never mind...

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

I don't think the breakdown of costs was for her daughter. But for another skater in the area, which seems to have scared the family right out of skating. I was curious how you manage to get costs that high and the OP was kind enough to break it down for us.

I am just going to chalk it up to regional differences in expenses. I'm on the east coast. Ice time for me will cost anywhere from $10-12 for a 40-45 minute freestyle session. If you buy a contract it will be less. An hour long lesson from either of my coaches (who both competed on World/Olympic level) will range from $60-69. I could go on, but we already have a 3 page thread going so I'm done.

__________________
~Always Dream!~

Check my progress at www.freewebs.com/sk8tegirl06

The thing is, of course, are we sure that the skater whose parents are able to spend $70K a year on her skating is ever going to be any good? You can't make a child (or anybody else, for that matter!) good at skating by throwing money at it, and it's really only the dreaded Skating Parents who try.

Most people spend realistically - an hour's practice after school each day, perhaps incorporating a 15-minute lesson during that time when possible. Yes, boots and blades are a major expense and should not be stinted - but you only buy the boot and blade your skater needs as she needs them. You borrow dresses for test and competition, or buy the ones that your friend the Ice Princess has grown out of.

A very great many promising children give up when they hit adolescence, anyway. Or they hit a wall in their skating - and that is the time when coach and parents need to confer to decide whether a bit of pushing from the parents would be productive or otherwise.

We have two teenage skaters who have "hit the wall" - realistically, at their present levels of training, they aren't going to get much better than they are now. One doesn't much care, and is now skating once a week for fun, with her parents' rather reluctant consent; the other does mind - but doesn't have the kind of parents who will push her over the hump! My coach said "From that point of view, if only they could swap parents!"

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Let me rethink what I said.

Even that $50 or so / week "bargain" from the skating academy (covering on and off ice group lessons and ice time) + $40-80 or so week for one or two private 30 minute lessons + a fairly minimal $1500/year in skates, blades, clothing and equipment + at least $1500 / year in travel + club, test and competition fees (even with carpools) = $7680 - $9760 = much more than the OP is currently spending.

I still think she could still do enough to be fun within the current budget. I assume she already is, if mom makes encouraging noises and doesn't worry about coming in last place in her first regional competition. I assume the girl doesn't emotionally need to win, that she can enjoy what she can do.

There could eventualy be a payout, if she becomes good enough at skating and teaching to be a coach - many earn high 5 to low 6 figure incomes, if they live near the right rinks - not what a doctor, lawyer or management level electrical engineer might make, but with more flexible hours. There are very few athletic activities where that is true.

I think that one thing that anyone in the OP's position needs to remember is that your kid is a KID--especially at 10--and will still take many of their cues from their parents. When my kid was 10 and started talking about playing in the NHL, we said, "Honey, did you know that even Coach _____ [that year's coach] didn't play in the NHL or even for a college team? And you know how good HE is. He played through high school." Then we talked about what Coach _____ did for a living and what our kid might want to do when he grew up.

Don't let your kid run the show, but don't stop him or her from doing something if they love it; if some aspect is too expensive, compromise. If they refuse to compromise and want to quit, then you might let them--but it's going to be THEIR decision, so that they won't look back when they're older and say "I loved to skate but my parents made me quit when I was 10."

Don't be afraid to encourage them to do something that others may feel is of lesser quality than what the "best" kids are doing. In hockey, the "elite" competitors play on travel teams. My son played one year of travel. It was a horror show. The parents were mostly lunatics, the kids were mostly badly behaved, and some of the coaches were dysfunctional, emotionally abusive, and to top it off they were crappy skaters. My son hated it and wanted to quit hockey by the end of the year and so did we. We went back to "house" hockey--the "less elite" recreational level-- the next year someplace else and my son had a fabulous time. He loved every second of it and we enjoyed it too, even though some of our friends, including one of his former coaches, could hardly believe he would "give up" playing travel. It was what made our kid happy, even though he wasn't necessarily playing at the highest level his ability would allow. We might be the world's most underachieving family but my feeling is that I want the kid to be as happy and well-adjusted as I can manage. As far as I'm concerned, that's more likely to make him successful than all the expensive equipment, private coaching, super-elite-team playing in the world.

Just my opinion.

