body glitter. I do not want to end up with a Little Girls in Pretty Boxes deal, though! She will be the most modest one out there I bet!

Let me ask you all who travel about coaching expenses. How do you pay? I heard that you pay for their travel and lodging -- is this accurate? Also, is it appropriate to give the coach a small gift of appreciation following a competition, and if so, what have you given?

Thanks so much!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks Tammi - I will probably do that! Its been so nice to read everyones comments and experiences. Thanks to all for the links to pictures they are all so happy!

TJ

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Shells9,

More scary news, yes you pay for the coaches travel expenses. You should get a breakdown from the coach outlining the rates and what you will be charged for. We also pay a set fee of one-hour for any competition that the coach comes to. I don't think you have to worry about overnight travel expenses for a while, LOL, but you will be responsible for the coaches meals, lodging and mileage if you do get to that point.

I had one coach who I paid on a weekly basis and my son's current coach sends us a bill.

No, you don't need to give the coach a gift after a competition. Even though skating has become a year round sport, I'd consider the April/May time to be the end of the year and I've given out little gifts of thank you to group lessons teachers and coaches. Through the internet, I've found some sites that sell small skating pins, something along that line.

Tammi

 

[shelbyjosh]

I find it hard to believe that someone paid $30,000 for 2 figure skating outfits. Come on, Michelle Kwan wears Vera Wang dresses and they aren't that much!! I think somebody is stretching the truth to you! As far as coach fees, one of DDs coach's does NOT charge us travel or comp fees. The other coach (the one DD and I prefer!) does. She charges me 1 hr to warm her up before competing. She did tell me that if we did any out-of-town comps she would split her bill will all her competing students. I know she will be putting DD on the ice for 2 local comps this summer.

As far as the cost of skates go, they can get pricey. Especially if you have custom made boots. DD has a pronation, so she need arch supports made for her boots. The next pair are probably going to be up there. I think her coach wants her in Pattern 99 K-Picks. She will stay in Klingbeils since they have minimal break-in time and she really likes them.

 

[TammiMcMan]

she would split her bill will all her competing students

That's a nice thing when it happens. Unfortunately for us, that wasn't usually the case. A lot of the coaches other students didn't choose to travel to any out of town competitions and then my DS ended up being at a higher level and there was no one else to share the expenses with us.

I think her coach wants her in Pattern 99 K-Picks

My DS uses a Pattern 99 blade, but without the K-pick. He loves them and we were told that he shouldn't "out jump" them.

 

[CarolA]

If Michelle PAID retail for her costumes I bet they would be well over $30,000. Couture is expensive and hers qualify. (All handmade, hand beaded etc...)

I can easily see the costumes getting VERY expensive. Hand beading and hand sewing are not cheap, plus a top level designer is expensive also.

I have to be honest, I have seen some horrid costumes that cost a fortune however.

 

[tmq2766]

The nice thing for us is that being on a team of 14 girls the cost of coaches, off ice, on ice and travel is split between 14 families. We are keeping our fingers crossed that fi she continues she will strive for a scholarship. Who knows.....
This Saturday we are doing an exhibition at our rink for team and then on Sunday 4 of our girls were invited to another rink for solo exhibition.
Do they have synchonized or formation teams at any of the rinks that you guys skate at, or am I the only synchro mom here?
By the way just our of curiosity what music do your children skate to? DD is currently skating he solo to Lion King broadway, very African lots of drums and african chanting.....

 

[shelbyjosh]

My DD skates to music from "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron". If you have listened to it, the music is from track 8. Very pretty music. She picked it out and her coach cut it. She can really get into it when she is out there. One girl in our club skates to music from "The Rescuers". One girl did a program to music from Illuminations. I like the idea of getting away from the traditional classical music.

 

[tmq2766]

bump

 

[TammiMcMan]

DS has a short and long program. He uses a Hungarian dance music for the short and Lord of the Rings on his long. He's had LoTR music for 2 years now, so he's ready for a change. He found something from Pirates of the Caribbean that he really likes. He'll be exhibiting at an upcoming show and he picked out music from Garth Brooks for that one. Normally, they don't get to have any words, so he's always happy when he gets an exhibition to do. Right now he's in the midst of choreographing those 2 new routines with his coach.

 

[Shells9]

I think we are going to have coaching fees for this competition (even though it is just a Basic Skills one) since the skating coordinator said they were only sending one coach to keep our costs down.

No one has said anything to me about the cost of music either. DD's coach selected it, cut it and dubbed it for us. I guess I will ask her that tonight.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this thread -- it has been very helpful!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Shells9,

A ballpark figure for music is about $20 for the two cassettes. I'm guessing her routine is about 1 minute in length. When I need to have DS's done by a professional, it runs about $50 and that's for 2 cd's and 2 cassette tapes.

I'd also recommend that you ask your coach for a breakdown of her charges. She should have something available that shows her fee for competitions, music, missed lessons, etc.... Even though we sometimes get very friendly with the coaches, it's still a business and knowing everything up front will help to stop any hurt feelings down the road.

Tammi