Figure skating in UK how doez testing work?

Question

hey,

i jest started lessons about 6 weeks ago but i missed 2 lessons due 2 illness, i started as beginner and moved up 2 level4 UK SKate program NISA thing , ye lol. I aren't sure about competing what are age ranks and stuff in UNITED KINGDOM, i am 16 and would like tom compete in about a year , but am i 2 old 2 compet in UK, i look on internt but there only USA stuff, please help, i no i am bit old 2 compete olympics but testin an stuff how does that work, anyon that has done UK LEARN 2 SKTE proGRam if yew no how far have u guys got and what hapens after lefel 10?

Answer 1

After the SkateUK levels, you move onto your SkateUK Passport in Bronze, Silver and then Gold.  There are various pathways in the Passport - the two main ones being Freestyle Passport and Dance Passport  - if you want to do freestyle, then you would do the relevant Passport.  Like the SkateUK Levels 1-10, you are passed on these by your coach.  

After you have finished your Passport, you then move onto your NISA Levels.  A lot of the elements you do in the earlier levels you will have already covered, but you will have to test these in front of examiners / judges (3 I believe).  There are also various types of test - Elements, Freeskate, Compulsory Dance, Free Dance and Field Moves.  For example, if you wanted to concentrate on freestyle, you would test in your Elements, Freeskate and Field Moves.  Each type of test has 10 levels.  It can be a wee bit confusing though!

Finally, you are not too old to compete.  There are various competitions for all levels of skaters, both junior, and then once you get to 21, adult competitions.  Look for small open competitions held by clubs at the various rinks.  Put it this way, I am an older skater (31), working through my Passport and also on my NISA Level 1 Field Moves and Compulsory Dances and I will be competing later this year!   You will need to have completed your Passport to compete though for most, if not all of them.

Good luck!