info for new and returning synergy skaters

SUMMER practice

Most of our St. Louis Synergy teams will have practice during the summer months with the exception of Formation and Aspire (formerly synchro skills 1).

*        Qualifying Teams and Developmental Teams.  Practices for the Qualifying Teams and the Developmental Teams will start in June with a Kickoff weekend and practices will continue through that month. There is typically a break in practices over the month of July (a good time to plan a vacation).  Following this break is a weekend long boot camp in early August before the start of school that will involve longer hours.  This is a very important boot camp during which skaters should plan to devote most of the weekend to a full agenda of skating and off-ice training. We try to avoid work week hours as much as possible, but unfortunately, our schedule is dependent on ice availability. 

*        Beginning Teams-Formation and Aspire.  Practices for Formation and Aspire will typically start in August, however, skill classes are usually offered through the summer for these levels. These skill classes are optional and not included in the Synergy fees. 

Various figure skating camps and synchronized skating camps are also beneficial - see some helpful links below:

Kirkwood Summer Figure Skating Camp

Miami of Ohio Figure Summer Skating Schools

Adrian College Bulldogs Synchronized Skating Camp

REGULAR PRACTICE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR

*        Qualifying Teams (Junior, Novice, Juvenile):  The Qualifying Teams will practice at least 3 days a week.

*        Developmental Teams (Pre-Juvenile, Preliminary):  The Developmental Teams will practice 2 days a week.

*        Aspire (Synchro Skills): The Aspire team(s) will practice at least 2 days a week, and the team fees will also include Learn-To-Skate classes at the Webster ice rink for the classes designated by the team coaches.

*        Formation Team.  The Formation team will practice 1 day a week, and the team fees will also include Learn-To-Skate classes at the Webster ice rink for the classes designated by the team coaches.

*        End of Season.  The season typically ends late February/early March, subject to extension pursuant to special circumstances (such as attending ISI Champs or USFS Worlds) and additional payments related thereto. 

      The skating schedule for the season will be posted on the website page for each team.  All times are subject to change.  It is the athletes’ and parents’ responsibility to be aware of any changes posted on the team’s calendar on the website, or through an e-mail from the team manager or the coach.   The teams will have on-ice practices and off-ice practices.  Some teams will have additional days during the week for extra off-ice practice time.  Off-ice practice times may consist of walk-throughs, team building, strength training/cardio workouts, ballet, and/or other types of classes or activities determined to be beneficial to the athletes by the coaches.  All athletes are required to attend all off-ice and on-ice practices.     

Individual Practice.  Athletes are responsible for maintaining, practicing and improving their individual skating skills each week.  This includes 2-3 hours of practice outside of lessons and synchro time.  Athletes are responsible for recognizing a skill for which they need additional practice time (over and above team practice time), and for seeking out the assistance needed.  All athletes are expected to be taking private lessons (with those on the formation teams encouraged, but not required, to take private lessons).   All athletes should be actively working on and testing their Moves In the Field.

  ALL PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY. IF AN ATHLETE ABSOLUTELY HAS TO MISS A PRACTICE,
PLEASE USE THIS FORM AND OBTAIN PERMISSION IN ADVANCE.

PRACTICE ETIQUETTE AND ATTIRE 

  All athletes are expected to Practice with a Purpose.  Every practice should be taken seriously.  Athletes should arrive with enough time to warm-up off ice and be ready to enter the rink five minutes prior to on-ice start times.  Generally practice sessions are closed unless otherwise designated by the coach.   

General Rules for Practice Attire:

*        Hair.  Hair must be pulled up neatly, off the face, and for female athletes, into a bun. 

*        Accessories.  No gum or fake nails and absolutely no jewelry or bobby pins are to be worn during practice for the safety of the athletes.  Use of hand warmers must be done in a way so there is no danger of them falling on the ice and causing a safety issue.

*        Off-Ice Footwear.  Athletes must wear lace-up (or Velcro), full-footed tennis shoes to every practice.   Athletes not wearing the proper footwear will not be allowed to participate in off-ice practice and will be counted as absent from that practice.

 *        Apparel for females should consist of solid black leggings (must be fitted through the ankle or fit over the heel of skate) and a fitted solid black shirt or tank depending on team level. Apparel for males should consist of solid black skating pants and a fitted solid black shirt. All skaters can wear Synergy half-zip, Nationals jacket or Synergy/MEFSC fleece jacket depending on team level and at discretion of coaches. The fleece jacket will be available for purchase through a group order each summer. The leggings, skating pants and shirts may be purchased anywhere.

COMPETITIONS 

The competition schedule will be in the Annual Synergy Update.  In addition, there may be exhibitions added during the season.   

Getting to the Competition:  For out of town competitions, the Developmental and Qualifying teams will travel together by bus or by any other economical method deemed best by the Synchronized Skating Directors.  Only athletes, chaperones, managers and coaches will be allowed on their team’s bus.  Aspire teams will travel and stay in the team hotel with their own families.

  Absence from School:  All team members are required to travel with the team, and all of their equipment must travel with the team.  Out of town travel requires our athletes to be absent from school.  We will do everything in our power to minimize the absent days.  Most out of town competitions require our teams to leave early Friday morning and return late Saturday night or Sunday.  A few competitions, specifically Midwestern Sectionals, require our teams to leave on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Skater Alcohol and Tobacco Use/Abuse Policy  (click on link to read the policy)     

GEAR & APPAREL

Go Figure: Skate fitting, sharpening, all manner of tights and skating apparel are available in this store in Webster Groves.

Embroider the Occasion: Located in downtown Old Webster Groves, this store handles all the teams’ embroidery needs.

The LineUp. Synergy team skaters that travel out of town are required to own at least 1 pair of LineUp leggings with our logo. THese leggings are ordered via each team in the summer months. Skaters may also wear these to regular practices however they are expected to keep them in good condition to wear to competitions as well.