Rocket Ice Arena’s STARFIRE Synchronized Skating program has been in existence since September 2000.  The purpose of the STARFIRE program at Rocket Ice Arena is to provide skaters with the opportunity to participate at a competitive level in the ever-growing sport of Synchronized Skating.  We strive to provide a quality program that fields competitive teams, improves individual skating, enhances self confidence and performance technique through both on-ice and off-ice practice.  The STARFIRE program stresses Good Sportsmanship, Cooperation, Leadership and Community Awareness through the competitive experience and service projects.  We sincerely hope the friendships made through STARFIRE  will last a lifetime.  Our Synchronized Skating Teams have done very well in competition during the short time we have offered a Synchronized Skating Program at Rocket Ice as evidenced by our overflowing Trophy Shelf in the rink office.  Rocket Ice is very proud of the accomplishments of its teams.

WHAT IS A SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TEAM?

A Synchronized Skating team is a group of 8 to 24 skaters who learn, practice and perform together a specifically choreographed routine set to music at either USFSA (United States Figure Skating Association) and/or ISI (Ice Skating Institute - www.skateisi.org) competitions.  These choreographed routines consist of lines, blocks, circles, pinwheels and intersections which incorporate forward and backward skating, footwork, turns and edges to complement the theme of their music.  Synchronized Skating Teams strive to execute these maneuvers with power, speed, grace, finesse and most important of all unison.  There are basically two types of Synchronized Skating Teams:

SYNCHRONIZED FORMATION ~ At this level the emphasis is on learning good Unison, good Basic Skating Technique, Presentation Skills  and the Neatness and Correctness of the geometric shapes formed by the skaters during the routine.

SYNCHRONIZED SKATING ~ At the Synchronized Skating level, Unison is still the number one objective but added to this, the teams are expected to perform with significant  Speed and Power and include Intricate Footwork, Technically Difficult Formations and Smooth Transitions from one formation to the next.