IceWorks SC has developed a nice looking section for HC within their site ~ The application/information will be available soon it says

Can't wait to compete and erase my poor skate from last year

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Tim David's Website

Here's the link to the Halloween Classic website:

http://www.helgayang.net/HalloweenClassic.aspx

Some interesting things to look at while you are waiting for the application:
- There is a place for you to sign up to be notified when things get posted.
- The committee is also looking for feedback regarding the competitors' party.

awesome, thanks for the direct link

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Tim David's Website

Hey guys! I hope everyone is doing well. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but of course I couldn't resist the temptation to add my two cents about the Halloween Classic. Yes, I'm the competition chair again this year, so I'd love to hear any feedback, suggestions, compliments etc. from those of you who competed in years past. What would you like to see different this year? (And no, I still have no control over the temperature in the rink ...)

Okay...shameless plug here...we have a great new planning committee in place as you can see from the snazzy new website and the new, user-friendly application that will soon be posted. We are really excited about the competition this year, and are shooting for our biggest turnout yet. After all, we need to solidify our place as the second largest all-adult competition in the WORLD. So help us! Come to Philly! You won't regret it!

Okay, shameless plug notwithstanding, I'd love to hear your feedback. After all, the skaters are what its all about.

phillyskater

I've never skated in Halloween Classic myself, but I have had students and friends compete. They seemed to have loved the experience, and especially the venue. It's easy to get to, and a wonderful facility. I look forward to possibly participating this year, nerves withstanding

Looking forward to it!

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

Wow! No, comments, complaints, suggestions, recommendations, gripes, grievances or appeals. I guess everything was perfect last year!

The application is in the final stages of approval and should be posted by the end of next week. Stay tuned!

philly

I haven't ever done this competition, but suggestion-wise and if it is big enough to warrant it, I would definitely use a hair and makeup person if one was available. The lady who was at Dallas AN in 2006 was a godsend for me!

Well, since you asked.....

I have done HC for the past 3 years (all of its existence) but I won't be returning this year. For one, I'm really focusing on MIF and testing, so I may not be competing all season. I also don't think I'll compete FS again, but I guess I should never say never. But I decided right after last year's comp that I would not return.

The reason(s)? Well.....as you said, Philly, the rink (and locker room) temp is a big deal. I know it's not something you can do anything about, but if I'm going to spend $80 (and that's just for the first event) to enter a comp, plus drive an hour and a half, I'd like to not freeze to death just about everywhere in the building (including the snack bar area, which isn't exactly in the rink area - I would think the windows would be better insulated). And then there's the harder-than-normal ice (well, at least to me it is). Plus, I thought the practice sessions were not particularly conducive to good skating, or even steady breathing. Some people were extremely aggressive (ex: 1 skater skating around behind me, fast, several times as I tried to do a loop jump in the general pattern of my program, forcing me to abort at the last minute, also one skater practicing the 8-step in the middle of a swarm of people - and this was Sunday, when there were no MIF events) and it seemed like there were also a lot more than 25 people on the session. I realize practice behavior is out of the organizers' control, but it does affect how I (and others) feel about our experience at the comp. Yes, this could happen at any comp, but it hasn't happened to me at any other comps where I've done the practice ice (NYI, Wilmington).

It almost feels like the comp is kind of an afterthought. Particularly last year, since the club had just hosted Regionals. Ex: giving us those nylon string bags with the Souths logo on it. Now, personally, I don't care if I get 'goodies' at a comp. I care much more about how the comp is run, the rink, the ice, the people, how I skate, etc. But if you are going to give people something, don't give them stuff left over from another comp that you're just trying to get rid of. Plus, there were the kids and parents arriving for public sessions and making an (IMO) unnecessarily large amount of noise in the rink area where the comp was going on and kids and parents pushing through crowds (some with large hockey bags) and making a lot of noise in the lobby during the medal ceremonies. I realize that in a 4-rink facility, there's going to be a lot going on, esp on the weekend, but I don't think people need to be so oblivious and rude, JMO.

In general, to me anyway, it's just not a competitor-friendly atmosphere - sorry, Philly, I know you and the rest of the committee work very hard, but that's how I feel.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

My first year there was great, I think the entire staff went out of their way to make us welcome. The second year I really missed seeing the pros that we had met at the previous competiton and the camp. The team event was more fun the previous year when all the teams were lined up together at the end. I'd still like to see some variation in the team event - have a draw for the teams, or add a pair/dance or couples or edge element.

And as Debbie has said, it was cold to the point where it interfered with the skating. I didn't go back the third year.

This year I'd like to go and give it another try.