__________________
You miss 100% of the shots you never take.--Wayne Gretzky

I agree that she still can skate with a lower budget. Its not that I agree with the price of things.But I do know that some people do spend that much. I wouldnt let my husband sharpen skates as a way to save money either.
It still goes back to if your child has some talent, what do you do if you just cant afford it? I do understand, and the only answer is focus more on other aspects of skating.
Yes, the skaters I know of at high levels take off ice a few times a week in a class.They dont stop just because they can do the stuff themselves.
being a skating parent isnt easy Just do the best you can.My kids know they get two lessons a week.They also know they compete with kids that have more.Its a good life lesson.

__________________
http://www.youtube.com/user/alaskanmom

Thank you sk8tegirl06. I know you are done with this thread. I still hope you can get it from me.

No, the cost is not for my dd. This skater is not from IL. They were referred to train with coaches in our rink. The mom stays with skater close to our rink during the week. The dad and older brother, maybe 10 yr? staying back home about 3 hours away from our rink. There is another novice level skater recently just moved to Colorado to train with big name coach. I can't imagin how much they spent on rent and training stuff. The mother is no working just to be with skater. Only father stays put in her hometown to work to provide cash.

No, we don't use her coach, it is too expensive.

No, my dd is not at hit wall stage, acutally, she is in upward stage. But seeing other skaters spending really scared me.

There are 4 rinks close to us. But her coach only goes to current rink. So we have to be there. The price of current rink is in the upside in Chicago area. But we have no choice. Originally, I planned to have her practice in the cheaper rink and have lessons in her current rink. But it is not practically. Because I have to work. I can not find someone to take her to the cheaper rink practicing for one hour and then drive her to her current rink to have a lesson. Even I can find one, I can not afford that. The price in our area to have someone to take kids to the rink (according to other skaters' moms is min. $10 one way for less than 5 miles). That is almost another session of ice time. I called taxi company to quote the price for 8 miles drive, they said $28 one way.

My dd boots and blades cost me over $1200 because of her weird shape of feet. We tried stock or semi stock boots, she kept having feet problem. What is my choice, to have her ankle constantly hurt and could not skate or to order the custom boots. Her boots is by Ridel. Her first pair boots and blades were rent from the rink. Coaches told me she need to have decent one if she wanted to learn skates. So I bought used one. My dd told me right away she could feel the edges. I don't skate. I can only depend on how she told me and validate it with her coach. The blades might not be a big deal for recreational skating. But for her it is a big deal. Currently she is using paramount. As soon as she had this one on, her coach told me she was impressed with the new blades because how fast her speed improved and higher she jumped! She said she never had a student used this kind of blades. But from now she would recommend to her students. We bought this based on Mr. Edge, who is writing boots and blades articles in Skating magazine. He fitted our dd boots and blades. He would never ask us to go custom if not necessary.

Dress - my dd dress never cost me that much. Her competition dress is hand down from older skaters from her skating school. She went to regional last year for pre juv, I bought her dress $300. This year she still used it. So for two year, it is good price compared to others.

Blade sharpening by hand? My jaw dropped when I read it. If you skate for fun, that might be OK. I never read any articles or any professional said that it is OK for me as parent to sharpen my dd's blades. On the contrary, they alway suggest that we have to go to the place who really knows what he is doing. We had to go to Mr. Edge to sharpen her blades. Sometimes he is out of town or I was busy, we just have her blades (previous Wilson one) sharpened at her rink. It not only would't last long, it affected her spin and jumps because of the quality of the sharpening. Personally, I won't tempt with that over $400 blades by my hand. I don't trust my hand to do sharpening, neither her coach or even my DD.

I think some people keep twisting the issue here. Those who suggested that only skate less than 5 hours a week, taking one lesson a week, having really cheap boots and blades - these are for recreational one. I agree with you totally. If my dd is only doing that level, I don't have problem.

The issue I raised here is it needs enormaous funding to support a competitive skaters. I thought I would get some advise how to keep my dd working towards elite skater level without bankcrupt our family. I agree that throwing money won't make a great skater. Actually, we saw one skater like that in our rink. However, if you won't have solid finance to support skaters, they definitely won't be elite competitive skaters. I wish I would have known that at beginning.

