River Heights Figure Skating Club

The River Heights Figure Skating Club (RHFSC) was established in 1980,and was one of the founding member clubs of the Twin Cities Figure Skating Association. TCFSC is a United States Figure Skating-affiliated club. The Club is a non-profit organization.

HISTORY

The Tri-County Figure Skating Club (TCFSC) was established in 1980, and was one of the founding member clubs of the Twin Cities Figure Skating Association. TCFSC is a United States Figure Skating-affiliated club. The Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the instruction, practice, and advancement of figure skating. The club serves skaters from Dakota, Rice, and Scott counties. Our home rink is the Veterans Memorial Community Center in Inver Grove Heights. March 2012 brought a name change to be River Heights Figure Skating Club.


MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Senior Club Member - Generally reserved for more experienced or advanced skaters who work individually with a private coach during club ice sessions. Skaters contract for ice and make their own arrangements for instruction with a certified club coach.

Junior Club Member - An introductory club membership designed for skaters new to club skating and/or for those with less advanced skating skills. Skaters contract for club ice and receive a small group lesson with a club coach and individual practice time during each session. Coaching is included in the session fee. Skaters must have passed USFS Basic 4 level or its equivalent to join at this level.

Mini Junior Club Member - Similar to Junior Club, designed for our youngest members. USFS Basic 2 level is required.

Associate Member - This is intended for skaters who are already a member of another USFS Club (their "home" club), and who wish to contract for our ice at a reduced rate. This does not apply to skaters who have only a Basic Skills membership with USFS through a USFS Basic Skills program.

Non-Member - Any skater who does not have a membership in the River Heights Figure Skating Club.

BENEFITS OF CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Club members can contract for ice at a reduced rate, participate in USFS test sessions and qualifying and non-qualifying competitions, perform in annual ice shows/exhibitions, receive individual skating instruction from highly qualified certified coaches, proudly wear club apparel, receive a complimentary subscription to SKATING magazine, receive coverage under USFS sports accident insurance policy, and have the opportunity to one day represent the United States as a member of the USFS World or Olympic team!

Club membership is renewed on a annual basis. The membership fee covers the skater's membership in not only the River Heights Figure Skating Club, but also in the United States Figure Skating Association, the Twin Cities Figure Skating Association.

TESTING

Figure skating in the U.S. can be either competitive or recreational, and those learning to skate can choose either route. While competitive skaters are required to participate in the U.S. testing structure to eventually compete in qualifying competitions, recreational skaters can also opt to take tests in order to continually challenge themselves and their abilities. Test sessions are held by USFS figure skating clubs and there is a fee charged per test. Test elements or programs are skated in front of USFS judges who mark the test as "pass" or "retry."
There are several classes of tests in the U.S. Figure Skating structure. These include: 1) Moves in the Field, 2) Free Skate (or Free skating), 3) Pairs, 4) Compulsory Dance, and 5) Free Dance. Test levels for Moves in the Field and Free Skate include the following: 1) Pre-Preliminary, 2) Preliminary, 3) Pre-Juvenile, 4) Juvenile, 5) Intermediate, 6) Novice, 7) Junior, and 8) Senior. Skaters work their way up through tests sequentially. Olympic-level skaters have passed their senior level Moves in the Field and Free skate tests!

COMPETITIONS

Qualifying competitions are those competitions that ultimately lead a skater to the U.S. Junior Championships (for Juvenile and Intemediate skaters) or the U.S. Championships (for Novice, Junior, & Senior skaters), and include regional and sectional championships. Non-qualifying competitions are USFS-sanctioned competitions that are generally hosted by a skating club and do not lead to nationals. Competitions may include Basic Skills, Test Track, and standard track events. Basic Skills competitions incorporate moves from the Basic Skills Program into a competition format that is open to all beginner skaters who are registered members in a U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills program. The test track is a newer event for all nonqualifying competitions that limits the difficulty of skating elements performed in each level to encourage skaters to compete. Events offered at non-qualifying competitions may include compulsory (or elements) events, free skate, and artistic events at levels ranging from beginner to senior, based on tests passed. Awards are generally given to all skaters at the lower levels, and to the top finishers at the higher levels.

ICE SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS

The River Heights Figure Skating Club hosts two ice shows each year in order to provide our skaters with opportunities to showcase their skills for family, friends, and the community. Usually the shows include a Holiday show in December and a Spring Exhibition in March. Skaters are encouraged to participate in solos and group performancs.