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30 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 29, 2006 DR. S. Y. MERALI is pleased to announce that he has joined the family practice in association with the doctors of Trafalgar Medical Clinic Young skaters thrilled to get pointers from former champ By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF New Families Welcome! 905.844.3281 Unbeatable Values $ Save up to 50% Genuine 100% Solid Wood Canadian made. 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Among the 42 skaters at the River Oaks Recreation Centre, there may be a future Canadian champion who will look back fondly on last Friday's opportunity to get instruction from one of Canada's best skaters. Robinson and her husband Shane Dennison, himself a former national junior pairs champion, were in Oakville to pass on tips to skaters ranging in age from eight to 19. The couple now coach at the Mariposa School of Skating in Barrie. Robinson and Dennison focused on field moves and spins in the morning session. They said the new scoring system for skating which awards points for each element, has made coaching easier. Coaches can now see where judges have deducted marks and work with the skater on that particular skill. Robinson, 29, also encouraged skaters BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER to improve their flexibility. FANCY FOOTWORK: Six-time Canadian champion Jennifer The skaters were excited to be getting instruction from a pair of nation- Robinson gives Oakville Skating Club members some tips during a skating seminar last Friday at River Oaks Recreation Centre. al champions. "It's pretty cool. It's good to get to don't get medals but I still get to step out in the midknow the person as well," said 12-year-old Claire dle of the ice and have people watch me perform." Segeren. · Her favourite colour: "Gold when I was com"They act so normal and then the next day you peting but now it's blue." see them on TV," said Tilda Venalainen. · The Olympics: "We didn't compete until the "And you say `We were just skating with them second week so a lot of skaters didn't go to the yesterday,'" added 13-year-old Stephanie Wilson. opening ceremonies. I was going to do every little Christine Rankin, 12, was looking forward to thing, walk in the opening ceremonies, go to the getting some instruction on jumps in the after- other events. It was so cool." noon. Before that, the skaters took the opportuni· Her favourite place to skate: "The Ottawa ty to pepper Robinson with a wide variety of ques- Civic Centre. I won my first title there so you never tions about: forget that. It's always special." · Her beginnings: "I used to play baseball, socOakville Skating Club technical director Valerie cer, gymnastics. My mother said she wasn't going Bartlett arranged for Robinson and Dennison to to be one of those people who spent all their time tutor the club's skaters. Last year the club had forin an arena. Then I saw the Ice Capades and I quit mer Canadian champions Brian Orser and Josee all the other stuff the next day." (It also worked out Chouinard conduct a session with the skaters and well for her younger brother, Jason, who then got Bartlett thought it would be a good idea to make it to play hockey and ended up getting drafted by the an annual event. Tampa Bay Lightning). The afternoon session also included a session · Her first competition: "I won but then I with hip-hop instructors from the Oakville thought I should win every one and stopped work- Academy for the Arts to help the skaters with ing hard and I finished sixth at the next one." rhythm and footwork. · Performing in Stars on Ice: "I'm a girly girl. I --Herb Garbutt can be reached at like sparkly costumes and I still get to perform. I sports@oakvillebeaver.com Walker's Line www.hiddenlakegolf.com 36 Championship holes Home of the Canadian Open qualifier Complete premier practice facility Golf clinics, Jr. Golf Camps & private coaching taught by qualified professionals Best Golf Pro Shop in the area! 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