PRE- CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES (MAY 15-21)

SATURDAY, MAY 15

SKATING SEMINAR WITH MEAGAN DUHAMEL (DAY 1)

What better opportunity to kick start this year’s Ice Summit than with a seminar exclusively for skaters, coaches, and parents! Our host Meagan Duhamel, along with an incredible line up of presenters, will lead us through a variety of fun off-ice classes and share innovative exercises and movements that you can further incorporate into your training in preparation for the 2021-2022 skating season.

13:00 EDT

Welcome

13:05 EDT

EASY HEALTHY COOKING 

Join Holistic Nutritionist and Canadian, World and Olympic Champion, Meagan Duhamel as we prepare some healthy training snacks! Learn about the important nutritional factors in healthy training snacks in this engaging and interactive class.   

Ingredients you will need for this class: 

Smoothie
Kale or Spinach, Mango (Frozen or fresh), Pineapple (Frozen or fresh), avocado, dairy-free milk, hemp seeds and Banana

Healthy Cookies
1 cup of shredded zucchini, rolled oats, spelt flour or whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, apple sauce, coconut sugar, ground flax, maple syrup, vanilla, and chocolate chips 

14:05 EDT

THE ART OF MOVEMENT

Stéphanie Tremblay spent years performing as a dancer and currently teaches yoga, dance, and movement classes. Stéphanie will apply lessons that she learned when performing all over the World on how you can optimize movement not only for the physical state, but also for the person’s whole being. To broaden and expand their movement, Stéphanie wants to challenge the habitual ways athletes move in their sport. Come express yourself with Stéphanie!

15:05 EDT

FUN PAIR SKATING SESSION FOR ALL

The discipline of pair skating has evolved greatly in recent years. You don’t need to have a partner to start learning the pair discipline, and the recent global pandemic will have proven it to us. One thing is certain, learning to pair can be done at all ages, and at all levels of skating. During this session, you will discover multiple facets of this spectacular discipline. Teamwork, athleticism, and acrobatics. This session will also include testimonials from special guests that will surely motivate you to further explore this discipline. Join Stéphanie Valois and Yvan Desjardins for some guaranteed fun!

16:05 EDT

Synchro and Inter-Disciplinary Skills

Without advanced jumps and spins to focus on, synchronized skaters and teams spend a significant amount of time training skating skills such as stroking, edge control, turns, knee and ankle rhythm, extensions, and upper body carriage. Synchronized skating also helps skaters improve their sense of musical timing, their spatial awareness, and their ability to pick up choreography quickly. While these skills are specifically honed in synchronized skating, they can benefit skaters of all disciplines, whether you are an aspiring international competitor or professional show skater or are just looking to feel more comfortable and confident on your blades. In this class, Lisa will share helpful off-ice drills used in synchronized skating, to develop skills that will assist skaters of all disciplines, with a focus on skating skills and turns, timing drills, and a short section on choreography.

SUNDAY, MAY 16

SKATING SEMINAR WITH MEAGAN DUHAMEL (DAY 2)

13:00 EDT

WELCOME

13:05 EDT

EFFECTIVE WARM UP

Every training session requires sport specific strategies for before, during, and after to optimize adaptations, session quality, and recovery for your next training bout, training block, and competitions. We will begin our day with a warm-up and go over the optimal components of an effective warm up routine with Kelly Quipp and Anna Aylwin from the Canadian Sport Institute (CSI), Calgary and advisors on Skate Canada’s Integrated Support Team.

13:50 EDT

JUMP ROTATION AND TECHNIQUE

Ravi Walia is the coach of Canadian, World and Olympic Champion Kaetlyn Osmond, as well as many other successful skaters in Edmonton, Alberta. Ravi is a jumping prowess, landing quad toe loops in the 90’s before they were popular. Ravi is going to take you through a jump class focusing on developing rotation and jump technique off the ice, so when the athlete and coach work on the ice, the groundwork has already been done and improvement is quicker.

14:50 EDT

INNOVATIVE EXERCISES TO TRAIN EDGES OFF-ICE

Ye-Bin Mok is a former international skater from the USA. Now residing in the UK, she is a coach and works with the Ice Theatre program in the UK. Ye-Bin also took part in the UK’s Dancing on Ice, where she skated with a celebrity partner. She has developed a wonderful off ice program focusing on edge work and elongating our movement. This is a one of a kind class that you don’t want to miss!

15:45 EDT

EFFECTIVE COOL DOWN

Our physical activity is now finished, and it is time for the body to properly calm down and recover. Doing a proper cool down allows you to begin the recovery process more efficiently. Kelly and Anna will lead us through a proper cool down. Incorporating a proper warm up and cool down as part of your daily training sessions can assist in making the most of the time on the ice and potentially reducing time lost to injury.