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Recycle Love - Adopt a homeless pet

I cant wait for the maneuver teams again, this time, The Medussa's will make its debut It will be Angelo, our friend Don, and myself.
Angelo will do the combo spins and second spin requirement
Don the axel and spiral sequence
Me - the single/single jump combo

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Tim David's Website

Speaking of team events, I would love to do this is anyone needs an extra skater for a Bronze team.

Actually, the entry fees last year were only $70 for the first event and $30 for subsequent events (compared to other adult competitions like the Peach Classic which charges $85 for the first and $45 for subesequent event). (I'm not criticizing other competitions -- I love the Peach! -- just getting the facts straight).

And the good news is that fees were not increased this year despite the increasing cost of ice.

philly

Yay, good to know, since I'm weighing cost factors carefully in deciding whether to come. This is always one of my favorite comps to come to, especially since I have a lot of skating (and nonskating) friends in the PA/DE area.

Philly--is there any possibility of space heaters in the dressing room or is it too much of a fire hazard? (Tee hee, every year, I forget my resolution to buy a longsleeved dress to skate in for tests in the winter time and rinks like Aston that are particularly cold!!!!)

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Ask me about becoming a bone marrow donor.
http://www.marrow.org
http://www.nmdp.org

Funny you should ask...I just made that request to the Board, so keep your fingers crossed!

philly

Well, while we're on the subject of requests, would it be possible to have practice ice on Saturday afternoon? If I recall correctly, there wasn't Saturday afternoon practice ice available last year.

Thanks for the information, philly.

Here's the scoop on that. While I can make no guarantees, I was informed that practice ice will be built into the schedule on Saturday afternoon this year. To reiterate, the schedule is ultimately set by the referee, not us, so while I will do my absolute best to make sure it happens, please do not hold my feet to the fire if it doesn't. Not that you would, Frank R.

The Halloween Classic is my favorite event especially in light of the fact that the Wilmington Adult Open, which used to be its own separate competition was folded into the Diamond Open several years ago. I love how there’s so much camaraderie amongst the skaters. There are some people that I only see once a year during this competition, and it has a nice reunion feel to it. Last year, the competition may have felt like an afterthought due to South Atlantics, but you do have to credit the rink and the club for still running the competition despite the huge commitment and the amount of time and energy required in running two competitions in one month. Regionals was a huge, 10-day event with events and practices running around the clock. If the Halloween Classic really was an afterthought, it would have been a lot easier just to skip it for a year. I’m grateful to have such a large, fun, adult competition. I’m even willing to put up with a cold rink for it. Actually, I think it’s all what you are used to. The rink doesn’t seem horribly cold for me since I normally skate at a hockey rink where seeing your breath is the norm....brrrrrrrrr. Oh, getting medals and placements usually isn’t my focus, but I have to say that this is one of the few competitions that I really want to medal at because I think the scarecrow medals are just so cool.

Hey philly,

Thanks for the scoop! I do appreciate it. I understand that you're not personally responsible for the schedule but thought I'd mention it anyway since I do feel it would be helpful. If it doesn't happen, it'll be fine anyway. I won't hold your feet to the fire. Although, I might welcome putting MY feet to the fire at the end of the day since it's a little chilly over there.

Take care and thanks again,

Frank

I was a little surprised that the ladies changing room door opened up to the rink...and gave people a nice view..... and there was no mirror in the bathroom. And the ice was very hard; but my rink has switched over to concrete-like ice so that won't be much of an issue.

The timing is really bad for us. Our rink is closed all summer so we don't have time to really be well-prepared for a good skate. I'm not sure if I can do it this year, as I will be extra busy with teaching.

Although we had a blast!!!! Maybe we will just come up with a manuever team.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

3 Months & 3 Days To Go

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Tim David's Website

I had a fabulous time last year, but (boo hoo) I have to give it a miss this year! I so wish that I could be coming back this year....

Phils's Gouls, if you are competing as a team again this year, perhaps my spot can go to Flutzilla.....

Looking forward to reading all about it here on the forums and see y'all at HC 08

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If you keep your eyes on God, you can walk on water.

I agree with this comment about practice ice. There were some very aggressive higher level skaters who seemed to feel that their high test level gave them the right-of-way. A solution to this is to reduce the number of skaters on the ice, and to separate the gold and championship level skaters away from the rest of us (obviously only a few high level skaters had an attitude and the rest were wonderful).

http://groups.myspace.com/2007HALLOWEENCLASSIC

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Tim David's Website

I don't think there will be a Phil's Ghouls this year....Phil broke his foot riding a motorcycle during a safety course the end of July and is currently waiting for the swelling to go down before it can be put into a cast (his fault-he did NOT go to the ER right away but waited 3 days even though I told him, the course director told him, etc).

So, he won't even be walking by then, let alone skating! I am passing on it as well.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!