When do I find out my event schedule?
Usually, your club will get a mailing from the host club about 7-10 days before the competition. This mailing will list your event day and times, and other necessary information. It won't help to call earlier than that, since the organizers can't make up a firm schedule until they have all the entries and go through a huge scheduling effort to make it all work. They'll mail it as soon as they know it’s a solid schedule.

Who will you compete against?
You will compete against other skaters of approximately similar experience. You may or may not be competing against skaters of similar age. The basic separation is by test level. This means you will be competing against other skaters who have tested "no further" than you have. Many competitions allow skaters to "skate up" one level (skate in a level that is one test more difficult than they have actually passed), but no competition will let skaters skate in a level below where they have passed.

 Of course, even within a test level, you will find people of widely varying experience and ability.

Generally, you will skate in a group of no more than 8 or 9 skaters. Most competitions try to schedule so that this can happen. If there are substantially more than 8 people entered in a single event, they will break up the group into separate "flights", which will then be considered completely separate events and medals will be awarded in each flight. Sometimes the flights are grouped according to the skater's ages but not always. It depends on the competition.

Music Tapes
Most competitions expect you to bring your music on standard audio cassette tapes or on cd. The competition announcement will give you specific instructions. You must bring 2 copies of your tape or cd. Be sure to rewind the tapes! Submit the tapes labeled with your name and club at the registration desk. Most competitions take two tapes but if only one is requested have the spare readily available in case of technical difficulties.

Dress
At higher levels, competitors will have special custom skating outfits for each event. At beginning levels, boys may be very appropriately dressed in dark pants, shirt, and turtleneck or sweater. Girls may be in a simple skating dress. Dresses should be age appropriate. Warm-up suits or windsuits should not be worn during the competition. Clean, preferably white, gloves may be worn during warm-ups, but should never be worn during the competition. Warm-up jackets or neat sweaters (not sweatshirts!) are appropriate during the warm-up, but should be removed for competition (remember that pullover sweaters may muss the hair when removed).

Skates should be cleaned and polished for every competition. They should have been checked to see if a sharpening is necessary about a week before the competition to allow time to wear the edge in. Make sure your laces are in good shape before you get to the rink -- old laces tend to break at the most inconvenient times!

Hair should be neat and tidy. Professional styles are not necessary. Often simple is the best. Bobby pins, scrunchies, rubber bands, etc, if used should be very securely placed. These items present a hazard to skaters if they should fall off and lay on the ice.

Some skaters bring a "backup" outfit to every competition. Emergencies do happen. Girls should at least bring a spare pair of tights, and all skaters should have spare laces available.

When should you arrive at the Arena?
You should expect to check in at least an hour before your scheduled event time. When you get to the rink, there will be a "check-in" table somewhere near the entry. You must go to that table and say your name and event. They will find your name on their list and "log you in". If your event requires music, you should give them your tapes at this time. A dressing room assignment will be given at this time. A particular room is assigned for each event. You should use only the room assigned to you as this is where the organizers will expect to find all the competitors for any given event. You will be checked in again at the room. You can watch other events until its time for you to get dressed. You can leave your clothes and skating bags in that room while you're competing. As always it is not wise to leave any valuables.

Skating Order
The skating order will be posted on a convenient wall somewhere around the "concourse" of the rink. When you first arrive you can ask the people at the registration desk where the skating orders are posted. You will find a sheet for each of your events that will list all the competitors in the order in which they will skate. It will NOT be the same as the order printed in the program booklet (which is usually just alphabetic).

When should you get dressed? / get on the ice?
Again, your Coach may tell you their own special expectations. However, the general rule is that you should be fully dressed, with skates on and ready to check in when the flight before yours actually "takes the ice". Usually there will be an Ice Monitor table somewhere near the skater's "entry door" to the ice. You should go to this table with your Coach and tell them who you are and that you are "ready". Then remain in this area... The Ice Monitor will tell you when its time for your flight's warm-up.

Generally, you should say your "good-byes" to your parents up in the bleachers, then report to the Ice Monitor along with your Coach. The Coach will stay with you up to and during your event. Your parents should not.

Don't forget to make a bathroom stop before you report to the Ice Monitor!

What's a Warm-up?
The "Warm-up" is a short opportunity (usually about 4 minutes) for you to get out on the ice and warm up your muscles before you compete. Your Coach may have a few specific things for you to work on during this time, but in general you should use it to stroke around and loosen your muscles. Do a couple jumps and spins to get a feel for the ice quality. The judges will not be judging your activities during this period, although some will watch to help them get a general feel for the "level" of skating that they will see in the group.

They will make an announcement when you have 1 minute left in the warm-up, then tell you to leave the ice when its over. Don't go too far and try to keep your muscles warm and loose. If you choose to watch the other competitors you may do so.

Your "Skate"
When it is your turn, the Ice Monitor will give you instructions to go on the ice. If this is a competition with music, they will start it as soon as they know that both you and the judges are ready. If your program is not done to music, you should wait until they announce something like "you may begin".

Take a deep breath, relax, and skate your best...

When you are done, take your bows then skate off the ice!

Results
Usually it will take about 30-60 minutes for results to be posted. You will generally find them posted in the same place where the skating orders were. The result sheet shows your final position, and shows the ordinal (position) marking that each of the judges gave you. Some competitions provide a copy of the results in the envelope with your music tapes however sometimes you must purchase copies of the results sheet for about $.25 at the registration desk. A copy of these results should be given to your home club Competition Chairman for club statistics. Music tapes must be retrieved from the front desk after the results are posted.

Medals, Ribbons
Usually if you are in the top 3 positions you will receive a medal of some sort. They will usually have award ceremonies scheduled periodically during the competition to award these medals. If you have earned a medal, you should check to see when the award ceremony is. You will be expected to be in your skating outfit and skates.

Competition Conduct
Be a good sport.  Remember that every child competing is special to someone.  They ALL deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. Be willing to recognize other skaters graciously. When someone else is skating in a competition, don’t walk back and forth in the bleachers, don’t be noisy or disruptive. Never destructively criticize another skater, judge or coach, especially in front of others.

 A child must never feel their worth depends on a winning a medal. As in life, your child will win a few, and lose a few.  The important things for them to learn are how to handle pressure and how to be a good sport.

Just remember that you're doing this for fun, so go out there, show off a little, and enjoy the experience. Do your best job, but always remember to keep an even perspective on the day... Parents, too, remember how much courage it takes to get out there all alone on that huge sheet of ice in front of all those people. Make sure your child knows about that fluttery feeling of pride you feel in your chest when you see them out there