Alex Sergueev feels this is an important season for the Glengarry Figure Skating Club.
Sergueev entered last season as the new coach striving to rebuild. This year is about taking steps forward. Helping make that happen are skaters challenging themselves to get better.
“They are moving up to the next level,” said Sergueev, who has some skaters advancing from the elementary level. “It will not be easy for them to compete.”
This season skaters will participate in four events, with the first being in Winfield on Dec. 3. Penticton’s Ogopogo Freeskate follows on Feb. 10, then on March 2 is a trip to Armstrong for regional qualifying. The final competition is at the end of March in Surrey. The club will also have its Christmas recital and year-end show.
As Sergueev hopes to build on last year, he is also taking on a larger workload, which includes working with CanSkaters and taking over the Tiny Tots program. That was run by the city, who approached the club for assistance. Sergueev is in charge of that coaching staff. He also runs a power skating program for hockey players on Thursday evenings.
As for members, initially it appeared there would be less for the CanSkate program. The re-opening of the pool attracted kids to enroll for swimming lessons and the South Okanagan Youth Soccer Association has programs going until December.
Membership numbers are starting to equal out, however, and Sergueev still has hope they will have 100 kids. In senior intermediate, the club has eight skaters. The club has also added new coaches.