HSC Skater Development Seminar Series
Our seminars are a key part of our training environment. We bring in top coaches and specialists to give skaters access to high-level instruction, new perspectives, and experiences beyond regular sessions.
From skating skills and jump technique to performance and mindset, each seminar is designed to support development at every level.
We’ve been proud to welcome presenters including American Ice Theatre, Anne Schelter, Meagan Duhamel, Bruno Marcotte, Kaetlyn Osmond, Paul Parkinson, Josée Boudreau, Jen Jackson, Keegan Messing, Nam Nguyen, and Gracie Gold, with more opportunities always being added.
New seminars will be shared here as they are confirmed.
Champions Circle Weekend May 29-31, 2026
Guest Coach: Karen Preston
Demonstrator: Tara Motahari
Champions Circle Weekend is a featured seminar event designed to give skaters access to high-level coaching and a variety of learning experiences across the weekend.
Karen Preston is an internationally recognized coach and presenter, with a distinguished background as a competitive skater at the national, world, and Olympic levels. Her own athletic experience brings a deep understanding of what it takes to train, compete, and perform under pressure.
Based out of the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, Karen coaches alongside some of the sport’s most respected names, including Brian Orser, working within a high-performance environment that develops world-class athletes.
As a coach, she has worked extensively with developing skaters as well as high-performance athletes on national and international pathways. She is known for building strong technical foundations, with a focus on edge quality, power, control, and overall skating skill that supports long-term success.
Karen has a proven ability to guide up-and-coming skaters through key stages of development, helping them progress with confidence and consistency toward higher levels of competition.
We’re really looking forward to having her on the ice with our skaters this May.
Special Guest Demonstrator – Tara Motahari
An exciting young talent to watch
11th place – 2026 Skate Canada Trophy (Novice Ladies)
SEMINAR REGISTRATION LINKS
Registration
2 day Seminar Special Price - HSC Home Club Skaters - Star 2+
FRIDAY SEMINAR ONLY Star 3+ skaters
SATURDAY SEMINAR ONLY Star 3+ skaters
Registration open to all clubs as of May 22, 2025
Limited spots available
WEEKEND DETAILS
Star 3+ Private / Semi-Private Lessons
(HSC Home Club Skaters)
Friday, May 29
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Dalhousie – Oulton-Stanish Centre
Families interested in private or semi-private lessons are asked to email halifaxskatingclub@gmail.com by May 22 to be added to the request list.
Please confirm with your coaching team before submitting the request for extra lessons
Cost:
$20 per hour of ice per skater
$35 per 15-minute lesson
Sharing lessons is encouraged, as availability is very limited.
Seminar Day 1
Friday, May 29
4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Centennial Arena
Skaters will be grouped into 2 levels once registration is complete
Group 1 Approx Star 1-Star 5
Group 2 - Star 6+ and Podium Pathways
Friday Tentative On Ice Schedule
4:05–4:45 PM
Group 1: Drills and Skills
4:45–5:30 PM
Group 2: Drills and Skills
5:30–5:40 PM
Flood
5:40–6:30 PM
Group 1: Toe Jumps
6:30–7:15 PM
Group 2: Toe Jumps
7:15–7:25 PM
Flood (if needed)
7:25–8:25 PM
Both Groups: Spins and Transitions
Off Ice - Craft Options
Seminar Day 2
Saturday, May 30
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dalhousie – Oulton-Stanish Centre
Skaters will be grouped into 2 levels once registration is complete
Group 1 Approx Star 1-Star 5
Group 2 - Star 6+ and Podium Pathways
Saturday Tentative On Ice Schedule
10:00–10:45 AM
Group 2: Drills and Skills
10:45–11:30 AM
Group 1: Drills and Skills
11:30–11:45 AM
Flood, if needed
11:45 AM–12:30 PM
Group 2: Edge Jumps
12:30–1:20 PM
Group 1: Edge Jumps
1:20–1:50 PM
Both Groups: Transitions and Spins
Off Ice - Craft Options
Craft Activities
During down time throughout the weekend, skaters will have the opportunity to take part in two meaningful craft activities. These activities are designed to help skaters reflect, encourage one another, and create something they can take home and use throughout the season.
“Open When…” Envelope Set
Skaters will create a small set of encouragement envelopes that they can open later when they need a boost.
Envelope examples may include - Open when you land a new jump, Open when you have a hard day, Open when you feel nervous, Open when you need confidence.
Inside the envelopes, skaters may include encouragement notes, affirmations, reminders, funny memories, goals, or kind words to themselves or their teammates.
Skate Bag Tag
Skaters will also create a personalized skate bag tag to keep with their skating bag.
They may decorate their tag with their name, a word for the season, personal goals, encouraging reminders, or team values. Word examples may include:
Brave, Trust Yourself, Strong, Keep Going, Passion, Joy
Evening
HSC Banquet - Details On Banquet Page
Atlantica Hotel
Sunday, May 31st
STARSkate Academy Group Sessions with Karen Preston (Bronze / Silver / Gold)
Regular session times
No additional cost for skaters already registered in Sunday sessions
STARSkate Academy skaters (HSC/BSC) not currently registered for Sunday sessions
may request to be added, pending availability, by emailing
halifaxskatingclub@gmail.com before Thursday, May 28 at 12:00 PM.
Standard buy-in rate applies.
Skate with an Olympian Day
Sunday, May 31st
CanSkate & Junior Academy Sessions
During regular session times
All CanSkate skaters, regardless of their registered day, are invited to
participate at no additional cost.
Thursday Teen Skaters REGISTER HERETHURSDAY CANSKATERS REGISTER HERE