"All-Figures Competition 2010" - anyone interested?

[icedancer2]

We're thinking about putting together the "All-Figures Competition" this summer in Portland OR - we had a great time last year but maybe didn't have as many skaters as we would have liked - anyone interested? Sometime mid-July would most likely be the time...

We would also be open to some other club/rink hosting this competition and would be happy to send the announcement so that the same format could be followed. It might be fun to put it in different regions each year so that more people can participate.

We totally understand that the Pacific NW is not the easiest place to get to, but it is BEAUTIFUL here in the summer!!!

[phoenix]

Wow, I love that idea. Highly unlikely I could go this year, but I hope you get to do it!

[RachelSk8er]

Just a thought, if you didn't get enough entires last year, what if you did a competition that was just figures and dance (solo and partner)? Or comibned it with a dance weekend or clinic? (Given that you have a good base of dancers out there, too, and I know there has been a clinic out there the past few years). Or coordinate with the PSA to offer a written/oral exam site, since a lot of people I know who are doing figures are also coaching? It might get you enough interest to hold it.

Personally, I'd do it if it were close (I'm in Ohio), but I'm not into figures enough right now and/or taking it seriously enough to travel for a competition (once I finish my MIF tests in the next year, I plan to actually do figures). And since that's a pretty long trip for me, I'd be more likely to go in the future if there were something else to go along with it (either a clinic or more events I could enter). I'm sure more people would travel from farther distances if there were something else that was being held along with it so that they feel they are getting their $$ out of the trip.

I'd really like to go out for your adult high dance clinic at some point if you make it an annual thing, but the $ and time haven't been there the past few years. But it's up there with Ostendorf and Dorothy Hamill's adult camp on the "things to do when I finish law school, pass the bar, and finally make some $$" list!!!

[icedancer2]

Just a thought, if you didn't get enough entires last year, what if you did a competition that was just figures and dance (solo and partner)? Or comibned it with a dance weekend or clinic? (Given that you have a good base of dancers out there, too, and I know there has been a clinic out there the past few years). Or coordinate with the PSA to offer a written/oral exam site, since a lot of people I know who are doing figures are also coaching? It might get you enough interest to hold it.

Personally, I'd do it if it were close (I'm in Ohio), but I'm not into figures enough right now and/or taking it seriously enough to travel for a competition (once I finish my MIF tests in the next year, I plan to actually do figures). And since that's a pretty long trip for me, I'd be more likely to go in the future if there were something else to go along with it (either a clinic or more events I could enter). I'm sure more people would travel from farther distances if there were something else that was being held along with it so that they feel they are getting their $$ out of the trip.

I'd really like to go out for your adult high dance clinic at some point if you make it an annual thing, but the $ and time haven't been there the past few years. But it's up there with Ostendorf and Dorothy Hamill's adult camp on the "things to do when I finish law school, pass the bar, and finally make some $$" list!!!

This is a great idea! Have been thinking of combining it with another competition, camp or Judge/PSA school (since we'll probably be hosting one for the new Moves) and yes, the High Dance Camp!

I like the idea of combining it with a dance weekend/clinic of some sort - we had our usual dance session after the 2nd morning of the figures comp last year and a lot of the competitors stayed and danced - and of course the ice was beautiful because they had carefully groomed it for the figures!

And yes it is a long way to travel just to do figures... which is why I think people could combine it with a general trip to the gorgeous Pacific NW (wondering if the Olympics is going to do a lot for tourism in our neck of the woods, what with all of that going on in Vancouver, BC...)

[manleywoman]

Would I love to do it? Absolutely.
Can I afford it? Unfortunately, probably not. :(

I still have dreams of getting through my 4th test, having just passed my 3rd in December of 2007. But with a baby, lack of $$ and full-time job, I just can't find the means to practice figures right now. But I do hope to get back to it asap.

