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INUVIK
For the first time this season the Junior A and B divisions of the Inuvik Figure Skating Club took to the ice at the Midnight Sun Complex. Some of the more senior levels have been skating since the ice was put in on Sept. 17, but for many of the girls it was the first time twirling since March.

Myja Semmler, left, and Pearl Gillis support each other during a practice at the Midnight Sun Complex on Tuesday. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

It was also the first skate before a five-day skating clinic starts, which culminates in a show on Sunday.

"It starts getting really busy," said Marina Simon, treasurer and registrar of the club. "The groups have both on and off-ice training, and once it gets into the competitive levels there's skating every day."

The off-ice training can consist of yoga, choreography and strength training. Last year, coach Danyelle Ellis held Zumba classes with the juniors, which they really enjoyed, said Simon.

Ellis is returning for her second year as a full-time coach for the club, but she has taught clinics in the North for the past few years.

A full-time professional coach makes a huge difference, said Simon.

"The progress in the girls is amazing. You watch them on the first day of the clinic and then during the show at the end and the improvement is extraordinary."

For seven-year-old Pearl Gillis it wasn't only her first time on the ice for the season, it was her first time skating as a junior.

Gillis has been figure skating since she was four and has spent three years in the CanSkate program. While she said she always looks forward to the annual end-of-year Skate Carnival, there are other motivations for coming out to a practice.

"I like hanging out with my friends."

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