Synchro: No Way. We Need Ice Dance, Too?

Yea! I am a synchro mom too, my skater loves synchro…. sadly our club and rink do not .. every year it is a struggle to put together teams. As for ice dance.. YES YES YES! From an observer's point of view it adds poise, posture, synchrony, presence and yet another ability to pull of potentially ridiculous looking skate dresses. As for college teams… my skater is approaching the time to pick colleges and it is true. We've had synchro skaters from our club skate in college and the dance makes a huge differnce.Looking forward to your new blog!

Yea! I am a synchro mom too, my skater loves synchro…. sadly our club and rink do not .. every year it is a struggle to put together teams. As for ice dance.. YES YES YES! From an observer's point of view it adds poise, posture, synchrony, presence and yet another ability to pull of potentially ridiculous looking skate dresses. As for college teams… my skater is approaching the time to pick colleges and it is true. We've had synchro skaters from our club skate in college and the dance makes a huge differnce.
Looking forward to your new blog!

So far, the colleges are not offering much in way of scholarship, most synchro teams in college are clubs. I am hoping by the time my skaters (9 and 10) get there, things will improve. My 10 yo started taking dance, but my 9 yo hasn't yet, mostly because she also competes freestyle and there just isn't enough time!

So far, the colleges are not offering much in way of scholarship, most synchro teams in college are clubs. I am hoping by the time my skaters (9 and 10) get there, things will improve. My 10 yo started taking dance, but my 9 yo hasn't yet, mostly because she also competes freestyle and there just isn't enough time!

Anonymous, our rink struggles too, we just don't get the support from the LTS programs and private coaches like some other rinks do. It is a shame, because there are lots of very talented skaters that are just not huge jumpers and synchro is a great competitive outlet for them.

Anonymous, our rink struggles too, we just don't get the support from the LTS programs and private coaches like some other rinks do. It is a shame, because there are lots of very talented skaters that are just not huge jumpers and synchro is a great competitive outlet for them.

I'm very excited for your blog! My daughter (5) is looking to get into synchro. It's not at our rink but we would have to drive to the next city.Worth it to make friends skating. There just aren't any serious skaters her age at our rink.

I'm very excited for your blog! My daughter (5) is looking to get into synchro. It's not at our rink but we would have to drive to the next city.

Worth it to make friends skating. There just aren't any serious skaters her age at our rink.

I'm telling you: Synchro Mom's club is a synchro machine. Classes, edgework, summer practices, tryouts…they have it going on.Amazing fund raising, too.Ice Mom

I'm telling you: Synchro Mom's club is a synchro machine. Classes, edgework, summer practices, tryouts…they have it going on.

Amazing fund raising, too.

Ice Mom

Anonymous- I am so jealous of THAT other rink as we struggle! Lots of our synchro skaters drive way farther than the next city to be on a high level team

Anonymous- I am so jealous of THAT other rink as we struggle! Lots of our synchro skaters drive way farther than the next city to be on a high level team

Glad to hear we aren't the only club struggling; we have the skeleton of a program; tryouts, summer practice, etc, but little support and too much "in fighting" for growth and retention.My skater will never to triples, but, synchro is a great way for her to compete and feel successful.

Glad to hear we aren't the only club struggling; we have the skeleton of a program; tryouts, summer practice, etc, but little support and too much "in fighting" for growth and retention.

My skater will never to triples, but, synchro is a great way for her to compete and feel successful.

Despite the fact that figure skating is a huge sport for grade school and high school girls, especially because of synchro, you may be surprised to learn that it is NOT an NCAA sport; this is why there are very few, if any, scholarships for skaters. However, high-test skaters, and that includes those on Novice and above Synchro teams, can and do get scholarships not FOR their skating, but based on that accomplishment.The place to start is with all the colleges that have competitive teams (see who's competing at the USFS collegiate championships) and synchronized skating. Write to those college athletic directors, and to the competition, membership and collegiate committee chairs at USFS and the membership director at ISI and ask them what you can do to lobby the NCAA to get both team and singles skating added as an NCAA sport.

