By: Valya Roberts

Any viewer of figure skating, especially Ice Dance, will often hear the term ‘edges;’ the inside or outside of the blade ‘edge’ which allows skaters to glide, curve, turn and even spin and jump. It is one of the most fundamental skills that begins in Canskate, a learn to skate program (for all ages) that historically started in Ontario. Listening to any broadcasters during competitions there will often be commentary about certain skaters’ depth of edge, especially in Ice Dance.

Skate Ontario alumni and former Canadian and Olympic champions Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue were well known within the Ice Dance world for their ‘deep’ edges. Patrick Chan, another Skate Ontario alumni and men’s Canadian champion, was also known for his deep edges and extraordinary edge mastery.

In addition to Ice Dance, synchronized skating is another aspect of figure skating that requires good edges. Adult Skate Ontario Synchro skater with Steel City Synchro A3 Cari Mclean explains that in synchro skating one of the key skills is having strong edges “edges are the foundation of synchronized skating, ensuring control, speed and flow and cohesive teamwork, all of which are essential for both the technical and artistic components of the sport.”

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But did you know that having good deep edges doesn’t just help you succeed in Figure skating – but other ice sports like hockey and speed skating?

NHL hockey player Jeff Skinner, currently with the Edmonton Oilers, is well known for his edge skills in hockey. Jeff was a competitive figure skater in Ontario till the age of thirteen. Bryce Davison, another Olympian, and Skate Ontario alumni, was a competitive hockey player in his teens as well.

Ivanie Blondin from Ottawa who is a World and Olympic champion in Speed Skating, started ice skating with CanSkate at the Gloucester Skating Club. According to Ivanie “I think everyone should start with figure skating as it helps to feel their edges in the ice.”

It is also never too late to pursue your passion for figure skating. The CanSkate program is for all ages, and it is taught by NCCP professional coaches, assisted by trained program assistants. So, no matter your age, if you wish to pursue your dream of gliding over the ice in figure skating, hockey or even speed skating, check out this link for more information on the CanSkate programs near you: https://skateontario.org/programs/canskate/

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Valya is a Skate Ontario reporter, serial skating fan, avid traveller, and an Executive director of a Social Service agency.