Emerald City Figure Skating Summit
Presented by Kraken Skating Academy
Over the weekend (June 23-25), 160+ skaters from Washington, Oregon, and beyond came to Kraken Community Iceplex for the inaugural Emerald City Figure Skating Summit, presented by Kraken Skating Academy. This event was the first of its kind, allowing figure skaters to grow connections, share knowledge, and support the love of figure skating in the Pacific Northwest.
Skaters ranged in ages from six to 60 and brought all levels of skill from Learn to Skate to Senior Competitive.
The Summit featured an array of coaches including:
- Professional Skaters Association’s 2023 developmental coaching team of the year, Darin Hosier and Corrie Martin
- Caroline Silby, sports psychology consultant for the U.S. Figure Skating National Team and 2018 & 2022 Olympic Games
- Kelly Davies, National Judge for singles & pairs, theater on ice, showcase, and gold test
- Ikaika Young and Sofia Inthalaksa as special guest coaches
“We created this event to bring together skaters from all over to share their experiences and love for the sport,” said Kraken Skating Academy director Chad Goodwin. “Skating is often very solitary, so we wanted to create an environment where the athletes can make connections and feel supported.”
The Summit included on- and off-ice workshops for skaters to learn and practice their craft. On-ice sessions included jumps and spins, skating skills, and creative movement. Off-ice sessions included training in a jump harness, injury prevention, sports psychology, nutrition and more. Skaters also got to learn what judges look for and how they score competitions.
The weekend concluded with a rink-side pizza party, where skaters reflected on what they learned and enjoyed the chance to skate just for fun. Kraken Skating Academy plans to continue providing opportunities for skaters of all ages and levels. Next up is the inaugural Toe Pick Tournament, happening August 11-13, 2023. More information here.