Despite the fact that figure skating is a huge sport for grade school and high school girls, especially because of synchro, you may be surprised to learn that it is NOT an NCAA sport; this is why there are very few, if any, scholarships for skaters. However, high-test skaters, and that includes those on Novice and above Synchro teams, can and do get scholarships not FOR their skating, but based on that accomplishment.

The place to start is with all the colleges that have competitive teams (see who's competing at the USFS collegiate championships) and synchronized skating. Write to those college athletic directors, and to the competition, membership and collegiate committee chairs at USFS and the membership director at ISI and ask them what you can do to lobby the NCAA to get both team and singles skating added as an NCAA sport.

Some Synchro scholarships are available, but they tend to be private scholarships.On Twitter, @whitethenubeige wrote this yesterday:Team Excel of Boston announces intercollegiate synchro scholarship for those attending any school in and around Boston: http://ow.ly/1s6zEIce Mom

Some Synchro scholarships are available, but they tend to be private scholarships.

On Twitter, @whitethenubeige wrote this yesterday:

Team Excel of Boston announces intercollegiate synchro scholarship for those attending any school in and around Boston: http://ow.ly/1s6zE

Ice Mom

Ice Mom…that is very new, and it really a stipend that only covers what it costs to be on the team. The Hayden team is doing it too, but it does nothing to defray college expenses. I agree it needs to be an NCAA sport- but my older daughter is an equestrian and even though it IS (for some 12 or so colleges) an NCAA sport, there are still very few scholarships compared to other NCAA sports.

Ice Mom…that is very new, and it really a stipend that only covers what it costs to be on the team. The Hayden team is doing it too, but it does nothing to defray college expenses. I agree it needs to be an NCAA sport- but my older daughter is an equestrian and even though it IS (for some 12 or so colleges) an NCAA sport, there are still very few scholarships compared to other NCAA sports.

Hey, jumpingbeanmom.Yeah. I would love a good figure skating/synchro scholarship.Dreaming? Probably.I'll say it again: the only bargain in figure skating is Learn to Skate.Ah, well. A gal can dream about scholarships, hey?Ice Mom

Hey, jumpingbeanmom.

Yeah. I would love a good figure skating/synchro scholarship.

Dreaming? Probably.

I'll say it again: the only bargain in figure skating is Learn to Skate.

Ah, well. A gal can dream about scholarships, hey?

Ice Mom

I think whether or not ice dance is worth it depends on your reasons. If your reasoning is that you want the skater to get a scholarship to do synchro in college, that's probably not the best reason. Scholarships are too slim and the odds don't make it likely.If you're considering ice dance so that the skater can make a competitive synchro team in college, that's a better reason. Dance definitely helps with extension, musicality, and edge work, and all the college synchro skaters I know have done ice dance at least up to their pre-silvers.If you're considering ice dance because the skater thinks it sounds like fun, that's the best reason of all. I started ice dance when I was completely stuck on getting my stupid axel. I'd been working on it for over two years, and I desperately wanted something else to work on. Ice dance was fantastic for me, and I actually landed my axel just a few months after starting dance. That might've been a coincidence, but dance definitely did a lot for my speed and technique, so that couldn't have hurt!

I think whether or not ice dance is worth it depends on your reasons. If your reasoning is that you want the skater to get a scholarship to do synchro in college, that's probably not the best reason. Scholarships are too slim and the odds don't make it likely.

If you're considering ice dance so that the skater can make a competitive synchro team in college, that's a better reason. Dance definitely helps with extension, musicality, and edge work, and all the college synchro skaters I know have done ice dance at least up to their pre-silvers.

If you're considering ice dance because the skater thinks it sounds like fun, that's the best reason of all. I started ice dance when I was completely stuck on getting my stupid axel. I'd been working on it for over two years, and I desperately wanted something else to work on. Ice dance was fantastic for me, and I actually landed my axel just a few months after starting dance. That might've been a coincidence, but dance definitely did a lot for my speed and technique, so that couldn't have hurt!