Like boots and blades for example, can she eventually move up level by skating very cheap boots and blades, maybe. But with non fitting boots, she might give up skating a couple years ago. Because no matter how we stretched and pounded the boots, it would not fit her. Last summer, we spent almost one month twisting boots. We event spent money to see foot doctor. He said my dd need customized orthotics. That cost us about $800 for two pairs, one pair for boots, one for her gym shoes. We tried to fit these orthotics to her semi stock boots. It did not really save us any.

To make my question more specific, how to keep skaters to be advanced skaters with less than $5000 annual budget in a both working parents family?

I did not shoot down every suggestion here. But it seems to me other than keeping my dd at non competitive level, she could not excel and become advanced skaters because of my money issue. If anyone can let me know in the real world which skaters only skate 6 hours per week and only hour lesson, with off ice and ballet at home followed by dvd but made it to national? If so, please do share with me. It would really lift my hope and give me a huge encouragement. I can go back to tell my dd face to face that there is hope because it does exist.

__________________
"Become the change you want to see in the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

Well say twokidsskatemom. Thanks for understanding.

__________________
"Become the change you want to see in the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

Well most of our jaws dropped when we read that- it wasn't just you. That's not the place to cut the budget, I don't think. (Unless you happen to be an engineer-type person who is very good at that sort of thing.) Besides the equipment to sharpent the blades (though I expect Query is recommending a pro-filer?) would be cost prohibitive.

Keep your daughter in Paramounts the $485 that the highest blade costs is a signifigant savings to the $640 of Gold Seals.

I hope you and your daughter are able to figure something out. $5000 isn't a ton of money in such an expensive sport. But don't compare your budget to someone who lives in a higher cost of living area and is going with the most expensive of everything. She doesn't need private ballet lessons, just some ballet lessons. I honestly wouldn't do them at home, but you could do it to a tape if you needed to.

I think its okay to tell your daughter that being an elite skater isn't something your family can afford. That's just being realistic, and she should be old enough to understand. But let her make the decision to quit skating. I think taking it away would be devestating.

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Excuse me, I thought we were talking about a child of ten here? That is, surely, far too young to know whether or not she will ever be an elite skater - or, indeed, whether she will ever even want to be one. For everybody's sake, including your own, relax and enjoy her skating for what it is now, and stop worrying about what may never be!

__________________
Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Be 1st or place top is not her issue. She wanted to be advanced skaters, as good as others in her rink and saw in this big competition. I never heard any skaters with less than $10000 a year budget training, will be advanced skaters by the time graduate from highschool (my dd case 6 years). She might be able to pass all senior tests, but not advance skater.

My dd told me she won't want to be a coach when she grows up. She wants to finish her skating career in a good note by the time she goes to college. I know 10 yr old mind will keep changing. But her quote did not lighten my mood. I don't see she have time to teach to earn the ice time at this moment. During school year, she would have school and homework to be done. She is in 6th grade now. She goes to rink to train after school. She needs to go to bed by 9:00pm so that she could have enough sleep. Skating school and public ice normally are after 6:00pm during the week in her rink. Evening is the time for her to have dinner and homework. She need to keep herself in honor roll in order to skate. That is my rule. I can't see she can squeeze too much there.

Now I just need to find a way to keep her in skating to pass all the test. Hopefully, getting certificates from USFSA would motivate her after she quit competitive career.

Yes, Mrs. Redboots. I need relax a little bit. I guess I was freaked out when I first realized what is going on out there. I am feeling much better with knowing that I am not the only one that can not afford for her to keep going because of money issue. I will start to make little rain to let her know how much money we could afford and everybody would live happy with that amount of money. Hopefully time can ease off her disappointment and will keep her in skating.

__________________
"Become the change you want to see in the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

A skater who has passed multiple senior tests is an advanced skater. It's absurd to think that they aren't. Heck- anyone who gets to the novice level is an advanced skater. I think less than 1% off all skaters who start a LTS program ever get even a single senior test. You'd have to call USFS to see if they have an official number, because thats just a vague rememberance of what I'd once read- so I might have made it up.

Without money you can't be an elite competitive skater, it's just not possible. But worry about that when you get there. If you get there, then start looking for sponsors- for now, just let her skate and enjoy it.

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Sorry, what I meant "advanced skater" is elite competitive skaters.

