Welcome to the 2009-10 skating season!
The exhilaration, fun and beauty of skating can be shared by all, even those who have never skated before. The Yale Figure Skating Club (YFSC) welcomes adults and children of all skill levels. Basic Skills classes are appropriate for recreational and hockey skaters who want to improve skating skills. If you are a more experienced figure skater, come to one of our Combined sessions where you can practice Moves in the field, Freestyle and Dance. For intermediate skaters we are offering a bridge program as well as group dance lessons.

Join us
You may join the Yale Figure Skating Club and skate at our sessions by filling out the registration forms and paying the required session fees and Club dues. See the section on membership for information on how to enroll or find the session fees and club dues here. Club dues cover membership for the entire year. Session fees are charged by term.

This year, sessions are divided into three 8 or 9-week programs, fall, winter and spring. The Club calendar details regular sessions and exceptions. Please visit ths web page for last-minute cancellation notices and announcements, or call the Club’s voice mail at 432–1233.

We skate at Ingalls Rink (the Yale Whale), located at the corner of Prospect and Sachem Streets in New Haven, CT. The telephone number at the rink is (203) 432– 0876. For information about the Club, call (203) 432–1233, or contact one of the Club officers.

This brochure is designed to acquaint you with figure skating and the skating program of the YFSC. Please read it carefully and feel free to contact any of the officers if you have questions.

Other opportunities for skating instruction and recreation, not connected with YFSC, are provided at Ingalls Rink through Yale University. See the Ingalls Rink web site for further information.

1. Basic Skills Sessions for beginning skaters
   The U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills program is designed to teach the fundamentals of figure skating to those who have not figure skated before. Parents of very young children (4–5 years old) should refer to the Snowplow Sam sessions described below. Others begin by joining one or more of the Basic Skills classes.
   
   Basic Skills Sessions (Prices are for the winter term.)

   Session	Fee	Time	Activities
   Saturday	$153	9:15a-9:45a	Higher level lessons
   			Lower level practice
   		9:45a-10:15a	Practice & private lessons
   		10:15a-10:45a	Lower level lessons
   			Higher level practice
   Sunday	$153	3:45--4:15p	Lessons, all levels
   		4:15--4:45p	Practice & private lessons

   Qualifications: Skater must be able to stand on two skates, unaided. Must be at least five years old or have passed Snowplow Sam level 2.

   Our Basic Skills sessions offer lessons for skaters from school age through adult. Children and youth progress through the Basic Eights curriculum; for adults there are four levels. Details are contained in the Basic Skills Record Book that skaters receive when they join a session, and also on the Basic 8's pdf file.

   Each session includes a group lesson, and all include practice time. During the lessons, skaters are divided into groups depending on their age and skill level. All groups are kept small enough so that each skater receives personal attention from the coach. Lessons focus on learning how to move, stop, turn, skate gracefully, and feel confident on the ice. Our goals are for skaters to have fun while they learn, and to enjoy the challenge of the sport and the company of other club members. Many skaters take private lessons during the practice time. Winter term is 9 weeks.

   Please note: There are no makeup sessions due to absences. Saturday and Sunday sessions are not interchangeable.

2. Snowplow Sam sessions for preschool children.

   Saturday	10:15a--10:45a	$101
   Sunday	3:45p -- 4:15p	$101

   Qualifications: For beginners, ages 4--5. Many preschool children are determined to skate, especially when they see older family members taking lessons. The U.S. Figure Skating Snowplow Sam Curriculum is based on the special needs of preschoolers. Stories, games, and circle exercises are used to teach basic coordination and skills. Session is limited to a half hour. Winter term is 9 weeks.
   
   Safety note: All Snowplow Sam children must wear helmets and stay in the designated area at all times. See the section on clothing and equipment.

3. USFS Bridge Program for advancing skaters.
   

   A skater nearing completion of the basic levels is ready to begin learning one or more of the fundamental disciplines of figure skating, described briefly below. This may be done through group lessons offered in the Bridge program or by arranging for private or small group lessons with a skating coach and enrolling in a combined MFD-session. Skaters may subscribe to the Bridge program while they are working on Basic badges 6, 7, and 8, or Adult 4; however they are expected to complete the Basic Skills program through Basic 8 by enrolling in both a Basic and a Bridge session. Winter term is 10 weeks.

   Saturday	8:00a--9:00a	Lesson 8:30a--9:00a	$185
   Sunday	5:00p--6:00p	Lesson 5:00p--5:30p	$185
   Lesson only,	Sat. or Sun.	Half hour	$108

   Disciplines of Figure Skating

   • Moves in the Field are patterns of basic stroking, steps and turns which form the foundation for freestyle and dance.
   • Freestyle skating refers to spins, jumps and choreographed programs skated to music. Skaters may earn Free Skate badges in the USFS Basic Skills program.
   • Ice Dance consists of a number of set patterns of graded difficulty, each of which has a particular rhythm (e.g., waltz, foxtrot, tango) and a set sequence of steps. Dances may be skated solo or with a partner. Skaters may earn Dance badges in the USFS Basic Skills program.
   • Synchronized Skating is a team sport in which 8--20 skaters perform a choreographed program to music. Skaters perform skating steps in unision and create a series of formations. Skaters may earn Synchronized Team badges in the USFS Basic Skills program.

