OTTAWA, ON: Skate Canada is thrilled to announce the nine finalists for the Skate With Us National contest. Skate Canada was overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness and storytelling of all 106 entries.  It is a privilege to showcase the amazing talent of the skating community in Canada

To enter the contest, participants were asked to submit videos in one of three categories. Videos were judged based on creativity, an understanding of theme, overall presentation, and technical quality. The contest was created to showcase why you skate with us – no matter how you skate.

All the finalists’ entries have been posted to skatewithus.ca and individuals can now vote once per day for their favourite submissions. Voting will close on February 15, 2023 and the winning entries will be announced on February 18, 2023.

The Finalists

Skate Canada’s Got Talent

-off-ice talents-

Christopher Hammer
Club: Fliteway Skating Club
Section: AB/NT/NU
Title: Skate Canada’s Got Talent – Chris Hammer
Description: I am a competitive figure skater and a competitive hip hop dancer. In skating, I compete in junior men’s singles and novice pairs. In dance, I have competed in a number of different competitions and performances including the Kdays Talent Search, We Day, Singing Christmas Tree, Breakfast and Dinner Television, CTV, and more. Within this video, you will see some of the foundational styles of hip hop. The 3 styles shown are Animation, Locking, and Popping (in order).

Safiya Shujah
Club: South Windsor Skating Club
Section: ON
Title: STARSkater on the Ice: Star Baker off the Ice
Description: My video depicts my journey of starting my own baking business, while continuing to figure skate.

Matthew Yu
Club: Champs International Skating Centre of BC
Section: BC/YT
Title: Danzas Argentinas Op. 2 No. 3 (Ginastera), with a little Magic
Description: Music can open up our imagination and transform the world around us. In this video, I perform Danzas Argentinas Op. 2 No. 3 (by Alberto Ginastera), but with a little twist: as I play, the music gradually brings me to the skating rink!

Skate With Us
-personal stories and experiences with skating-

Jennifer Hortizano Bohn
Club: Creston Valley Figure Skating Club
Section: BC/YT
Title: Skate with Us
Description: A poem to reflect how I started skating, where I’ve been, and how I intend to continue.

Elizabeth Kenyon
Club: Skate Winnipeg
Section: MB
Title: I Am a Figure Skater
Description: In this video I reflect on my skating journey, my highlights, and challenges. I share how figure skating made me the person I am today.

Rena Wang
Club: Ice Palace Figure Skating Club
Section: AB/NT/NU
Title: A Rena’s Story in the Arena
Description: This video entry shows a small snippet of Rena’s skating journey so far where she shares her thoughts on figure skating and experiences with figure skating.

Club & Skating Schools
-something special about your club/school-

Minnedosa Skating Club
Submitted by: Jacquie Gerrard
Section: MB
Title: Where The Ice Is Our Home
Description: In 2020 when the world shut down something incredible happened in the small prairie town of Minnedosa, Manitoba. Our community came together to clear over 2km of skating trail around our lake. Although we couldn’t get together in our homes, we could see our friends and family on the ice. Since 2020 the Minnedosa Skating Club has seen tremendous growth in all our programs; CanSkate, Rising Stars and STARSkate. Skate WIth Us in Minnedosa – Where The Ice Is Our Home!

Montreal Silver Blades FSC
Submitted by: Stéphane Boutet
Section: QC
Title: We Are the Montréal Silver Blades (Adult Skating Club)
Description: We are the Montreal Silver Blades, a figure skating club catered exclusively to adults, but also, a community of adults who are passionate about their sport. In this short video, we give our members the floor to illustrate the importance of having dedicated skating spaces for adults, so that they can share their hopes and accomplishments. At the MSB, skating is for life! 

Prince George Figure Skating Club
Submitted by: Julia Shaddick
Section: BC/YT
Title: Together We Skate – PGFSC #skatewithus
Description: What makes PGFSC unique?  We don’t just train skaters, we foster friendships, celebrate individuality, and raise each other up.  We are more than a skating club; we are a community and family.  #skatewithus

Please visit skatewithus.ca to view all the finalists videos and make sure to vote for your favourite!

Best of luck to all the finalists as they compete for cash prizes and tickets to the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships®!

Skate Canada would like to sincerely thank all the participants. The skating community continues to inspire the work we do, with each entry brining uniqueness and creativity in their own authentic way. To further showcase the talent we have also given several of the entries an honourable mention and have featured those on skatewithus.ca for fans to view.