Ahmen!
I was scared when I found this out this time. That is why I started this thread. I am not very familiar with whole skating rules and realities. My job is to drive my dd to and from the rink and paying the skating bills. I felt sad when I first realized this and did not know if I was the only parent hinder my skater to have a opportunity to be elite skater because of my money. Now, I know this is norm of skating. With that picture in mind, we will scale back our spending and work on to smooth her transition.

We are not there - being a elite skater yet. But we are there - feeling the heat that money is crucial for a skater to advance to elite skater. That is how it worried me.

I have a suggestion. All skating school should have parent orientation class. For busy mother like me, I did not know what to expect in this sport. I am like my dd, learn as we go. It would be better that anyone can tell me not just we can either choose to be ISI member or USFSA member, but also let me know staying in different meembership, what cost to expect if skater makes into certain level. If I would have known it would be so costly, I would definitely find a rink that has ISI program or just stay in test track with USFSA. Then my dd will never need to experience this big transition.

__________________
"Become the change you want to see in the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

Easy ways to use what you have money-wise and still have your DD advance:

1. Instead of one, one hour lesson, break it into 15-20 minute lessons a couple times a week.

2. Why would you need to have her train at a cheaper rink for one hour, then a more expensive rink later that night? Pick one or two days for her lessons, and say "We will be at expensive rink on these days, and cheap rink on these days. That means our lessons must be on these days." Work out the schedule with your coach and your daughter.

3. Borrow dresses instead of buying them, even from older girls at the rink.

4. Do pilates at home as suggested. Maybe get some hand weights to help increase strength. Ballet helps, but is not absolutely necessary as long as your daughter can express the music and stretches regularly. The coach will help with expression once the program is in place.

5. Does your daughter have no skating friends at her school that she could possibly carpool with to the rink? I would think if her friends are already going there, their parents would be willing to take your daughter, too, even if it means going to another rink.

Also, is your daughter working hard the entire 6 hours she's on the ice? If not, then simply working the whole time and not goofing off will make a huge difference in her skills and improvement. I simply don't undertsand why you wouldn't just wait to end her competitive skating experience until she gets unhappy with the amount of skting she's doing and the opportunities she's being given. If that's all you can afford, and she's happy with it, then explain the money issue to her, but leave her be for now.

By the way, you asked about expenses in Colorado. I just came back from 10 weeks there. I don't know of a single skater (especially at the Juv level) that was spending $70K+. The cost of living in Colorado Springs is less than in Chicago, so it's not nearly the type of cost the skater you put up is dealing with. I lived and skated in IL, too, and I can't imagine who would be doing that. My friends and I never did!

__________________
"Without a struggle, there can be no progress" ~ Frederick Douglass

While in theory I agree with you- this would never happen. If skating schools did this they would lose all their business! No one would want to get involved in a sport with the potential for this cost. And while ISI is certainly cheaper- no one skates, even recreationally, without a good amount of cost. (Excluding those who rent skates twice a year for a go round with their friend- but that's not "figure" skating.) I'm a budget conscious adult pre-bronze (ISI 3) skater who also does synchro. I just worked it out and I spend about $750 a year on lessons, maybe $150 in costumes/practice attire, $150 in test/competition fees, $450 for synchro lessons, plus costumes and competition fees and travel. Honestly I don't want to add it up and think about all the teeny extras because this is a HOBBY for me. I don't pay ice time or for my group lesson because I work at the rink. (Have you thought about bartering??) There are lots of corners to cut, but it's never a cheap hobby.


Also- a rink is never going to tell you the difference between ISI and USFS. An ISI rink wants you to be ISI. That's how they make money. A USFS club wants you to join it- the low level skaters help fund the club for the high level skaters.

There is a talented young skater at our rink who just moved to one of the better coaches- he asked her to upgrade her equipment and now she has Jackson freestyles with Mark IV blades. She's working on an axel and a double sal. She and I are friendly and her mom chats with me. I just got new blades (low level paramounts) and I was saying I was pleased that they were inexpensive for blades- she asked what and I said $250- the mom nearly fainted when she heard that price. No one knows what they are getting into- not just you.

