Many skaters ask about how to get ready for the auditions, so here are a few suggestions.
1) Use the skill lists. Current team skaters will be e-mailed them, and others can get a copy in the coaches' room. If you aduitioning from another rink, just e-mail us and we'll get a copy to you. Practice the skills before audition day
2) Have a private lesson coach go over each skill with you if possible to show you areas that can improve. Be sure your crossovers all ways are strong, smooth and flowing.
3) Spend time on posture, erect head carriage and good arms. This counts a lot!!!
4) When you audition, come prepared in skating attire and with long hair secured back
5) We expect confident skating. If a skill is not comfortable for you, just do the best you can and show off your willingness to go for it. Perfection is not the rule - a great attitude about trying is. We are looking at skills in terms of whether you can be taught over a season to master the routine requirements, so if a skill is still shaky but we think you are able to master it with a little more work that's ok.
6) Plan on a short sequence of steps we will throw at you without a lot of preparation time. This is to see how quickly you memorize. Don't panic, we're looking for whether you can catch on and take direction.
7) Pay attention. Good team skaters listen rather than chit-chat.
8) Remember, a great big smile always helps!
9) Most important, try to let yourself have fun. Auditions are a great learning experience for life, and even if you don't make the team you hope for you've learned some new skills and maybe made a new friend or two.
After auditions are complete, skaters are notified by mail of their placement. We try at Minnetonka Synchro to place everyone we can on a team so that as many skaters as possible get to enjoy the fun and friendships created in team skating. Synchro is a wonderful chance to have a team group experience while increasing your confidence and power on the ice. Good luck.