[icedancer2]

I still have dreams of getting through my 4th test, having just passed my 3rd in December of 2007. But with a baby, lack of $$ and full-time job, I just can't find the means to practice figures right now. But I do hope to get back to it asap.

Yeah, this is a hard time for people - maybe your region would be interested in hosting? Then at least you wouldn't have to pay for travel.

A lot of people have trouble finding time to do the figures on empty ice - one of our competitors last year had never had a "clean" session to practice on until the patch session which was held as "practice ice" on the mornings of the competition. It was amazing because she did great and was thrilled to actually be able to have good clean patch ice to skate on!

[icedancer2]

I thought to whet everyone's appetite for figures competition I would post my blog post from last year's comp

http://www.pdxrinkreport.blogspot.com/

All ages. All levels. All figures.

This was the basic premise behind the "All-Figures Open Competition" that was held at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink in Portland, OR July 25-26, 2009.

Sponsored by the Oregon Skating Council, we wanted to create a competition where anyone, regardless of age, test level or experience, could compete any figure, and as many figures as they wanted. There would be no pressure to do a figure that a person basically couldn't do just to fit into a prescribed "category" - and no test level requirements to get hung up on - I mean, just because you passed your 8th figure test "way back then" - why shouldn't you be able to compete a figure you could do "NOW" - maybe as much as 30 (or, in some cases) 40 years later?

We weren't sure how to really set this up - very few rinks actually have "patch sessions" anymore and very few coaches are teaching figures per se, except maybe in the context of teaching moves. But we kind of knew there were little pockets of people around the country doing and testing figures still - finding time during empty morning public or freestyle sessions - grabbing a little piece of ice here and there to enjoy learning the basics of what skating is all about - compulsory figures!

Here in Portland two of the rinks offered "Figures class" in the months before the competition. At the Lloyd Center Ice Rink the Oregon Skating Council reserved "summer training ice" on Tuesday evenings for 3 months - the first hour of which was a "patch session" for practicing figures on your own private strip of ice, just like in "the old days". Any coach, regardless of rink affiliation, could come and teach, and one of the Lloyd Center coaches made herself available for lessons/consultations during the sessions.

In April I was thrilled to get an email from a skater in Seattle, letting me know that there were 4 skaters in the area who were getting ready to compete. I was thrilled to know that people were excited about the competition and wanted to come. A month later I got another email from a skater who had just moved to Seattle and had heard about the competition. Interest was certainly starting to build!

In setting up the competition, we did feel a need to have a "Restricted" category - but the "Restricted" category was for skaters who had not passed any test beyond the 1st Figure test or it's equivalent. In the "retricted" category the skater had the option of having circles "scribed" on the ice. A "Creative Figure" was also offered in the "Restricted" group - a skater could make up their own figure and would be judged on creativity and execution of the figure.

In the "Open" category, all figures plus the special category of "Creative Figure" were offered. The figure events were put into groups such as "Brackets" "Back Loops" "One Foot Eight" - meaning the skater could choose which foot to start on, and also chose whether they wanted to do inside or outside edge starts. Everyone could choose which figure within the given category they could be most comfortable. The whole idea was just to have fun, skate the figures you wanted to skate no matter what your level. Very inclusive!!

The competition took place over two very early mornings at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink. The rink is a small mall rink with skylight lighting (which proved to be a hinderance to some of the skaters, what with the sun glare and all). It started with 3 skaters in the "Restricted Forward Outside 8" event and quickly moved on to Open Forward Three to Backward 3 (from the 2nd figure test, for those who follow these things). All five of the judges who volunteered to judge the competition judged all of the events. And I did not hear one complaint!!

The largest event was the Open Forward Serpentine Event, with a total of 6 skaters - some of whom had tested and others who had never tested figures. The winner of this event, Aziza Jappie, is a younger competitor (I believe she is 16 or 17), who has her Senior Moves but until last year had never seen or done figures. I thought it was great that despite her lack of experience, she prevailed in this event against her somewhat more seasoned (on many levels!) competitors! After the event Aziza was overheard saying that she wished she had done figures before doing Moves because she would have understood conceptually what she was asked to do in Moves and would have passed them quicker. I thought that was great!!