Every sport is expensive at an elite level. Tennis, equestrian, gymnastics, ballet (seriously those who want to go pro spend tons), diving, all of them. My cousins play on a traveling soccer team that easily spends as much money as a figure skater. Practices 5 days a week, team workouts. 10+ out of state tournaments yearly, driving around the state every weekend, uniforms, practice uniforms. Since soccer can be played at the rec league for $50 a season it's insance to think they spend this much- but that's apparently what it takes to get a college scholarship.

Anyone in the olympics is spending the big bucks on their sports. In todays world, you just aren't able to be a competitive athlete in an individual sport without the money. Even things like basketball, football, and baseball which you used to be able to track into college scholarships without much outlay now require incredibly expensive camps and training.

While ISI is most definetly cheaper than USFS- it's still not the magic bean. The competition costs are lower, but the coaching costs are the same. I guess you could say you don't need the same amount of coaching because you don't have to worry about levels, but your skater isn't at a level judged with IJS yet- so she just needs to worry about 6.0. I don't think ISI 10 skaters with axels in both directions got there with just one lesson a week.

I think it's possible you are worrying too much about the transition for your daughter from competitive track to test track. Both are still USFS competitions, and will require the same sort of training. It's not going to be a big difference- just that she'll be able to compete against those doing skills at the level she's tested to, and not way beyond that line.

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Mrs R
For a child of only 10, she is fairly advanced. Juv at 10 competing. I am sure she has all her doubles but D/A and maybe some doubles/doubles.She isnt a low low level skater. She could go to Jr nats if she did well in her region.

Someone had mentioned Co and training. I can almost promise the skater that train out for Broadmore at juv level and above spend 30,000 plus a year.That is a hotbed of good coaching, which costs money.I know the ice dances/pairs teams out of the rink spend 40,000 plus.That rink just took 11 teams to lake placid for the ice dance comp this week.
I assume the OP is talking about Liberty. I would just consider that comp a reality check. Its huge, and is one of the biggest of the year.Maybe one way to look at it is to see what she needs to be competive at Juv and work on those skills.Just about everyone who is on the fast track does that one, or Skate Detroit.
Does your club offer any kind of scholarships? Reinbursments for anything?
The New England Amateur Skating Foundation is a tax-exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. The mission of the New England Amateur Skating Foundation is to help competitive skaters by
defraying some of their ever-increasing expenses. With many skaters in need of your support, the Foundation offers
the opportunity of sponsorship to anyone who would like to help. We hope this page will provide you with any answers
you may have regarding your donation.
You can sign up and ask people to donate in your skaters name. You summit Bills, and you get the money. They get a tax break and your skater gets something.
Good Luck
Skaters at Juv level are under IJS.We just ran a comp that IJS for pre juv and above. Her skater does need to worry about IJS

__________________
http://www.youtube.com/user/alaskanmom

Thank you twokidsskatemom for the link you provided here. I will check it out and see if we are qualified since we live in Metra Chicago area.

My DD told me she would quit after this year regional. But she asked me to support her at current level until she finished it. She promised me she would work very hard both on and off ice and keep her school works up to honor roll. Both of us in tears. One of skaters moms told me to pray. That is what I am going to do now. God knows we tried. We need his guidance to walk thru this journey peacefully.

__________________
"Become the change you want to see in the world. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Gandhi

I understand how the poster feels but on a much smaller level. We have a very average income - well under 100,000.00. DD started skating less than two years ago and began private in the spring. This fall, she will maintain her one 25 minute lesson a week and will practice during another session. For us, thats $51 a week . Not close to 5,000 but it's all we can afford. Its too bad, she will probably not progress much with her jumps. She has great spins - even her cannonball sit spin and layback look as if she were skating for years. But, has been working on Axel for a month and maybe for ever due to lack of ice time. I will say that this summer we have tried to maximize her skating by skating on public session ($3) a session. Since the summer session of public skating is not even close to crowded - we use this ice for her lesson as well. She has only been in one competition and we bought a second hand dress for $20.