Hey, Katrine.I think you're right. You can really tell those who've had ice dance. Beautiful edges and a musical quality to their skating.Thanks for the comment.Ice Mom

Hey, Katrine.

I think you're right. You can really tell those who've had ice dance. Beautiful edges and a musical quality to their skating.

Thanks for the comment.

Ice Mom

I've always wanted to try synchro and ice dancing– unfortunately, my rink barely has Learn To Skate classes, much less freestyle ice time and FORGET about synchro. :'( But maybe I'll have to go find a rink with synchro/ice dance for that scholarship.

I've always wanted to try synchro and ice dancing– unfortunately, my rink barely has Learn To Skate classes, much less freestyle ice time and FORGET about synchro. :'( But maybe I'll have to go find a rink with synchro/ice dance for that scholarship.

Hey, Anony.Our rink makes an attempt at synchro. Actually, for the amount of practice Ice Girl had with the team, I thought they did pretty well.However, Synchro Mom's rink is NUTS. I'm not kidding you. It's a synchro machine.I've always said that if Ice Girl were ever serious about synchro, we'd switch clubs and drive a bit farther for her to skate at the synchro-focused club.However, she was content to be on a team that didn't compete much. She wanted the experience, but not a huge commitment. Individual skating is her huge commitment.Ice Mom

Hey, Anony.

Our rink makes an attempt at synchro. Actually, for the amount of practice Ice Girl had with the team, I thought they did pretty well.

However, Synchro Mom's rink is NUTS. I'm not kidding you. It's a synchro machine.

I've always said that if Ice Girl were ever serious about synchro, we'd switch clubs and drive a bit farther for her to skate at the synchro-focused club.

However, she was content to be on a team that didn't compete much. She wanted the experience, but not a huge commitment. Individual skating is her huge commitment.

Ice Mom

Anonymous, It is true clubs have to work very hard and stay committed to their synchro teams. We were very lucky to have a strong group of past/present synchro moms and coaches lead the way for us! Check out the colleges that offer synchro skating, some have already released their newsletters. UW Madison has their "Want to Skate WI" invitation set for April 17th!

Anonymous, It is true clubs have to work very hard and stay committed to their synchro teams. We were very lucky to have a strong group of past/present synchro moms and coaches lead the way for us! Check out the colleges that offer synchro skating, some have already released their newsletters. UW Madison has their "Want to Skate WI" invitation set for April 17th!

Katrine, Thanks for you comments and you are right, most competitive college synchro teams require ice dancing. Synchro girl is absolutely thrilled she can be on the ice for additional lessons. She would live there if she could! Our rink is less than two miles away and this year she could not understand why we wouldn't flood our backyard for additional ice time!

Katrine, Thanks for you comments and you are right, most competitive college synchro teams require ice dancing. Synchro girl is absolutely thrilled she can be on the ice for additional lessons. She would live there if she could! Our rink is less than two miles away and this year she could not understand why we wouldn't flood our backyard for additional ice time!

I think Ice dancing is wonderful for all disciplines, especially since figures went out of competition. Single skaters I know who take ice dancing very polished in edges and posture etc. I agree that it helps if your skater finds it interesting, and you have a good ice dancing coach! I am looking forward to your blog. We don't have many synchro teams in our area, and if there are any, they consist of 3 or 5 people, and I am curious about things like if the teams have to rent ice or if they practice on regular sessions. It's crazy when the TOI practices on freestyle sessions over here. I couldn't imagine many people linking up and other skaters practicing around them .

I think Ice dancing is wonderful for all disciplines, especially since figures went out of competition. Single skaters I know who take ice dancing very polished in edges and posture etc. I agree that it helps if your skater finds it interesting, and you have a good ice dancing coach!

