Pair Skating Education NonTechnical Presented by Richard Gauthier

Pair Skating Education Non-Technical Presented by: Richard Gauthier and David Schultz

Welcome! ….

Richard Gauthier • Current World/Olympic Level Coach • Over 30 years of pair coaching experience with multiple world and Olympic Competitors

My Story…

David Schultz • High Performance Director for Skate Canada Saskatchewan and current National Level Coach • 2. 5 years of pair coaching experience (10 years total coaching)

My Story…

What is pair skating?

Opportunities for Coaches? • An easier path to have skaters at Challenge and Canadians • Professional development and exposure • Athlete retention in the club and in the sport • Opportunity to collaborate/team with other coaches

Opportunities for Skaters? • Exploring new discipline (training/competing) • Possibly an easier path to Challenge and Canadians • Increased competitive exposure and experience earlier in the athlete’s development. • Competitive success and longevity in sport helps future professional opportunities (coaching, touring)

How do you start a beginner level pair team? • • • Identifying skaters (coaches) Building the elements as you build the relationship Best practice (order, safety, rules of progressions) Off-ice first! Benefits to starting younger skaters in pairs

Communication is key The MEETINGS ★ With each skater’s parents (roles) ★ Parents and their skaters ★ All parents and skaters ★ Team coaches (roles) ★ Members of the IST (strength, mental, nutrition) ★ Commitment and planning

What are some of the “must haves” for clubs & schools?

Building a Coaching Team

I have two skaters who are interested … Now What?

Resources available to new pairs coaches? • Where to find the rules (types of lifts, GOEs, Levels of Difficulty)

Questions and Open Discussion