Skate Ontario is so proud to share the very first article in our SkateOntaReporter series. SkateOntaReporters are a team of writers who serve as the on-the-ground eyes and ears of local figure skating in every corner of Ontario, working to uncover stories and to provide insights and information to fans across the province. We hope you enjoy this article!

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By: Selin Ulugbay

The 2024-2025 competition season is quickly approaching, with many athletes finishing up their choreography and getting ready to compete in this new season. While planning what skating events you want to catch this season, here are the top 10 reasons why you can’t miss Synchronized Skating, and why to put it on your watch list!

Canadian synchro teams are dominating world podiums

Canada is home to some of the world’s best Synchro teams including, but definitely not limited to, Burlington, Ontario’s NEXXICE, holders of two Senior World Titles, as well as Les Suprêmes from Quebec, who last season set a world record for being the first team to win three world titles in a row! In the past, Canadian synchro teams have done entire podium sweeps at international competitions. It is important to support these highly successful teams that represent our country with pride.

Photo Credit: Nexxice.ca

Synchro elements are unique and fascinating

Synchro has many unique elements like travelling circles and wheels, pivot blocks and no-hold blocks, unique twizzle elements and group lifts that you won’t be able to find anywhere else, and they’re truly as spectacular as they sound.

Photo Credit: Nexxice.ca

Synchro combines your favourite features from every discipline  

Death spirals, jumps, choreographic step sequences, spins, twizzles…Synchro has them all! It’s a perfect blend of every other discipline in skating. Plus the organization and cohesion it takes for 16 skaters to do these difficult skills at the exact same time in perfect synch is amazing to see. Which brings me to my next point:  

NEXXICE

It’s impressive and mesmerizing to watch 16 skaters move in unison

“Together in one heartbeat” is a perfect quote to describe synchronized skating. The precision it takes to coordinate with 15 other people on the ice is impeccable, and they make it look easy.  

Photo Credit: Nexxice.ca

All of Canada’s top skaters are raving about it

Nam Nguyen, Katelyn Osmond, Tessa Virtue and other amazing skaters have all expressed their interest in synchronized skating and shown respect for the discipline, and you will understand just what they mean when you watch for yourselves.

Gold Ice Junior

Synchro events are super lively!  

The crowd, atmosphere and energy of synchro events are simply unmatched. It’s like one big party with crowd dances and lots of cheering.

The synchro community is fantastic

The synchro community supports each other like no other. We bond over our love for discipline and sport, and you’ll feel the welcoming energy in every arena!

Synchro has a long history and has been developing for many years

Contrary to what some may believe, synchro is not new to figure skating at all! It was first performed over 60 years ago! The sport has come a long way and developed incredibly since then, and in recent years it has finally been put into the spotlight.

Gold Ice Junior

To support synchro at nationals

Last year, Skate Canada made the monumental decision to move Synchronized skating nationals to the Canadian National Skating Championships with all the other disciplines, one of the first skating governing bodies to do so. This has been greatly important to the sport as it is being recognized with all the other disciplines of the sport and gaining more viewers. Yet, there is still some way to go:

#Whynotsynchro2026

Despite everything I’ve previously mentioned, synchronized skating is NOT included in the Olympics. Members of the skating community have been advocating for #whynotsynchro for many years, as synchro deserves to be included in the most important/famous sporting event in the world. The more people support the community and watch synchronized skating, the more awareness the sport will have and it can be recognized and appreciated by all!

NEXXICE