On Sunday, the rest of the Open events occured. The highest level figure skated was the One-Foot Eight with three skaters in this event. The judges had a great time examining all of the figures and determining the winners and rankings. As the judges left the ice after the final figure, they applauded the skaters for a job well done. I think they had just as good a time as the skaters!! They certainly seemed thrilled to be there!

In all there were 15 competitors, 15 events and 39 starts. 3 skaters were "kids" (teenagers) and 12 were adults who had mostly tested figures when they were younger. One-third of the skaters came from the Seattle Area. Each of the "kids" won one or more of their events. One skater competed 5 figures total and another skater only skated one. Everyone had a great time and are starting to prepare for next year. Hopefully we will hold this competition next year. Maybe we will be able to attract more competitors. And now we know what we are doing!! And that it worked!

If we build it, they will come has to be our motto!

[TreSk8sAZ]

I love the idea, and I wanted to do it last year. But for me, it just isn't practical and I don't see it being practical anytime soon. I work two part-time jobs right now, and I'm looking for full-time work. What it boils down to is my vacation is used for things like sectionals and ANs, if I'm even able to do those. I could not afford to do another competition out of state (monetarily or through vacation time), and I think many people find themselves in that situation. Even if it's on a weekend, it would still likely require traveling on a Friday because it's a 3 hour plane ride to Portland, plus getting to the hotel, and I wouldn't want to hop off a plane, go right to the rink and compete, then go back home. Even combining it with something else wouldn't be practicable for me because it would mean using more vacation days.

Good luck though! I think it is a great idea!

[Audryb]

I wouldn't be able to make it to the Pacific NW, nor would I be ready to compete any figures this year, but in theory I love the idea and would definitely be interested if it was close enough to me that I could do it as a day trip or maybe one overnight. I like the figures/ dance idea too :D

[RachelSk8er]

Yeah, time off of work to go to the Pacific NW is my other main issue. Sectionals, Nationals, and law school finals eat up all my PTO at work and I always have to cross my fingers I don't get sick. The only other time I've ever been out there was when I was 10, 1991 synchro (precision) nationals were in Alaska and we got stranded in the Seattle airport overnight, but that doesn't really count.

[icedancer2]

I wanted to report that we WILL be hosting a figures competition in Portland, OR
sometime this summer - the dates are still to be decided.

Thank you to everyone who responded on this list or to me personally - this
definitely helped me make the case before the Oregon Skating Council (the entity
that will be hosting this competition) so that we can go forward from here!

We are also floating the possibility of adding a figures test session to the schedule to be held during the competition (on the suggestion of a person that contacted me privately) so if we know which tests people would like to take maybe we can put together a little session - we need to see if we have enough time/judges at certain levels) in order to do this but it is definitely something that will be considered.

Thank you everyone!!

Lisa

[icedancer2]

I have received some recent interest in this year's competition!

The dates have been set for the weekend of August 7-8 2010 at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink in Portland, OR

The official annoucement should be coming soon!

I have set up a Facebook event group for this event if anyone is interested to see more details:

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=385211147358&ref=ts

[drskater]

OMG, Icedancer2, my coach and I were just talking about about this yesterday! She knew some of the skaters in the 2009 competition---such high caliber skaters from the NW. Your efforts are very impressive.

[icedancer2]

OMG, Icedancer2, my coach and I were just talking about about this yesterday! She knew some of the skaters in the 2009 competition---such high caliber skaters from the NW. Your efforts are very impressive.

Thank you! There were some very beautiful figures skated that is for sure!

But the competition is for ALL LEVELS - no tests required - and you can skate whatever figure you want! The beauty is in the open-ness of the competition!!