Even if I had the money, I know dd would not even come close to being an Elite skater. But , I do feel sad that her training is starting to become not nearly enough to see her come close to her potential. Unfortunetly, having money is a HUGE part of this sport and those that dont have any are at a big disadvantage. However, coming from a family whose parents could never even afford that one private lesson, I feel glad knowing I could give my dd something I could never particiapte in and there are families out there that cant even afford to spend 2,000 a year on thier kids. I understand how you feel, but in my eyes, you are so so fortunate to be able afford to spend 30,000.00 a year! What a lucky girl you daughter is to have that financial support !!! Think about it, some families barley have an annual income of that! When I think of it that way, It makes me feel happy for the little I CAN give.

Thanks for the correction. I was thinking intermediate was where IJS usually started.

sk8rmom2006- have you or your daughter given any thought to synchro? Or is she only interested in singles?

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

I know synchro was mentioned as an option, so a little insight from someone who grew up in the sport...

Money is, I'm assuming, why my parents pushed me towrad synchro (and when I saw that those girls not only looked like they were having a good time but also had cute matching outfits, I had no objection). I will say it's not for everyone, but it was certainly for me. Through that sport, I made lifelong friends (many of whom quit skating either when we went off to college or during college, yet now in our mid-late 20s we're in each others weddings, etc). My parents made many great friends they keep in touch with years later. I was able to compete in fifteen national championships earning numerous national medals (including gold ), competed at the senior division, had the opportunity to represent the USA internationally (trips fully-funded by the USFS), competed in college (on our team which was amost fully-funded by the school), etc. I am very thankful I had that opportunity AND that the club I skated for when I started had very, very good fundraising so that it was affordable.

I know Starlights and Chicago Jazz were mentioned as being near you, both are outstanding programs with multiple teams and therefore room for growth as a skater. There are also many other teams in the Chicago area that compete USFS and there is also ISI (more recreational, less travel, less cost....also the same for USFS "open" teams). To give you a very rough idea of cost, I skated for a fairly large successful club with multiple teams. Montly dues (covering ice time, coaching, off-ice, costumes, competition entry fees, paid 9 or 10 months of the year) were about $150-200/month for open levels or juvenile, $250/month for the novice team, and $400 for the senior team. Travel and team apparel for new skaters was in addition to this. However, costs could be offset by numerous fundraising opportunities. I know some local coaches at various clubs in the area I would be glad to put you in touch with.

Most clubs/teams require outside skating. However, you can get by on 2 hours a week and a 30 min lesson--you don't really have to keep up with freestyle to the point where you're doing doubles, etc, juvenile skills in terms of freestyle will suffice....the stress is more on moves in the field since there are USFS test requirements for certain levels and many clubs have their own slightly higher test they prefer....ice dancing is also helpful. Depending on the level your child is at, there can be a fair amount of travel involved. However, a lot of parents will get together with other families and take turns on some of the trips (especially smaller competitions) to save money, or just mom will go and share a room with another mom/daugher, etc. Especially by the time I was about 14, my parents really only went to Nationals and one or two other competitions that were close.

Synchro is also STRONGLY emerging as a college sport, with 40+ schools offering teams now. While still not recognized by the NCAA (and therfore not allowed to give scholarships), a lot may change by the time she's ready for college. So there are tons of opportunities out there.

If you bring this up to your daughter's coach and she seems "against" it, please don't drop the idea. Many singles coaches out there have a very outdated view of synchro (one coach at my rink came right out and said he saw it once in 1990 and didn't like it...A LOT has changed with the sport since then). It doesn't mean you're a weaker skater (common view point, but not true--most high level synchro skaters have 2-3 multiple gold tests, and even on our local open junior team, 3 kids went to junior nationals in ice dancing this past year). It's simply a different kind of skating, different atmosphere, and if you and your daughter think it may be for her, it shouldn't matter what a coach, other parent at the rink, or anyone else says.

__________________
2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

You can live anywhere, we are going to sign up too. You can ask anyone to donate, they just tell them the money goes to......
Good luck at regionals !!!!

__________________
http://www.youtube.com/user/alaskanmom

Of the two skaters I know personally from my state who have skated or are skating at an elite level, neither was from a wealthy family. One was a boy--whole different story--and the other managed financially by having a wealthy private sponsor who paid most of her expenses. Since you do sound pretty desperate, you might try writing "cold call" letters to people with some connection to your area, family, etc. who are wealthy and might conceivably be willing to sponsor your DD.

Or have her switch to hockey, if what she's really looking for is competition. She might be a step ahead coming in as a squirt who can actually skate.

