The Sandy Shores Skating Club continues to overcome challenges.
The group has been trying to revive its membership to the level that it enjoyed prior to COVID. According to Robynne Shaw, SSSC president, just when they're making some inroads towards their recovery, their progress gets impeded by unfortunate circumstances.
Last year, Sandy Shores had a glimmer of hope when they hired a head coach, Kristen Avis, a former member of the club. Unfortunately, Shaw said, Avis had to leave the club and went back to Australia.
"We were left last-minute trying to find another coach and so forth," said Shaw, who added Avis plans to return to the club and move to Parksville Qualicum Beach for good.
Shaw said it was a tough situation and that she was extremely close to just throwing in the towel. However, she could not in good conscience shut down the club again and have to restart. They were able to again find help from a former Sandy Shores member, Bobbi Branvender, who agreed to take over the vacant head coaching position for a year until Avis returns. Shaw said Bravender helped salvage the season.
"Thank God for Bobbi stepping in," said Shaw. "We made a commitment at the end of last year when we knew that Kristen was leaving that we were going to do whatever we have to do keep this club moving."
Bravender said that Sandy Shores Skating Club was a significant part of her years growing up. And because of her deep connection to club, she didn't hesitate to extend a helping hand.
"I grew up skating at the club and I want to see it continue and succeed," said Bravender, who used to coach at Sicamous, Port Alberni and Parksville. "It was a huge part of the community when I skated. It was a big club back then. So I'd like to see it continue to grow and be successful and maybe we can have some competitive skaters and stuff like that."
The club has just started their season. At present, Shaw said, they're still looking for more members.
"We're about in the same position as last season, unfortunately," said Shaw. "The club will lose money this year but it's something that we have to do to keep the progression and to keep people interested and enticed."
Shaw wants people to know about the quality of their programs and also to give them a better perspective of what they're offering.
"We're not bringing you in to necessarily be a figure skater," said Shaw. "We just want to teach you something that you can do and you can enjoy for your entire life. It's great as a recreational activity and everything you can hope for as far as being active and healthy. As much as we love to have competitive figure skaters, and we do have some of them who are just starting to compete this year, it's a lifestyle thing. We have adult skaters that come in. All our program assistants are adults who used to be skaters or coaches which is great. Now they're going to come back and they're going to skate on the ice once a week. So you can see that profession from starting in CanSkate, to making it a lifestyle and coming back when you're an adult to just get on the ice and have fun."
To promote the sport, the club is using events such as the Skate Canada Vancouver Island Region seminar conducted by Kaetlyn Osmond, a world champion and Olympic medallist, and her coach Ravi Walia who they just hosted; and the upcoming BC Section Championships.
"We're really lucky to have these events," said Shaw. "They give people an opportunity to what the product is and what there is that their kids might be interested in taking part in."
The club is still accepting new members. If you want to register, you can go on their website, www.sandyshoresskatingclub.ca or email the registrar at ssscregistrar@gmail.com
"it's fun sport," said Shaw. "And it's so Canadian."