16:45 EDT

ACTING CLASS 

Catherine Pinard is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and has worked for years with the Cirque de Soleil, and many Canadian and International Figure Skaters. Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford were the first figure skaters she worked with and has since worked with some several international Ice Dance teams. Catherine will teach you the difference between emotional movement vs. body muscular movement. She will also focus on creating a story when you perform and help you discover the treasures of music interpretation.

TUESDAY, MAY 18

13:00 EDT
PRE- CONFERENCE WEBINAR #1: FINANCE UPDATE

Presented by Mary Ellen McDonald, Senior Director of Operations, Skate Canada
This live webinar will be an opportunity for an open and transparent discussion regarding the financial health of Skate Canada. We look forward to sharing the audited financial statements for 2020-2021, discussing the budget development process, and outlining the work of the Finance & Enterprise Risk Management Committee during the past season.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19

12:00 EDT
PRE- CONFERENCE WEBINAR #2: INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Presented by Henry Burris
Henry Burris shares the lessons he has learned both on and off the field in areas of leadership, accountability, teamwork, and resilience. His infectious energy and determination to inspire leadership raises individual and team performance levels and ignites creativity and innovation.

12:35 EDT
PRE- CONFERENCE WEBINAR #3 : Optimizing mental health and mental performance to thrive and achieve success in sport

Presented by Natalie Durand-Bush, Ph. D., Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport / University of Ottawa
The objectives of this live webinar are to (a) increase participants’ understanding of mental health, mental illness, and mental performance in sport, (b) provide strategies to foster mental health, prevent mental illness, and respond to distress, and (c) share self-care tips and resources to help oneself and others thrive and achieve success on and off the ice.

THURSDAY, MAY 20

19:00 EDT
PRE- CONFERENCE WEBINAR #4: Change Connecting Community: Road to Recovery Discussion Panel

Moderated by Debra Armstrong with Lisa Alexander, Lisa Hardy, David Schultz, Fanny-Ève Tapp and Ted Barton
As the world continues to experience the Covid-19 pandemic, collaboration among various sport leaders was both effective and incredibly supportive this past year. Hear briefly about these experiences but also how restabilizing the skating system in Canada is an organization priority.

2021 ICE SUMMIT (MAY 28-29)

FRIDAY, MAY 28 

18:15 EDT
PLENARY: CHANGING SOCIETAL NORMS

Presenter: Dr. Gretchen Kerr
This presentation will address the broader societal changes that are impacting sport and prompting a cultural shift in the ways sport is designed and delivered. While calls for changes in sport have emerged from highly publicized cases of athlete maltreatment here in Canada and abroad, other societal shifts influencing sport include the ways in which talent in young people is nurtured, the constructive use of power by authority figures, and meeting growing demands for equity and inclusion. All of these influences inform the Safe Sport movement which aims to optimize the sport experience for all—athletes, coaches, sport administrators, officials, support staff, and volunteers. Key strategies for responding to calls for a shift in sport culture will be addressed in this presentation.

19:50 EDT (two sessions to choose from)
SESSION #1: BODY POSITIVE GUIDELINES 

Presenters: Dr. Judy Goss and Georgia Ens
Skate Canada works diligently to be a leader in Safe Sport, taking the next step to address body image concerns with the creation of the Positive Body Guidelines. Understanding our impact on how an athlete thinks and feels about their body is critical to athlete performance, health, and their general well-being. What is positive body image? How can you create a club or training environment that encourages a positive body culture? What support and resources are available to you? What are things that you can do for your skaters and families to support positive body image? These are among the important questions that will be addressed in our session.

SESSION #2: CONFLICT AMONGST PLAYERS, PARENTS AND COACHES IS NORMAL…BULLYING IS NOT!

Presenter: Lisa Dixon-Wells 
Participants in this workshop will establish a common language around bullying behaviour; be clear on the difference between conflict and true bullying; and learn how to take a no-nonsense approach when dealing with players, parents, coaches, or management who are using bullying tactics. As well, time permitted, coaches/management will learn the importance of having a clear policy and procedures strategy to deal with bullying behaviour so that all team members and families are held accountable for poor behavior.

20:35 EDT (two sessions to choose from)
SESSION #3: HOW TO REPORT INJURIES, CONCUSSION AND OTHER INJURIES IN FIGURE SKATING: STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION

Presenters: Stephanie Cowle and Amy Levac
In this session, participants will learn about evidence-based approaches for preventing concussions and other injuries in sport, such as rules and policies, equipment, and training. Participants will be aware of key resources and where to find them, including how to report incidents of injury and Skate Canada’s Concussion Ed app.

SESSION #4:  COMMIT TO KIDS: AN INTRODUCTION TO SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

Presenter: Karyn Kibsey
This training session is designed to empower coaches and sport professionals with practical information to help enhance child and youth safety in sport. It will increase awareness of the issue of child sexual abuse while highlighting the importance of understanding boundaries, sexual misconduct and reporting inappropriate behavior.