__________________
You miss 100% of the shots you never take.--Wayne Gretzky

You should check out the Michael Weiss foundation:

http://www.michaelweiss.org/criteria.shtml

I know some skaters model to earn money; would that be a remote possibility? I say this knowing zilch about the industry, so you'd have to do some major research, but.....

I second the idea of approaching local/regional philanthropists to see if there are any possibilities there. It's a long shot, but there are people out there who do that sort of thing.

This is, as another poster finally pointed out (thank you!!) a very unusual child, who's reasonably competitive at juvenile at age 10. This is not your average kid skater. I was assuming she'd have double axel, yes? There may be some sponsorship possibilities out there.

I'm not familiar w/ Elmhurst but you could see if there's any chance the community might get involved; wouldn't be the first time there were bake sales held to help out a skater!

The better hockey kids spend a lot too. Someone in Maryland Youth Hockey said the best edges coach charges $150/hour, and kids pay a fair bit just to belong. Travel teams travel a lot.

I guess my point about sharpening blades (or modifying skates to fit) is a lot like telling people to repair their own cars. Most of us are afraid to repair cars, including me.

I agree to go to the best sharpener you can find if you have someone else do it. Someone who isn't careful, or who thinks figure blades should look like hockey blades, can destroy expensive figure blades in a few seconds with power tools.

It doesn't take an engineer to sharpen blades with the Pro-Filer (hand tools, with diamond dust cylindrically shaped abrasive and polishing stones, kit costs $90); all it takes is patience, analysis, care, and experimentation, to find what you like. The same is true if the best pro does it with power tools, but he/she can probably make a better initial guess, based on skating level and style, ice temperature at the dominant rinks, and the skater's weight - so go to him/her once - and ask what hollow was used. Photocopy the new blades so you can maintain the original profile/sweet spot.

I live an hour or less from some best sharpeners around, and I sometimes use them, but what I do myself fits my skating style better, because I took the time to figure out exactly what I like.

If I let it get too flat, or I want to change the hollow (as I do right now!), or if I need the toe pick modified because I've worn down too much metal to work with the current shape, I'll go to one of the pros I trust - hand tools remove metal too slowly for major changes.

I've been reading this rather lengthy thread over the past few days and felt it was about time to say something. The parent in question asked how she could train an elite or advanced skater on a $5,000 a year budget. The answer is simple-- you just can't. No matter how much scrimping and saving you do with regards to lessons, ice time, dresses, sharpenings (lol) -- there is no possible way to get your child to the advanced or elite level on that budget -- period.

Anyone who thinks that they can train a skater to the higher levels without incurring tremendous costs - needs a reality check, I am sorry. The truth is hard to bear, but unless a family can find sponsors or other financial means to support this sport - the dream of becoming an elite athlete is just that... The fact remains that elite figure skating is obtainable by very few athletes -- and not without massive outlays of money.

Even though I coach my own national level child - $5,000 barely covers travel expenses to nationals or sectionals, let alone ice time, skates, costumes, choreographers, music, harness lessons, off-ice etc. etc. In fact, a skater who is headed for nationals at just about any level - spends about $2,000 on choreographers alone. My ice bills alone are more than $5,000.

I coach all levels of skaters - and the first thing I do when a skater reaches the Juvenile level is to be realistic with the parents about the high cost of heading for nationals -- and the dream of making it to the podium.

I wish all talented athletes could reach their potential without cost - but that is not the reality of our economic system. Money can buy happiness and to some degree, success. Unfortunately, if you can't afford to pay for the dream, it will always be just that.

One other reality check - take a look at the Juvenile and intermediate skaters who made it to nationals last year. Find their individual report cards online, if possible, and see what kind of scores their jumps, spins and footwork received. How many skaters at the Juvenile level were doing double axels with full credit and triple jumps?? Did they all have Level 4 spins, spirals, high level footwork etc.? If the 10 year old in question is capable of a double axel and a good attempt at a triple jump - then she is in the national ballpark.... But, if at age 10 she is not doing all the doubles, plus a double double, and working on a good double axel and triple jumps -- then the path to the national podium is already gone. Harsh words, I know, but in this day the phenoms are doing the hard stuff earlier and earlier -- and leaving the rest of the pack behind them in their wake.