Beaumont Figure Skating Club Handbook

This handbook has been prepared to help all our Club Members and their parents understand the aspects
of our Skating programs.

Please take the time to read this handbook in order to familiarize yourself with our Club, the sport of
skating and what will be expected from you as a member of our Club.

SKATE CANADA
The Beaumont Figure Skating Club (BFSC) is a Skate Canada sanctioned club within the AB/NWT/Nunavut
section of Skate Canada, and our programs are developed and implemented by Skate Canada standards.
Skate Canada is the governing body of amateur skating/figure skating in Canada. It provides standards
and rules for the activities of its members, qualifies and appoints evaluators, judges, and other officials,
conducts training seminars for coaches and skaters, provides information to the general public, and
provides financial support. Membership includes all amateur figure skating clubs, all Skaters of each
club, coaches, executive and officials. All members are registered with Skate Canada through their
home club upon payment of the annual registration fee (Skate Canada Fee- SC). Each skater will receive
a Skate Canada registration identification number that is recorded at the national office. This number
does not change and remains your link to Skate Canada forever; even in years you are not an active
member. In order to attend a Club or Skate Canada Sanctioned Assessment Day, Competition or any
other Skate Canada sanctioned event you must be a current member of Skate Canada.
BFSC will continue to deliver quality CanSkate, recreational, and competitive skating programs. We are
very proud of our club and our coaches. If you have any questions or you would like to help out with
anything, please contact any Executive Member.

SKATE CANADA MEMBERSHIP/INSURANCE/SAFE SPORT
As a Skate Canada sanctioned club, all members of the BSFC pay a once a year fee, September 1 - August
31, that includes the mandatory Skate Canada membership, insurance, administration costs and Safe
Sport fee. This is called the Skate Canada Membership (SC).

REGISTRATION
Registration for all our programs is completed online through the Uplifter Registration system. All
programs being offered will be displayed on the Club website and in the Uplifter System.
For more information on our Registration dates & times, please follow our Facebook and Instagram Page or our website
at www.beaumontskatingclub.com

COMMUNICATION
We keep all of our members informed of what’s happening at BFSC through several methods:
● Website and Email – in an effort to save our environment and keep administration costs down, we
have a website (www.beaumontskatingclub.com) which we encourage you to check often. The
website is updated regularly with announcements, news and anything else we feel is of interest to
our skaters. You will also receive emails from the Club reminding you of upcoming events.
Please ensure you Opt In to club communications when setting up your Uplifter profile.
● Social Media – We have Facebook and Instagram pages which can be found by searching Beaumont Figure Skating Club.
● Bulletin Board – We encourage you to check our bulletin board often for current information. The
board is located on the main floor of the Ken Nichols Recreation Centre just outside Arena 2.
● Newsletters – Club newsletters are sent out via email, posted on our website and attached to our
bulletin board.

BFSC EXECUTIVE
All Executive positions with the Beaumont Figure Skating Club are parent volunteer elected positions. It is due
to the hard work of these individuals that our children are able to skate at all levels. The BFSC Executive
is active 12 months of every year (August 1st-  July 31st). During this time we are organizing fundraising
activities, registering skaters, organizing assessment and competition days, and carrying out the
multitude of other details related to the operation of our Club. New Executive members are elected at
every annual AGM in the spring of the skate year. If interested in being part of the Executive and would like more
information, contact any of the existing Executive Members or email the club for more details.

There are benefits to joining the Executive – contact us for more details.
Our current positions are:
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Business Coordinator
Directors x 3

COACHING STAFF
As a Skate Canada sanctioned club, The Beaumont Skating Club coaches are certified to teach under the
strict rules of the Skate Canada mandate. All Coaches that are coaching the Skate Canada programs
must meet Skate Canada/NCCP requirements.