Here is my blog post about last year's competition, if anyone is interested:

http://pdxrinkreport.blogspot.com/2009/08/all-figures-open-competition.html

We hope to make it even more interesting this year by adding in the "New Moves" that are related to figures (Loops and Twizzles, anyone?) and also will be hosting a figures Test Session!

[coconut]

I am excited about this event and would like to participate, although I did not have much figure experience (only took about 2 years of group classes).

Does anyone know how to get to the host rink from SF bay area? I don't want to drive alone and will prefer to use public transportation. How can I get to the rink from train station/airport/bus station? Is there a place (within walking distance) to stay for Saturday night?

Do I need to mail an application form before August if I am interested in testing the first figure?

Thanks.

[icedancer2]

Coconut --

Great to hear of your interest!

Coming to Portland from SF Bay area is easy - Portland has a GREAT transportation system - the MAX train goes from the airport to within a block of the Lloyd Center Mall where the skating rink is. There are several hotels/motels within walking distance and the city is easy to get around using MAX and buses.

I don't know if there is a train (AMTRAK) from the Bay Area, but you should check. It would also be an easy MAX ride to the rink/mall from the train/bus station (Portland is a pretty small city, actually).

We don't have our Test application done yet - we will be sending that out to interested parties. If you want to private message me and send me your regular email, I will put you on the list. Or you can sign up at the Facebook event group that I mentioned in an earlier post.

I want to encourage people like you with limited figure experience - we had a LOT of skaters last year that had never tested and they had a great time - our largest group actually was FO 8 (also Front Serpentine) - there was also Waltz 8 and FI 8.

There will also be a category of FO/FI 8 from the New Moves and BO/BI 8 as well.

Depending on how the schedule works out you also might want to consider staying Friday evening - we are skating VERY EARLY MORNING ice on Saturday (actually on both days) - anyway, we can always re-adjust if you can only come for one day... we are very flexible!

[icedancer2]

The Announcement and Registration Forms for this competition are now available. They will be posted on the Oregon Skating Council website soon.

If you would like for me to send you a copy of the announcement please send me your email address and I will forward you a copy.

Thanks everyone!

[icedancer2]

The announcement and Forms for the 2nd Annual All-Figures competition has been posted at the Oregon Skating Council website!

http://www.oregonskating.org/index.php?page=events

Please share with anyone you think might be interested!!

Thank you. We are going to have a lot of fun this year!

[drskater]

Looks good!

[icedancer2]

I am still accepting registrations for this event if anyone is interested.


www.oregonskating.org

Also, don't forget we will be hosing a Figures Test session at the same time.

August 7-8, 2010, Lloyd Center Ice Arena, Portland, OR

[icestalker]

A "Creative Figure" was also offered in the "Restricted" group - a skater could make up their own figure and would be judged on creativity and execution of the figure.

Hmm- I think I would do a consecutive three figure- a three turn at every eighth of the circle, and changing feet at the center. Does anything similar already exist? :lol:

I would come if I had the means to do so. Perhaps when I am 16, I will convince my mother to let me go on a road trip and come for the 2012 figure competition. :D

How many people usually compete?

[Isk8NYC]

I remember watching an ISI Creative Figures event where a young lady from NJ wrote her name, lol. So cool.

[icedancer2]

Hmm- I think I would do a consecutive three figure- a three turn at every eighth of the circle, and changing feet at the center. Does anything similar already exist? :lol:

I would come if I had the means to do so. Perhaps when I am 16, I will convince my mother to let me go on a road trip and come for the 2012 figure competition. :D

How many people usually compete?

That would be a great creative figure! No, that is not one that is in the regular figure structure - the closest would be double threes but that is only two turns per circle.

Last year we had 15 competitors and 39 figures were skated. This year we are hoping for at least 25 skaters. We are also including a figures test session and the opportunity to compete the "New Moves" that relate to figures, the loops, twizzles and FOI8 abd BOI8.

Hopefully you can make it to 2012! We would love to have you!:)