Commit to Kids: An Introduction to Safeguarding Children from Sexual Abuse is for individuals who work with children looking for introductory level information on child sexual abuse, or those looking to refresh their knowledge on the topic.

This video discusses:
• The scope of child sexual abuse
• Barriers to disclosure
• Grooming and boundary transgressions
• How you can help safeguard children from sexual abuse

https://vta.c3p.ca/app/en/create_account?key=058BCFB2BA4F11EBBCDAC38804CC243A

Learners will receive a record of participation following the 23 minute video and correct responses to an assessment quiz. No NCCP PD points are awarded for this training.

SATURDAY, MAY 29

10:00-12:30 EDT
SKATE CANADA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2021 Skate Canada Annual General Meeting (virtual).

13:00 EDT
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: UNLOCKING YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL LIES IN YOUR S.M.I.L.E. BY HENRY BURRIS

Henry provides a forward path with his S.M.I.L.E. steps that any individual or organization can use. Burris’s S.M.I.L.E. Success Program builds on a physical action; supported with an mnemonic acronym and a push for greater personal accountability. This program serves to change the way an individual or team can reset goal focus, better attitudes, and create success.

Henry explains his belief that the true place to find happiness is within. From the moment we are born we are filled with the desire to achieve. We continue to work through setbacks, and in the end our S.M.I.L.E. prevails.

14:05 EDT
PLENARY: ANTI-RACISM AND EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES IN WINTER SPORT

Moderator: Uzoma Asagwara. Panelists: Cynthia Appiah, Elladj Baldé, Alyson Charles, Jesse Cockney, Renee Sonnenberg
This panel features individuals involved in initiatives to increase equity, diversity and inclusion and to promote anti-racism in winter sports. The panelists will reflect on what is being done in their respective sports, discuss next steps, and build cross-sport dialogue to further goals of anti-racism and EDI across winter sports. 

15:40 EDT (two sessions to choose from)
SESSION #1  – LEARNING FROM CROSS-SPORT DIALOGUE ON EDI AND ANTI-RACISM

Debrief discussion facilitated by Skate Canada’s EDI Working Group
This session is an opportunity to engage in dialogue and share thoughts on anti-racism and EDI in skating, based on what we learn and hear from the participants in the plenary. The session is led by members of the Skate Canada EDI Working Group.

SESSION #2  – BASICS OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: SETTING THE FRAMEWORK

Presenters: Nina Condo, Executive Director, Elmwood Community Resource Centre (English) and Salimata Soro (French)
This is an interactive dialogue focused on deepening our understanding on race, oppression and the impact of racism. This is also an opportunity for us to explore ways in which Skate Canada and the skating community may further promote a just, fair, equitable and inclusive space for its community. Equity, Diversity Inclusion and Anti-Racism practices need to be reflected throughout organizational structure in order to yield sustainable results. Sessions are offered in English and French.

16:25 EDT (two sessions to choose from)
SESSION #3  – HOW TO BE AN ALLY

Presenters: Nina Condo, Executive Director, Elmwood Community Resource Centre (English) and Salimata Soro (French)
In this workshop, we discuss key and foundational characteristics of being an effective ally. We will review the role of self-reflection, recognizing our own experiences of oppression, and how this can inform and address oppressions faced by other groups. As an Ally we may possess power and privilege that can be used to leverage lasting changes that promote an inclusive, diverse skating community and promote racial equity within Skate Canada. Sessions are offered in French and English

SESSION #4  – NEXT STEPS IN EDI AND ANTI-RACISM IN THE SKATING COMMUNITY

Presenters: Members of the EDI Working Group
This session provides a brief overview of recent and upcoming initiatives by Skate Canada and the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group, followed by an engaged Q&A to inform next steps for EDI and anti-racism in our skating community.

2021 ICE SUMMIT – EXHIBIT HALL (MAY 21-30)

From May 21-30, the Exhibit Hall will provide conference attendees the opportunity to visit various virtual booths with diverse features! Access informative and educational programming content, hear about various project contributors and successful achievements this season, and learn about different products and services from sponsors and suppliers, etc.