I am looking forward to your blog. We don't have many synchro teams in our area, and if there are any, they consist of 3 or 5 people, and I am curious about things like if the teams have to rent ice or if they practice on regular sessions. It's crazy when the TOI practices on freestyle sessions over here. I couldn't imagine many people linking up and other skaters practicing around them .

Our rink has synchro teams: we have our own ice time, etc. There's no way you could link up 8-12( or more) skaters during freestyle ice. Our skaters have enough trouble getting around the adult pairs team and high level field move testers!!I too am looking forward to the synchro mom board.

Our rink has synchro teams: we have our own ice time, etc. There's no way you could link up 8-12( or more) skaters during freestyle ice. Our skaters have enough trouble getting around the adult pairs team and high level field move testers!!

I too am looking forward to the synchro mom board.

Ice MomWe are in the same place with jumping bean, she is 9 and thus far appears to be a talented freestyle skater. She does synchro on a local team. We are trying to see what happens come age 11 or 12 and how juvie goes, she can always try out for a bigger more serious synchro team then, she will STILL be young. Of course, right now she is OUT with a stress fracture of the heel on her landing foot- jumping bean is NOT a happy camper.

Ice Mom

We are in the same place with jumping bean, she is 9 and thus far appears to be a talented freestyle skater. She does synchro on a local team. We are trying to see what happens come age 11 or 12 and how juvie goes, she can always try out for a bigger more serious synchro team then, she will STILL be young. Of course, right now she is OUT with a stress fracture of the heel on her landing foot- jumping bean is NOT a happy camper.

Hey Synchro Moms of the World,

I am a seasoned synchro skater myself (12 seasons under my belt) and now skate in college for the University of Illinois. I wanted to give you hope that in college, although there are limited amounts of skating scholarships at this time, most schools' Club Sports departments give the teams some reimbursements and other deals. For example, we get a *great* deal on ice time (one of a team's largest expenses) because we are students of the University.

As for ice dance, I would recommend it. I went to Miami's synchro camps as a kid and every year, I got the same comments on my end-of-camp eval: “Great attitude.. dedicated skater.. start taking ice dance”. It improved my skating quality so much and it is the perfect training tool for synchro skaters. Not to mention, it is wicked fun once you get passed the basic intro level!

Good luck to all your daughters! And once they're old enough, send them our way; we love seeing dedicated skaters who love the sport as much as we do at Illinois!

arrrggggghhhhh there are NO skating scholarships at colleges!! Occ you will find a rink/club that gives one or perhaps the rare endowed one. Synchro skaters (like the other disciplines) tend to be bright, motivated and organized which could garner scholarship awards but I can assure you that none of the top collegiate synchro team colleges (Miami, Delaware, Michigan, IL, Michigan State etc) have specific academic scholarships in the sense that you might get one for excellence in some other sport. Miami is a varsity program so the synchro skating costs are covered. Most often, synchro is a club sport with varying levels of financial support. SCoB is trying to rev up their collegiate program (team Excel) by making it free. DD started synchro at 7, skated through college and is now on an adult team. We had no ice dance coaches locally so it wasn’t until late in highschool she started dance. As others have said, even if you have no synchro intentions, ice dance really enhances posture etc.

arrrggggghhhhh there are NO skating scholarships at colleges!! Occ you will find a rink/club that gives one or perhaps the rare endowed one. Synchro skaters (like the other disciplines) tend to be bright, motivated and organized which could garner scholarship awards but I can assure you that none of the top collegiate synchro team colleges (Miami, Delaware, Michigan, IL, Michigan State etc) have specific academic scholarships in the sense that you might get one for excellence in some other sport. Miami is a varsity program so the synchro skating costs are covered. Most often, synchro is a club sport with varying levels of financial support. SCoB is trying to rev up their collegiate program (team Excel) by making it free. DD started synchro at 7, skated through college and is now on an adult team. We had no ice dance coaches locally so it wasn't until late in highschool she started dance. As others have said, even if you have no synchro intentions, ice dance really enhances posture etc.