(May 4, 2007)

Twenty up-and-coming young skaters are in Ottawa this weekend to participate in the 2007 Skate Canada National Youth Camp, presented by HomeSense.

The event, which takes place today and tomorrow, will feature 20 athletes from across the country, ranging from the ages of 9 – 11 years. All participants competed in one of the 13 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Sectional Championships last season, and are committed to competing in the same discipline in the 2007-2008 season.

The 2007 Skate Canada National Youth Camp got underway this morning at a downtown Ottawa hotel with breakfast and a presentation on the history of skating.. Participants then headed to Skate Canada’s national office on Shefford Road for a tour of the building and to meet the Skate Canada staff.

The camp got underway with a presentation by Anne Schelter on the history of skating
Young skaters, their parents and coaches visited Skate Canada’s national office

Various seminars on topics including technical training, dance movement and theatre begin this afternoon at the University of Ottawa Sports Complex and continue all day tomorrow. The young athletes will have expert guidance from many respected figures in the skating world including Anne Schelter, a respected expert in edges and choreography, and 2007 Canadian silver medallist Christopher Mabee, Olympian Debbi Wilkes, former national team athletes Norm Proft and Rob Davison, and well-known coach Louis Stong.

More pictures and stories coming soon.