The Estevan Skating Club held its biannual showcase over the weekend, bringing together skaters of all levels for a day of performances, fun, and celebration.
The event, which takes place every two years in its full format, featured 34 performances, as well as carnival-themed fun and games. Attendees also had the chance to take part in raffles and win prizes throughout the event.
The showcase followed a “County Fair” theme—an uncommon choice in figure skating. “You don’t usually see jeans on the ice,” coach Ashley Piper noted with a laugh. Some performances even incorporated humor into their routines, delighting the audience.
“It was a lot of work to get going, but I’m glad that we did it. It was a really fun day,” Piper said.
The showcase marked the end of the season for most skaters, although some of the club’s competitive members will continue training into May.
The club offers programs for skaters as young as three years old, with many continuing until graduation. This year, they also introduced an adult skating program, allowing former skaters to return to the ice.
For Piper, who's in her third year with the club, one of the best parts of the showcase was seeing skaters rise to the occasion in front of a crowd. “I like watching the skaters and what they’ve been working on all year and seeing what they can do when it matters,” she said.
This year’s event also featured a special performance from guest skater Ashlyn Schmitz, who has competed at the Canada Winter Games, Nationals, and Junior World Championships, where she placed 11th. She has represented Canada in competitions across Europe and the U.S. and looks forward to returning to pairs skating next season.
As the season wrapped up, two graduating skaters took the ice one last time. "They both had their final performance yesterday and then finished the showoff with the speech that they wrote thanking their parents and everyone who's helped them in their skating journey."
With another successful season behind them, the club looks forward to welcoming new and returning skaters in the fall.