SKATE CANADA PROGRAMMING BOOTH

New Virtual Assessments: Supporting Skater Achievements

In this session, we have drawn on our experience of assessing over 1300 individual assessments at the STAR 6-Gold level through virtual assessment days since it was introduced in December 2020. This session will feature testimonials from evaluators, skaters, coaches, and assessment chairs about their experience. An update regarding the overall collaboration and engagement of this project, as well as future plans will also be presented.
Moderator: Amy Thiffault, Officials Development Coordinator

Offering Covid-Safe Skating Programs

A look at how clubs, schools, and coaches from across the country adjusted their delivery in offering Covid-safe programs during the pandemic. Learn about innovative strategies and lessons learned that were experienced this past season for the new 2021-2022 skating season ahead.
Moderator: Heather McMahon, Skating Programs Coordinator

Return to Skating Guidelines

The 2020-2021 skating season was like no other.  Athletes and coaches had limited access to on-ice training and competitions, frequently trained off-ice in a virtual environment, and had to navigate the psychosocial aspects of the pandemic.  Skate Canada in collaboration with its coaches and the high-performance integrated support team (IST) developed the Return to Skating Guidelines as a resource for coaches to prepare their athletes for a safe re-integration back to the daily training environment (DTE) and the return to on-ice training.  The presentation will expand on this resource and will provide coaches and club administrators information to help plan for the 2021-2022 season.  The focus will be on the health and well-being of the athlete as they transition back to training by ensuring proper physical, emotional, and mental preparedness.
Presenters: Kelly Quipp and Anna Aylwin, CSI Calgary and Skate Canada’s IST

Get to know: the “Secret World” of Synchro

Synchronized skating has been around since 1956, yet it remains the most unknown and perhaps misunderstood discipline of the figure skating world. Many people hear synchro and think of the famous kick lines that the sport was once known for, but few people are aware of the current state of the sport; the speed, the skating skills required, and the impressive feat of group lifts, synchronizing 8 death spirals, or matching 16 quadruple twizzles.

OneTeamMVMT invites you to learn more about the sport of synchronized skating, and the opportunities it can provide to skaters, whether hoping to travel the world with your best friends and teammates, compete at an ISU world championship, become an international coach, or show skater, or simply develop your skills and engage in your favourite form of physical activity in a team setting, while having fun!
Presenter: Lisa Carrière, Executive Director, OneTeamMVMT

SPIN-A-POLLZA with Sheila & Kim

This is all about innovation & spinning.  AIR & GROUND.  Sheila Thelen will be focusing on the Champion Off Ice Harness & Electric Spinner.  How to create
vestibular balance & air position on jumps.   All levels will be shown.   Kim Ryan Lewis will be sharing her affordable off ice spin boards and how they translate to spins on the ice.
Presenters: Sheila Thelen, President/Designer of Champion; Kim Ryan Lewis, President/Designer of Spinergy 

Equipment Awareness - How To Maximize Skaters’ Performance

Precision Blade Honing Enterprises Inc. (PBHE) is an international consulting, training, and servicing company specializing in figure skating equipment. They have worked closely with National, World, and Olympic skaters and have seen what a huge impact equipment can have on a skater’s training, improvement, consistency, performance, and health. PBHE is passionate about sharing their knowledge to help skaters achieve their dreams!

During this seminar PBHE will break down the three vital elements of a skater’s equipment – the boots, insoles, and blades – and how they must work together to achieve maximum results. PBHE will identify key features of each element and how they directly affect your skating. They will also share some tips, tricks, and warnings that are essential to know when purchasing new equipment. This information will help you ask the right questions when buying new equipment and prevent you from future equipment related injuries.

More information can be found on PBHE’s website: www.precisionblade.com
Presenters: Brian Holtham and Paulette Medal

Introduction to Club Governance

Managing a skating club is not easy. When it comes to club governance it’s sometimes necessary to do what others have done before because it’s what is familiar and what people know how to do. But to have a highly functioning and successful club, it is critical to have a good governance framework and to constantly strive to improve and sustain it. This webinar will help your club review and reflect on its governance practices and see where it can improve.
Presenter: Jeff Partrick, Corporate Services Director, Skate Canada

Make More Room for Rotation – with Jonathan Mills and Brian Orser

You may have heard of off ice harness training….but you’ve never seen it like this before!

Join Jonathan Mills and Brian Orser from the new, state of the art, off ice training facility called The Rotation Room in Toronto, Ontario. Learn about how harness and bungee training is taking the figure skating world by storm and producing some incredible results! During this session, you’ll learn more about harness and bungee equipment, off ice coaching techniques, and experience a live demonstration of this innovative equipment (with Grayson Long).
Presenters: Jonathan Mills and Brian Orser

SKATE CANADA RECOGNITION BOOTH

Lessons Learned -A Season of Virtual Officiating

Skate Canada’s Officials Assignment and Promotion Committee presents Lessons Learned -A Season of Virtual Officiating which highlights takeaways and personal experiences from this past year. The webinar is hosted by Ted Barton and Nicole LeBlanc-Richard, with recorded interviews from Skate Canada’s Challenge Production Team, Referee, Judges, Technical Panel, Service Technicians, Data Specialists, as well as discussions with ISU level Synchro Judges.
Presenters: Ted Barton and Nicole LeBlanc-Richard