EDITOR’S NOTE - Unfortunately, the Island Interclub competition schedule for Fuller Lake Arena has been cancelled due the road situation, particularly as it pertains to the Malahat, and the floods in certain areas around the Island. But we wanted to run most of the article anyway as it appears in today’s Chemainus Valley Courier (too late after presstime to pull it) to showcase what’s going on with the Fuller Lake Skating Club and highlight some of the skaters in numerous photos from a competition simulation last week. It’s not known when the event will be rescheduled.
A competition simulation last Wednesday at Fuller Lake Arena got several skaters from Fuller Lake and one from Duncan into performance mode.
The Fuller Lake skaters looked great in going through their routines, other than a bit of stiffness they’ll have to work out.
“We were so fortunate to be able to skate through COVID,” noted Fuller Lake head coach Dominic Turgeon. “There were not many provinces that had that opportunity.
“We did do a virtual competition for regionals last year and I was extremely pleased with all of the skaters. I feel as though we may be behind the eight ball a bit getting back into the groove, but the playing field is fairly even given that clubs and skaters throughout B.C. have been in the same situation.”
Turgeon added many skaters have moved up a category which creates a bit of a learning curve.
“Generally speaking, I have a strong sense of accomplishment with these kids. I feel we have an awesome working relationship and positive energy in the club. Often with smaller clubs away from the larger centers, it’s hard to keep up. That’s not the case here. Fuller Lake skaters are able to hold their own and fit right in with what’s happening in the larger picture. The club is doing well and is growing which may end up being a bit of an issue with only so much ice time, lesson slots available and so on. But really that’s a good problem to have.”
Senior skater Sophie Dawe, who’s in the Star 7 category and also does artistic, was looking forward to the competition on home ice.
“Currently going into the first competition of the year is stressful and you want to be focused as you want to make a good impression for the first competition,” she reasoned. “Having spectators in the stands is definitely a different feeling but I’m sure that’s the least of our worries as many of us have been doing this a long time and performing is just part of our nature.
”Everyone definitely has high expectations for themselves as I know I do, and we’ve all been practicing for this moment since COVID has started.”
