Team Levels at Arctic Edge Unity
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Arctic Edge Unity fields a variety of competitive teams to accommodate skaters of all ages and experience levels the House, Club, Travel, and Adult Levels. Skaters are placed on teams every season based on a variety of factors including age, skill and test level. Skaters of all skating backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to participate. Synchronized skating routines frequently combine many components of freestyle, ice dance and pairs in conjunction with the shapes, speed and precision the discipline is known for!
house Teams at aeu
General Ages: 4-16 years
Great For: Introductory and Beginner Synchro Skaters
View/download the 25-26 House Team Info Sheet HERE
House teams at AEU are based on the content of the USFS Learn-to-Skate Synchro Course Material. These teams are a space for skaters to learn the basics of synchronized skating, meet new friends, and experience the excitement of performance as a group. These teams are an inclusive, recreation-focused environment for introductory and beginner skaters to participate in the fun and community of synchronized skating with a smaller time commitment, shorter season, and lower cost than competitive teams.
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HOUSE TEAMS GENERAL INFO:
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The House Team season/sessions generally run from October thru February of each year.
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House team registration will generally open April 1 annually and run through September 30 before beginning of season in October (skaters do not have to participate in team placement to participate, but must have an active US Figure Skating membership either through a Learn-to-Skate program or a Figure Skating Club).
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House teams will perform 1-3 times locally and may have up to one (1) local competitive opportunity in February of each year.
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HOUSE 1 LEVEL - Ages 4-9 years old: Minimum Level for Success: Skaters should feel comfortable with forward skating/gliding and pumping (USFS Basic 1+ Equivalent). Higher level skills welcome.
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HOUSE 2 LEVEL - Ages 10-16 years old: Minimum Level for Success: Skaters should feel comfortable with forward skating/gliding, forward pumping and one-foot gliding. Some comfort with backwards skating recommended (USFS Basic 3+ Equivalent). Higher level skills welcome.
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club Teams at aeu
General Ages: 5-16 years
Great For: Beginner, Advanced Beginner, and Developmental Skaters
View/download the 25-26 Club Team Info Sheet HERE
Club teams at AEU are encompassed by the Aspire 1-4 US Figure Skating pipeline in conjunction with Learn-to-Skate USA. These teams are a space for skaters to ignite their competitive spirit and have FUN in conjunction with their individual skating. These teams are ideal for skaters who enjoy skating and synchro and want to master the skill and mental fundamentals of the sport to its own end or in an effort to progress to increasingly competitive opportunities in the future.
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CLUB TEAMS GENERAL INFO:
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During the regular season (Mid August thru Feb), club teams generally train one time per week. Some spring/summer skill development opportunities and practices may be scheduled but are not considered "regular season" training.
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Skaters join club teams during the AEU Annual Team Placement Sessions each spring. If/when additional positions are available at these levels, skaters can be added to club team rosters throughout Spring/Summer through attendance at a skills session, a private tryout, or an evaluation by an AEU coach during a skater's Learn-to-Skate class or private lesson.
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Skaters on AEU Club Teams generally skate at least 1-3 times per week outside of synchronized skating to work on individual skills (this could be in their regular group skating class, with a private coach, open skating, etc).
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Club teams usually compete and perform 5-7 times per season between the months of October and February. Most performances are local (~20 mins) with 1-2 longer distance events within local/regional vicinity (~1-2.5 hours driving distance)
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CLUB 1 LEVELS - USFS Aspire 1 and/or 2 Levels
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Recommended Requirement for Success: Passed a Learn-to-Skate Basic 4 class through a Pre-Preliminary Individual Skating Skills Test.
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Skaters at this level are a mix of group class skaters and private lesson skaters with many either beginning or pursuing private lessons throughout or during the course of the season.
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CLUB 2 LEVELS - USFS Aspire 3 and/or 4 Levels
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Recommended Requirement for Success: Pre-Preliminary or Preliminary Skating Skills Test (If in Learn-to-Skate USA, passed a Free Skate 2 class or equivalent)
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Skaters at this level are recommended to be in regular lessons with a private skating instructor (either in place of or in addition to Learn-to-Skate USA group classes)
TRAVEL Teams at aeu
General Ages: 8-18
Great For: Developmental, Advanced Developmental, and Elite Skaters
View/download the 25-26 Travel Team Info Sheet HERE
Travel teams at AEU are encompassed by the competitive Preliminary thru Junior US Figure Skating Synchronized pipeline. These teams are a space for skaters to hone and enhance their mastery of basic synchronized skating skills in a high accountability, high performance environment. These teams are ideal for skaters who view (or have begun to view) skating or synchro as their primary athletic focus and, through consistent personal focus and effort, want to develop the nuanced and more complex mental and physical skating and synchro skills needed for elite opportunities with their teammates in high school, college and beyond.
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TRAVEL TEAMS GENERAL INFO:
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Travel teams generally train 1-2 times per week during Spring/Summer training (they take the month of July off) and between 1-3 times per week during the regular season (Sept. thru Feb.)
