Skating club Olympics

[Mainemom]

As a tie-in to the upcoming Olympics, our skating club is toying with the idea of having Olympic games of our own. We were thinking of creating "countries" with mixed-teams of skaters from Snowplow Sam all the way to the Free Skate level. Each level would compete against the same level from another "country" in some basic events and we would also have combined events for the whole "country" (such as relay races with plastic eggs on spoons, or having to bunny hop the length of the rink, or something...) This is where we need help. We have some ideas for events but could use any and all input: has anyone else done this before? We would like to make it as fun as possible for the kids and try to get some good publicity for our Skating Club (we're brand new) to bring in more lower level skaters to our club. All ideas are welcome!

[Melzorina]

That's such a fab idea! The higher level skaters could use their programs for the competition?

[trains]

Our club has the Canskate (the Canadian learn-to-skate program) Mini Olympics every year. The kids love it.
Each group is divided by the group's coach into "flights" of three skaters with similar abilities. If threes don't work out, there can be a group of two. They then practice the "elements", taken from the badge they are working, on for the first part of the session. After that, some of the older competitive skaters from the club, who have volunteered beforehand, come around to each group on the ice and judge the flights of three on their elements in a mini competition. These "judges" have clipboards, element lists for the badges, and pens to write down the kids' names.
Every skater wins a medal!
The kids are then taken over to the podium (which has been set up on the ice and decorated with Olympic rings) for their medal presentation and a big round of applause. Parents take pictures.
It's a big hit with everyone.

[slusher]

Hot glue ribbon to those foil covered chocolate coins to make fun "medals".