   Qualifications: Must be able to skate with confidence and have passed Basic~5 or Adult~3. The Bridge program is offered in two formats, depending on the level of the skater.

   • Skaters who have passed the basic skills (Basic 8 or Adult 4) may come to either (or both) of the two sessions listed below.
   • Skaters who are still working on badges 6, 7, or 8 or Adult 4 are encouraged to join the half-hour Bridge lesson in addition to their basic skills session.
4. Combined Sessions for more advanced skaters
   Combined sessions are intended for skaters working on Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and/or Dance (MFD). Winter term is 10-weeks.

   Saturday MFD-1	7:15a--8:30a	$150
   Sunday   MFD-2	5:30p--6:30p	$130
   Sunday   MFD-3	6:45p--7:45p	$130
   Add. Dance lesson	6:45p--7:15p	$  55
   Sunday   MFD-4	7:45p--8:45p	$130
   Add-on 30 min.	Any session	$  65

   Enrollments for the Combined sessions are kept small so that the rink is a safe place for faster skating, jumps, dance footwork, and various moves. Skaters may arrange for private or small group instruction during these sessions. Skaters may request that their music be played according to rules set by the session chair. (Designated skater must wear a brightly colored vest to identify themselves.)   In addition, social dance program music will be played at the Sunday MFD-4 session. Skaters enrolled in any session may add on the first or last 30 minutes of an adjacent MFD-session at a reduced fee.

   Qualifications: Skaters on the MFD-sessions should be able to skate forward and backward with confidence, be comfortable turning front-to-back and back-to-front, and have mastered stopping. They should be experienced enough to feel secure near others who are skating fast and to keep a safe distance from them. The YFSC reserves the right to determine if a skater's abilities are appropriate to the session, regardless of test level.

   A 30-minute optional group beginning dance lesson is offered Sunday from 6:45 to 7:15 pm for skaters who have passed Basic 6 and for adults who have passed Adult 2 and have strong stroking and edge control.

5. Synchronized Skating with Team Esprit
   Team Esprit, sponsored by the Hamden Figure Skating Association, has several teams for skaters age 7 and above and welcomes YFSC members. Further information is available on Team Esprit's website at www.teamesprit.com or from Mary Pursell at (203) 605-9269 or mpursell@abbateins.com.
   
   
6. Testing Program
   Tests are an important part of our skating program. Passing a test provides a measure of achievement and is a source of real pride for the skater.
   
   
   • Basic Skills Badge Tests.
     The U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills badge tests are conducted regularly throughout the season during the regular sessions, with badges awarded upon completion of each test. Tests are always low key; the professionals recommend a test when a skater seems ready. Often, parents and children start lessons together and progress together through the badges.
     
     
   • USFS Tests. USFS also provides a testing structure for more advanced skaters. We expect to hold Moves in the Field, Freestyle and Dance tests in the spring. Test applications and further information are available from our test chair, Bonnie Collier.

Skaters may arrange for private lessons with approved coaches except during Basic Skills group lessons. Fees vary but are approximately $15 for a 15-minute individual lesson, or around $30 for a half hour. You may speak with the session chair or member of the Coach Committee for help in arranging lessons or for advice on selecting a coach. (The Coach Committee maintains information on the qualifications of all approved coaches. This information is kept at the rink and is available to any member or parent who is seeking a coach.) If you would like to contact one of the coaches to arrange for private lessons, please call our voice mail number (203)~432-1233 and leave a message.

Most beginners progress rapidly during the group lessons provided in the Basic Skills sessions. Sometimes, however, a skater may get stuck on a particular skill and would profit from individual lessons. Coaches are available for private lessons during Basic Skills practice time and are willing to arrange either regular or a few "ad hoc" lessons. Lessons at this level are typically 15 or 20 minutes. The lesson does not need to be with the assigned group coach.

Advanced skaters usually take private lessons. 15~minute to one hour lessons are arranged in advance with any of our approved coaches. Guest coaches are welcome to teach session subscribers, but must be registered with the Club. (Contact the Coach Committee Chair for information.)

Guest Policy
Only subscribers may skate at the Basic Skills sessions. Space permitting, other sessions are open to qualified skaters on a per-visit basis upon payment of the established guest fee for the session, listed below. Guests must register with the session chair and pay the fee before taking the ice. Guests must be USFS members. Full-time Yale students with a student I.D. card and YFSC members receive a discounted guest fee as shown below.

