Young Drumheller residents will once again get the opportunity to figure skate this year. 

The Can Skate and Star Skate programs will begin this fall for local skaters. Koren McDougald, President of the Drumheller Skating Club said the Star Skate junior, intermediate and senior skaters will start on Tuesday, September 8. 

“Star Skate is the junior, intermediate and senior level. So these are girls who have programs and go to competitions,” she said. 

McDougald explained that Can Skate usually starts at age 3 and can go up to 12 year olds. 

“In Can Skate you are learning to stop, start, do crossovers, skating backwards, edges, and starting to learn twirls and jumps. It is mostly figuring out the basics,” she said, explaining there are levels including pre-Can Skate which is levels 1-3, Can Skate A which is levels 4 and 5, and Can Skate B which is level 6. 

“After they complete level 6, they move into the Star Skate program. In the Star Skate program you have to learn different dances, and you get tested on dances and that is how you move up so you would go bronze, silver and gold,” she said, explaining that there are six dances in each level.

The Can Skate program will begin on Wednesday, October 7 McDougald said. She told inSide Drumheller that it is expected that the Star Skate program will have 16 skaters this year. As for the Can Skate program, she said there were 55 registered last year and they hope for similar numbers this year. 

    When asked why a skating program in Drumheller is important for the community McDougald said, “It is just to get the kids out and doing something in the arena and in the community. They get out, they learn a skill, and it is Canada, everyone should learn how to skate.”

“It develops incredible balance. Those kids are skating on those little blades, and you can skate faster than you can run, so it does really encourage great balance,” she said. 

McDougald also mentioned that they are part of the Skate Canada program and have to abide by the rules set out by them, including having coaches that are Can Skate qualified. She said they have one coach, Jackie Watts, which switches back and forth between the Can Skate and Star Skate programs and 10 program assistants who work strictly with the Can Skate skaters.

She said once the kids who participate in the Can Skate program are 12, a lot of the boys will move on to hockey and the girls will continue and move up into the Star Skate program until they are 17.  

Anyone interested in registering can visit the Drumheller Skating at the Sports Expo on Wednesday, September 9.

If you missed seeing the first Alberta Tough Mudder last year, head up to Dinosaur Downs this weekend to get an idea of what the hype is about.

Spectator registration online is available until midnight, this Friday, September 4 for $20. After that, spectators are able to pay $40 at the gate on either event day to go and cheer on their favourite Tough Mudder. 

Tough Mudder General Manager Nick Cogger says this year the Drumheller event is very viewer friendly. The majority of their showcase obstacles will be on the infield of the track at Dinosaur Downs. There, spectators can cheer on their favorite Mudders. Some of these obstacles include classics like the Arctic Enema, Walk the Plank and Electroshock Therapy. There are new ones including Funky Monkey.

Spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs, umbrellas and snacks to enjoy the day. Make sure you dress for the weather.

Away from the action on the course, there is lots to do on site. There will be food and beverages for sale, food trucks and a beer garden located on at the Stampede Grounds. There will also be music and displays from sponsors.

Another new addition to Tough Mudder is Muddy Munchkins. This is a small demo course for kids ages six and up to try out some similar obstacles that parents may be taking on. 

Whether you are there to check out the action, thinking about trying out another year, or cheering on a loved one, make this weekend a Tough Mudder weekend.