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Inuvik lands figure skating coach
Ontario instructor will train Arctic Winter Games athletes
Samantha Stokell
Danyelle Ellis, from Georgetown, Ont., will stay in Inuvik to train figure skaters for the Arctic Winter Games and to provide consistency in training for all skaters in the club. Since 2007, Ellis has travelled to the North to hold clinics, but decided to make the move this year with her two children and two dogs. "I really like the kids and get so attached to the kids," she said. "The parents and kids are so much more appreciative. They don't take it for granted." A few of the skaters from Inuvik spend the summer months with Ellis in Ontario, where figure skating clubs operate all year long. Since this season will feature the Arctic Winter Games, Ellis wanted to give the three skaters an opportunity to make it to the games in Whitehorse in March. Theresa Ross, president of the community's skating club, thinks all skaters in the club will benefit from having a coach with certification and knowledge in the technical areas. Since the club last had a coach five years ago, parents and more experienced skaters have instructed instead of a coach sanctioned by Skate Canada. "The more advanced skaters can work on double jumps and spins and changing positions in spins. (Ellis) will have the technical expertise for skaters for what we want to do," Ross said. "She established a good relationship with the skaters and knows we didn't have a coach. We're pretty lucky." Ellis will focus on teaching the skaters how to practice with consistency and how to practise when there is no coach. "I want to make sure that they're not just out there, farting around. It's wishy-washy," Ellis said. "There's no structure, no consistency. Last year I restructured CanSkate (in Inuvik). I'm teaching them the basics so they can build a program themselves." When the Inuvik skaters first went to Ontario, Ellis said the Inuvik athletes were surprised by the professional atmosphere and by how disciplined and skilled even the younger skaters were. "It was a major eye opener. The skaters were constantly on the ice. There was no getting off to eat fries," Ellis said. "They were shocked by the level of the young skaters. It comes from having availability of coaches and day camps and training." Upon seeing the intensity of the skating clubs in Ontario, the Inuvik skaters fell right into place, she said. She hopes that through her presence for the entire season, Inuvik skaters will learn the basics and be able to coach themselves later on. The basic skills include jumps and spins, how to skate properly and dance skills. On Oct. 7, 8 and 9, Ellis and another coach from Ontario held all-day clinics for more than 20 skaters to focus on those basic skills. The more experienced skaters performed a dance sequence, complete with lifts. The Inuvik Figure Skating Club has 62 registered skaters and also organizes regular skating lessons for adults and children as young as three. Plans for the year include Halloween and Christmas skates, a skate-a-thon, competitions and ice shows.
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