A coach who has been approved by the YFSC may give an occasional private lesson to a guest skater with the prior approval of the session chair. All guest lessons must conform to the level of the session. The session chair is the judge of appropriateness.

A guest skater may bring a guest coach (someone not previously approved by the board) for a private lesson only with the prior approval of the session chair. Such approval is normally granted only during the week before the skater is to take a test at a YFSC test session. Guest coaches must be registered with the Club. Requirements include documentation of coaches' liability insurance that names the Club and Yale University as additionally insured.

Club Membership
This is your Club. As a voting member, you have a say in how the Club is run. We encourage everyone to join and to participate in some of the many Club activities.

All members of YFSC are required to be members of USFS. Membership in USFS may be maintained through our Club or through another club. Those who register through our Club are called Home Club members of the YFSC; others are called Non-Home Club members. Membership is open to non-skaters as well as skaters. Voting privileges in YFSC are restricted to Home Club members age 18 and above.

Home Club or Non-Home Club members who are affiliated with Yale University (faculty, staff, fellows, students, or alumni) and members of their immediate family are said to be Yale-affiliated members Non-affiliated Club members are known as Community members. They enjoy the same member benefits as Yale-affiliated members except for certain fee discounts.

Dues for YFSC and USFS Membership.
Club dues are shown below. The first member of the family pays either Yale-affiliated or Community dues depending on the affiliation status of the family. Additional members of the immediate family who wish to join the Club pay the reduced "additional family member" fee. Club dues cover administrative costs and other general expenses. They do not cover USFS Membership fees or ice and lesson fees, which are charged separately.

Fees for Membership in YFSC

USFS membership fees for YFSC Home Club Members
Basic membershipin USFS is for skaters in the Basic Skills program. Regular membership in USFS is for more advanced skaters and board members. Families with one or more Home Club Regular USFS members receive an automatic subscription to Skating Magazine, the official publication of USFS, at no additional cost.

To join YFSC, send in a signed membership application, session registration form, and emergency medical form, with YFSC and USFS dues and other applicable fees.   Mail this to our administrative assistant,   Mary D'Agostino,   19 Douglas Road, Hamden, CT   06518-1859.  Please mail early!

The 2009--2010 skating season is divided into three 8 or 9-week terms: fall, winter and spring. The Fall term runs from September 19 through November 8 (8 weeks). The Winter term begins November 14. Fees for each 8 or 9-week term are payable in full before the beginning of that term. Club and USFS membership are on an annual basis and are payable before the first term skated.

Summary of Fall Sessions and Fees

All dues and fees must be received by the Club before a skater enters the ice.

YFSC Items
Club pins and sweatshirts are available for sale at Basic Skills sessions.

The Yale Figure Skating Club, Inc. (YFSC) is an independent non-profit organization that is sanctioned by United States Figure Skating (USFS). It is tax exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Contributions are welcome and are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our bylaws are available on the Bylaws page of this website

The business of the YFSC is conducted by a Board of Directors elected by adult Home Club YFSC members in odd-numbered years at the annual meeting, which is held each year shortly after the end of the skating season. All members and parents are encouraged to participate in Club activities throughout the year. The Directors for 2009--2011 term are listed below, along with any office held. Our Administrative Assistant is Mary D'Agostino.

Equipment and Clothing
Required equipment includes a good-fitting pair of skates and warm clothing, including gloves. Figure skates are recommended, but hockey skates can also be used at the beginning levels. A protective helmet is required for Snowplow Sam, Basic 1 and 2, and Adult 1.

Clothing should be warm and non-restrictive, including pants, a warm sweater, one pair of thin socks, and knitted mittens or gloves. Girls who are more advanced often like to wear tights and a short skating dress. Local sources for skating apparel:

• Skater's Landing, 84 Washington Ave., North Haven (203-234-3923), www.skaterslanding.com.
• The Dancer's Shop (in the Costume Bazaar), 1593 State Street, New Haven (203-498-7837).
• Dancer's World, 2348 Whitney Ave., Hamden (203-248-9304).
• The Dancer's Boutique, 224 Main Street, East Haven (203-469-6637).

Helmets. Look for a skating helmet that covers the back and sides of the head, as well as the forehead and top. Hockey, skateboarding, inline skating, or ski helmets may be a better choice than bicycle helmets, especially for older children and adults.

Accessories. We recommend a skate bag to carry and protect the skates. Some useful items to put in it are a clean rag, cloth blade covers, skate guards, and spare gloves. Use skate guards whenever you walk around off the ice. The rubber mats do not adequately protect the blades, and there are no mats leading to the restrooms upstairs. When you take your skates off, remove the guards and carefully dry the blades. Do not put the guards back on since they cause the blades to rust. The best way to protect your blades while they are in your bag is to use cloth blade covers.