PROGRAM ASSISTANTS
All StarSkaters 10 years of age or older are encouraged to become Program Assistants for the younger
skaters during PreCanSkate and CanSkate sessions. Their duties include assisting the professional
coaches during lessons, leading activities in the warm-up and cool-down portion of the sessions, and
helping our new skaters to get their balance on the ice. Please contact the Head Coach for more details.

BFSC CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS 
Our Club can only function if all of its members - skaters, coaches, and parents are working together.
Our Club follows the Skate Canada Code of Conduct and Ethics for Skaters, Clubs, Coaches, Parents and
other Skate Canada staff. 

BFSC SAFETY RULES

1. Permission must be attained before leaving the ice for any reason. This is both a courtesy to
staff and a safety factor for the skaters.
2. If a parent or a skater needs to speak to a coach, please do so off the ice. 
3. No skater is to be on the ice at the same time as the Zamboni.
4. No skater is to be on the ice without a coach or BFSC Executive Member present.
5. Skates must be worn on the ice at all times.
6. No parents are allowed on the ice at any time.
7. Skaters are not to enter or leave the ice over the boards or to sit on the boards.
8. No gum, candy, or food is allowed on the ice or bench area.
9. Skate guards must be used when skaters leave the ice.
10. Dressing rooms must be kept clean.

ICE ETIQUETTE

1. Skaters running their program (music is playing) have the right of way at all times. All other skaters are expected to give them free maneuvering room.

2.Skaters in a lesson with their Coach have the next right of way. This includes private and/or group lessons. 

3. Lutz Corner - Because of the nature of the Lutz jump, it is most commonly performed in the corners of the rink (unless you are a clockwise jumper). These corners are the "Lutz Corners". Avoid practice in these corners, and be especially aware of your surroundings when you are in them. Remember that the approach to a Lutz is long and blind. The skater doing the Lutz is not likely to see you.

4. Spins -  Spins should be practiced in the center of the ice between the blue lines so as not to interrupt jump training patterns. Recognize that once you have started the element it will be hard for you to see those around you. Take a good look at your expected "space" before you start the element.

PREDICTABILITY

The more you skate, you will recognize that a practice session has a certain "rhythm" to it. People tend to do expectable or predictable movements, and you can usually guess where somebody else is going. For example, the typical approaches to each jump or spin are usually recognizable. If you are an opposite (clockwise) jumper, be aware that other skaters are likely to predict your skating path and movements incorrectly.

If you have clockwise jumpers in your rink, try to recognize them and adjust your expectations accordingly.

Try not to skate or behave in a way that would surprise other skaters.

If you are standing near the boards, do not enter the flow of skaters without checking to make sure you are not going to get into someone else's way.

Refrain from standing around and visiting on the ice. This wastes expensive ice and presents an additional hazard for other skaters to avoid.

FALLS AND INJURIES

If you fall, get up quickly. Remember that the other skaters will have a much harder time seeing you when you are down low on the ice. Don't stay there any longer than you have to.

If you see someone else has fallen and may be injured, do not move them off without being certain that doing so will not hurt them further. If you suspect that someone is seriously injured, the best thing to do is have someone stand "guard" over them to make sure that other skaters avoid collisions with them, and get a qualified adult to come and assist them. Try to keep them warm with a blanket, warm-up jacket, or sweatshirt laid over them while waiting for help to arrive.

WHAT TO WEAR
For Beginners we understand that a lot of them tend to end up lying on the ice however we find that
snowsuits can hinder a beginner skater as they are bulky and slippery. We would recommend a pair of
warm pants or even a couple of layers along with a sweater or a jacket (without a hood).
Gloves or mittens MUST be worn for warmth and safety. CSA approved Hockey Helmets are mandatory
for ALL skaters in the Learn-to-Skate and/or CanSkate programs. No other helmets will be allowed.
Scarves and large hats should be avoided as they can be dangerous.
Junior Academy and STARSkaters are required to wear fitted clothing/athletic wear. No jeans, baggy clothing, or hoods are not allowed. Gloves/mittens are
recommended.