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Skaters join travel teams during the AEU Annual Team Placement Sessions each spring. Limited available positions after rosters have been set can be filled by skaters during spring/early summer via private or virtual auditions (contact ArcticSynchro@gmail.com).
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Skaters on AEU Travel Teams generally skate 2-4 times per week outside of synchronized skating to work on individual skills on their own and with their private coach.
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Travel teams usually compete and perform 6-9 times per season between the months of October and February. Majority performances are local vicinity or regional (~15 minute - 2.5 hour drive) and up to two (2) events may be longer distance, requiring long distance bus or air travel and between a 2-4 night hotel stay.​
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TRAVEL 1 LEVEL - USFS Preliminary Level
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Minimum Requirement for Consideration: Preliminary Skating Skills Test
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Recommended Requirement for Success: Pre-Bronze, Bronze, or Pre-Silver Skating Skills Test
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TRAVEL 2 LEVELS - USFS Pre-Juvenile and/or Juvenile Levels
Final division selection (Pre-Juvenile and/or Juvenile) will be determined each spring based on competitive success factors (pool age, eligible number of skaters, overall skill level, experience of the team, etc).
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Minimum Requirement for Consideration: Pre-Bronze Skating Skills Test
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Recommended Requirement for Success: Bronze, Pre-Silver, or Silver Skating Skills Test. Experience with Preliminary or higher Ice Dance or Freestyle/Singles Testing Recommended.
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TRAVEL 3 LEVELS - USFS Intermediate and/or Novice Levels
Final division selection (Intermediate and/or Novice) will be determined each spring based on competitive success factors (pool age, eligible number of skaters, overall skill level, experience of the team, etc).
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Minimum Requirement for Consideration: Pre-Silver Skating Skills Test*
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Recommended Requirement for Success: Silver, Pre-Gold, or Gold Skating Skills Test Passed. Experience with Bronze or higher Ice Dance or Freestyle/Singles Testing Recommended.
*Note - Skaters new to synchronized skating AND/OR under age 14 as of July 1 are recommended to be working on or passed a Pre-Gold or Gold Skating Skills Test for the Travel 3 category
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TRAVEL ELITE LEVEL - USFS Junior Level
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Minimum Team Requirement: Pre-Gold Skating Skills Test, Aged 13 years and Older
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Recommended Requirement for Success: Gold Skating Skills Test. Experience with Pre-Silver or higher Ice Dance or Freestyle/Singles Testing Recommended.
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adult Teams at aeu
General Ages: 18-60+
Great For: Adult Aged Skaters - New, Continuing, and returning Adult Skaters of all experience and skill levels
View/download the 24-25 Adult Teams Info Sheet HERE
Adult-aged teams are a space for adult skaters to build their technical skills, make new social connections, and showcase their love of skating through performance. Adult skating at AEU is designed to accommodate both competitive and recreational skaters, either those continual adult skaters, adults newer to skating, or childhood skaters returning to the ice or transitioning into adult skating.
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ADULT TEAMS GENERAL INFO:
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During the regular season (Mid August thru Feb), adult teams generally train one time per week.
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Skaters join adult teams during our Spring/Summer Adult Skills Placement Sessions. Once team designations are set, skaters can be added to adult team rosters throughout Summer through attendance at a skills session or a private evaluation.
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Skaters on AEU Adult Teams generally skate at least 1 time per week outside of synchronized skating (either on their own or with a private coach/group class).
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Adult teams usually compete and perform 5-7 times per season between the months of November and February. Most performances are local (Under ~1 hour) and will also have 1-2 events that require some regional travel (~1.5-3 hour drive and/or 1 larger travel event in the Midwestern section).
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USFS MASTERS AND OPEN MASTERS LEVELS
Ages 25 and older
No minimum test requirement. Recommended requirement for safety/success: Adult Bronze or Standard Track Preliminary Skating Skills (equivalent test and/or skills).
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USFS ADULT & OPEN ADULT
Ages 18 and Older
Minimum test requirement: Adult Bronze or Standard Track Preliminary Skating Skills. Recommended requirement for safety/success: Adult Gold or Standard Track Bronze Skating Skills and above
General Requirements for all AEU Skaters:
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All skaters wishing to participate on a synchronized skating team must have an active individual US Figure Skating or USFS Learn-to-Skate membership during the time they plan to train/perform/compete with the team.
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While participating in synchronized skating, skaters are expected to continue their individual skill development, either through their regular lessons with a private coach or in a Learn-to-Skate program. Even for beginners, synchronized Skating is not replacement for individual skating development, but rather a competitive and performance opportunity for driven and team-oriented skaters!
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note on Team Placement Process:
Participating in team placement/Tryouts is always a commitment-free process. It is our job at AEU to place your skater on a team that will allow them the best opportunity for success and it is always up to you and your skater whether you would like to proceed with your team commitment.
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Questions about our team levels for current and future seasons? Contact ArcticSynchro@gmail.com