Proudly sponsored by Doug Tarry
They are the Dragonflies, and they’re a unique synchronized skating team made up of athletes from a variety of local clubs. Based out of the North Dorchester Skating Club, the Dragonflies have grown from one team to three teams, and now invite skaters from Embro, Norwich, Ingersoll, Brantford, Thamesford, and Dorchester.
The three synchronized skating teams, which each include eight to 16 figure skaters (both male and female) include Beginner 2 (ages 12 & Under), Elementary (ages 10 to 13) and a more competitive Juvenile team (ages 10 to 13).
“Our skaters’ commitment and dedication to the sport, and the support of our families are our biggest strength,” says Lynne Finlay, who coaches the Dragonflies along with Lindsay Ketchabaw. “We have really built a supportive skating community. Figure skating is an individual sport, but synchronized skating gives our athletes opportunities to work as a team for a common goal!”
The Dragonflies skate once per week at the Ingersoll and Dorchester community centres, and the skaters also participate in other skating activities with their home clubs during the week. Many ‘Learn to Skate’ program assistants, where they volunteer their time to help with the next generation of skaters. Many Dragonflies are also active in solo competitions and Skate Canada Star Program tests.
“Our skaters work on dance, free skate, and skills, as well as synchronized skating,” says Finlay. “We prepare skaters to develop their self confidence and performance skills, and we give our teams every opportunity to perform and work together with new challenges that will help develop lifelong skills.”
Besides skating in competitions across southwestern Ontario, where all three teams have accomplished personal bests this season, the Dragonflies have performed at London Knights hockey games (in front of 9,000 fans), as well as for the Dorchester Dolphins and in local Carnival Ice Shows. Each year the Club also does themed performances, and this year it is Riverdance (to recognize the 25th anniversary of its creation).
“We had the great support and assistance of Nora Corrigan, from the Corrigan Irish School of Dance to make our programs authentic!” said Finlay.
In competition, Finlay says, the overall goal for the Dragonflies is to improve upon the score of the previous skate.
“We perform the same program each competitive event during the course of one season, and we are always learning new elements in order to make the program more difficult as the season progresses. Our Juvenile team beat their first competition score and posted a new personal best by FIVE points!”
Interested in joining the Dragonflies synchronized skating team? Contact skatendsc@gmail.com.
Contributions by Lynne Finlay
