#skatewithkaet Figure Skating Seminar

Thursday, January 24th, 2019
Lethbridge Skating Club skaters had a unique opportunity to participate in a figure skating seminar with Olympic Medalist, 2018 World Champion, and 3-time Canadian Champion, Kaetlyn Osmond.

61 skaters and almost a dozen coaches had the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by Kaetlyn.  The day started with a session just for coaches to have a conversation with Kaetlyn, ask any questions they might have and just get to know her before the skaters arrived.  Then it was time to take to the ice with two groups of private lessons figure skaters, all keen, ready to learn and geared up in their SkateWithKaet seminar shirts. The focus for the first session was edges, skills and spins.  Kaetlyn led the skaters through a series of exercises that focused on positions, posture and carriage, knee bend, strength, knee and ankle motion, and quality and depth of edge. ​​

After a break to recharge and meet with the local media, Kaetlyn joined some of our youngest skaters on the ice during their Canskate session!  The skaters were treated to a personal demonstration from Kaetlyn and had the opportunity to pose with her for a group photo!  Although many of them probably didn't know who she was, there were certainly some excited parents!

Our group STARSkate program is our introduction to figure skating, and a group of 21 of these skaters had Kaetlyn all to themselves on the ice as they worked on fundamental skills as well as some jumps and spins. Next our older skater were back on the one group at a time and ready to learn some of Kaetlyn's jumping technique! When not on the ice with Kaetlyn, skaters participated in a yoga class with instructor Davin Johnson.  Yoga helps figure skaters enhance flexibility, balance and total body muscular endurance. ​

In addition to providing this opportunity to its own skaters, the Lethbridge Skating Club was able to extend the opportunity to a handful of skaters from smaller clubs around the South Region, including Brooks, Cypress, Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass.  Skaters from the smaller towns are sometimes at a bit of a disadvantage because their clubs don't have the numbers to allow them to bring in the big names like Kaetlyn Osmond and Elvis Stojko.  The visiting skaters who participated in the seminar had a great time and we were happy to have them join us!

All in all, the seminar was fantastic, and the memories made will last a lifetime!  We thank Kaetlyn for coming and sharing her skills and knowledge with our skaters and coaches.  The club is already working on a fantastic seminar for next season!

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https://www.facebook.com/LethbridgeSkating/photos/a.143071466135984/606614179781708/?type=3&theater

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https://globalnews.ca/news/4887608/kaetlyn-osmond-lethbridge-figure-skaters/

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https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2019/01/25/olympic-medalist-kaetlyn-osmond-stops-by-lethbridge-for-a-seminar-with-local-skaters/