CHANGE ROOMS
The Beaumont Figure Skating Club is assigned up to two change rooms during the year for each session. These
are subject to change each day so we cannot guarantee we will have the same room during each session.
They are also unisex unless otherwise indicated.
Please check the KNRRC or BSRC display monitors upon arrival to confirm which change rooms are for
the BFSC on each particular day.

REMEMBER

Every child’s development (physical, emotional and social) is different and so does being ready to learn in
a group environment. A child must be able to understand simple instructions and follow directions from a
person other than their parent.
Please be patient with our Coaches and most importantly with your Skater while they are learning to
skate. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your skater’s coach or email the club
directly.

BFSC REFUND POLICY 
We as a Club understand that sometimes skaters are not ready for skating when we, as parents, think
they are. We are happy to offer a refund providing the following:

PLEASE NOTE: It is the skater's responsibility to notify the Registrar of any withdrawals or changes to the program.
business_coordinator@beaumontsc.com 

Withdraw 7 days prior to program start date

● The club will refund the full program fees less the $9 Administration Fee and Skate Canada fee will be charged and a refund for the pro-rated remainder of the season will be issued.

Withdraw 7 days prior to OR within 7 days after the start date:

● $9 Administration Fee and Skate Canada fee will be charged and a refund for the pro-rated remainder of the season will be issued.
● After the Deadline Date: NO REFUNDS will be issued (this includes Fundraising and Volunteering)

Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) & Administration Fees:
● The Club imposes a $25 NSF on all non sufficient/declined payments.
● All Registration Refunds will have a $25 Administration Fee imposed on them.
● Any skater not in good standing will be restricted from participating in programming until their member
account is paid up to date

SKATE CANADA ANTI-BULLYING POLICY

Bullying is a form of harassment and is considered to be “personal harassment” as defined in the Skate Canada Membership Complaint Policy section 9. (c). Skate Canada’s complaint policies are contained in the Policies and Procedures section of the rule book available on the Members Only portion of the Skate Canada web site under Technical & Programs > Rules > 2013 Official Rule Book > Policies & Procedures > Bylaws.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Skate Canada strongly condemns bullying, will not tolerate bullying by any of its members, and is committed to raising awareness of this issue and preventing and eliminating bullying behaviour within Skate Canada. Skate Canada recognizes that bullying can have a serious adverse impact on personal dignity, self-esteem, confidence, personal safety, performance, enjoyment of skating and of life itself.

All Skate Canada members have the right to participate in a safe, supportive and caring environment free from harassment and they have the responsibility to contribute to the protection and maintenance of this environment.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

Bullying is a form of personal harassment and includes physical or verbal abuse that occurs once or repeatedly and may involve an imbalance of power. Bullying is intended to hurt and humiliate the victim and may include:

• Insulting or derogatory remarks or gestures
• Rude or vulgar language or gestures
• Shouting, yelling, swearing, name-calling
• Persistent unwarranted criticism
• Public ridicule
• Verbal, written or physical threats and intimidation
• Hitting, kicking, pushing or other types of forceful physical contact

Bullying may occur in-person or through electronic means including e-mail, texting and social media.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BULLIED?

If a member has experienced bullying behaviour, or has witnessed another member being bullied, the member may submit a complaint to the Complaint Review Officer at the Skate Canada national office as per the process in the Skate Canada Membership Complaints, Hearing and Investigation Procedures Policy.

CLUBS AND SKATING SCHOOLS

Skate Canada recommends that all of its member clubs and skating schools post this document on their club/school notice boards and/or web site and make it available for members upon request.

Every member club and skating school will inform its athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers of this document and will encourage victims of bullying, and the parents of victims of bullying, to bring forward these items as per the above mentioned process so that all necessary and reasonable steps to stop and prevent bullying behaviour can be taken.

Skate Canada’s Position Statement on Bullying is posted on the Members Only site under “Members”.