Sharpening. All blades become dull after prolonged use and need periodic sharpening. Special equipment and expertise are required to sharpen figure skate blades properly. Recommended vendors are: Chris Bartlett at Skater's Landing, 84 Washington Ave., North Haven (203--234--3923); George Knakal, Norwalk, CT (203--857--4670); and Michael Sklutovsky, Skate Escape LLC, Middlefield, CT (860--983--5044). Be sure to call ahead--appointments may be necessary.

Buying Figure Skates. Very good equipment is important. It is better to buy good used skates which fit well than a new pair to ``grow into'' from catalogs or discount store skates. Some reliable brands are Don Jackson, Harlick, Klingbeil, Riedell, and SP Teri for boots and Wilson and MK for blades, but avoid ``bottom line'' skates. Suitable skates have leather uppers and soles, not vinyl or plastic, and the blades are attached with screws, not rivets. Beware of lower quality skates sold by mass merchandisers and some low-end sport shops.

A good fit is vital. Figure skates often run one-half to one full size smaller than street shoes. A skating boot should fit close to the foot without pinching the toes and should grip the heel so that it does not slip up and down in the back of the boot. Wear tights or very lightweight socks when being fitted (and when skating). The boot must support the ankle properly so that standing up over the blade comes naturally. A boot that is too big or too flimsy cannot do this and permits the ankle to drop over, making skating difficult and painful.

Choosing appropriate skates and fitting them takes some expertise. Club members have had good experience in the past with the skate dealers listed below:

• Chris Bartlett at Skater's Landing (see above) carries Don Jackson, Klingbeil and Riedell Skates and accessories.
• Ferguson's Ice Pro Shop, 25 Old Tavern Rd., Orange, CT 06477 (203-799-7200).

Buying Skates for Children and Snowplow Sam Good skates for this level are essential for growing feet. The Don Jackson brand comes in sizes small enough to fit tots. One model is the Glacier Youth Series. It is leather, has a pvc sole that allows the blade to be moved, if needed, is padded and lined. For a few dollars more, the Soft Skate model for girls has just been introduced. It has the same features at the Glacier, with an interior plush fleece for comfort. It is also available in larger sizes.

An option for ages 4--5 (only) is the molded skate which is carried by LL Bean and JC Penney (Little Princess and Little Prince). Unlike other skates, they correspond to shoe size. One coach tells us they provide support and have a flatter blade for good balance. While we do not endorse these products (and we recommend that skates always be fitted by a knowledgeable person familiar with skating equipment), availability can be a problem and this may be a solution, but only after exhausting your search with local suppliers. Please note: Molded skates are not recommended for skaters beyond age 5. Molded skates lack flexibility and could cause injuries to older skaters who have more body weight to support. Double runners are never permitted.

Ice Rules and Safety
The session chair has the responsibility and authority to enforce all rules and may ask a skater to leave the ice or withdraw from the session. Safety and courtesy are of utmost importance. Each skater must respect the right of others to make effective use of their ice time.

1. Skating, instruction and music must be in keeping with the level and content of the session.
2. Only skaters who are registered in or have paid a guest fee for a session may skate during that session. Guesting is not allowed in Basic Skills sessions.
3. Skaters may not enter the ice until their session time, and they must leave the ice promptly at the end.
4. Skaters must join a class or leave the ice during Basic Skills group instruction.
5. The Club is not responsible for personal property.

1. Parents or guardians of children under 8 must remain in the rink while their children are skating. Parents are responsible for lacing their children’s skates properly, leaving short lace ends and loops.
2. Children between 8 and 12 must be left in the care of a responsible adult.
3. Only skaters who can stand unsupported are allowed on the ice.
4. Snowplow Sam skaters must stay in their designated areas at all times.
5. Helmets are required for all Snowplow, Basic 1&2 and Adult 1 skaters.
6. Not permitted:
   • sitting on the ice. Get up quickly after a fall, unless injured.
   • kicking the ice or using toepicks to stop when going backwards.
   • sitting or leaving anything on the barrier inside the rink.
   • smoking, eating, chewing gum, or bringing food onto the ice.
   • dropping small objects on the ice.
   • racing.
7. Jumpers who create pits in the ice must fill them with "snow" before the ice is resurfaced.
8. Freestyle skaters have the right of way while their program music is being played; they must wear one of the colorful vests to make themselves notice- able. Dancers have the right of way while doing the called dance. Coaches and skaters should not stand in the way of others.
9. The only music permitted is played by the session chair (or music chair) through the rink sound system. Requests may be made to the session chair (or music chair). Program music will be rotated equitably.

• It is the policy of YFSC to require signed medical release forms of all its members.
• If an accident occurs, notify the session chair im- mediately.
• If the injury is serious, or might be, do not move the injured person.