We welcome Kristen Avis as our new head coach. 

Kristen began her skating career at the Sandy Shores Skating Club at the age of six. She established herself in the sport with a competitive career spanning years of provincial, divisional, and national championships, training in both Parksville and Burnaby. She acquired her 6th figure test, Gold skills, Gold dances, Gold freeskate and Senior Competitive freeskate test.

In 1998 she won the Canadian National championships in Pre-Novice ladies and was the Novice ladies national champion the following year. She was the British Columbia senior ladies champion and was nominated for the BC Premier’s Athletic Award. As part of the junior national team, she represented Canada on the Grand Prix circuit and North American Challenge series.

After finishing her competitive career at the 2004 national championships she began her coaching career at Burnaby 8-rinks in 2005. She is Skate Canada level 3 trained/level 2 certified with over 15 years coaching experience in both BC and Australia.

Kristen specializes in the technical aspect of the sport and strives to develop quality skating skills including speed, power and aesthetic body lines in her students. She aims to make the sport fun and fulfilling for her students while helping them strive to achieve personal goals and excellence. She is passionate about a healthy skating/life balance and aims to produce a well rounded athlete both on and off the ice. Kristen has a BA in Sociology and enjoys hiking and getting out in nature with her family.

Program assistants are an important component to any successful CanSkate program. Thank you Anna and Raylene. The role of the program assistant (PA) will vary depending on the unique needs and dynamics of a club but all duties involve assisting the Skate Canada coach in the delivery of the program. The responsibilities of a PA may include: 

• Assist the Skate Canada coach in delivering the program on‐ice and off‐ice.

• Demonstrate skills and teaching progressions. 

• Supervise practice sessions. 

• Lead warm‐ups and cool‐downs under the direction of the Skate Canada coach.

• Reinforce learned skills (follow‐up on coach instruction) 

• Lead circuits, drills, group activities.

• Distribute awards (stickers, badges, etc.).

• Take attendance. 

• Be a role model for young skaters.