Which Compete USA Event Should I Do?

Many parents and skaters find themselves in a similar situation: You enroll in Learn to Skate classes, maybe even complete them all, and then what? What do you do from that point? Sure, you could still skate recreationally, but what else can you do to feel achieved?

Skaters have different paths to venture down, and it's easy to become lost, even as a coach. Often, a skater will register for an event that is too difficult, too competitive, or not competitive enough. We'll discuss the different types of skating events that you or your child can participate in in this series. We'll move from lower to higher levels to make it even easier to find the perfect fit.

This post focuses on Compete USA Events which are 6.0 Events curated for Learn to Skate members and USFSA members at the Preliminary level and below. The goal of Compete USA is to introduce skaters to competitive skating in a fun, low-stress way.

Compete USA Competitions (USFSA)

Compete USA is a program offered under USFSA through the Learn to Skate USA program. All skaters currently enrolled in Learn to Skate or USFSA members are eligible for the events offered at these competitions. Levels range from Snowplow Sam to Freeskate 6 and include specialty and adaptive events. 6.0 Events are also offered at Compete USA competitions up to the Preliminary level in both Excel and Well-Balanced. Compete USA events include: Elements, Program with Music, Compulsory, Excel and Well-Balanced Freeskate, Adult Freeskate and Compulsory, Spin Challenge, Jump Challenge, Solo Pattern Dance, Hockey Events, Theater on Ice, Showcase Events, Interpretive, Team Compulsory, Aspire Synchro, Adaptive Skating, Special Olympics, and Pairs Events. In these events, all skaters receive a medal.

Let's break down precisely what any of that even is.

Elements

Elements Events allow skaters to compete without necessarily performing, and vice versa. In this event, skaters complete certain moves in a particular order, either directed by a judge or by the listed elements in the Compete USA manual. Each competitor will perform the event one at a time and continue to the next element once all skaters have gone. The judges will then determine who completed the element best and award that skater gold. There is no music for these events, and they are for those competing Snowplow - Basic 6.

Program with Music

A "program" is a routine in the figure skating world. In these events, skaters will complete certain elements in no specific order with transition steps and choreography that matches the music of their choice.

Compulsory Events

In Compulsory events, skaters perform specific elements with simple connecting steps. There is no music, and skaters will use half of the ice to compete.

Excel Free Skate

The Excel Program allows skaters to compete in Free Skate events that are more restricted than the Well-Balanced track. Compete USA competitions offer Excel Freeskate up to the Preliminary Plus levels. Skaters in the Excel track may be eligible for the National Excel Series.

Well-Balanced Free Skate

Well-Balanced Free Skate is the more competitive and traditional competitive figure skating track. Many skaters that begin in Well-Balanced move from the 6.0 system to the IJS system, but it is not required. A skater may switch from Well-Balanced to Excel, or vice-versa, but may not compete for both at the same competition. Compete USA offers Well-Balanced events up to the Preliminary level.

Adult Events

Adults can compete too! Adult levels 1-6 (and Beginner-Bronze) can compete in Free Skate events, spin and jump challenges, and compulsory.

Spin and Jump Challenge

In a Spins Challenge, skaters perform specific spins in any order of their choice. For Jump Challenges, skaters perform precise jumps in the same fashion. Connecting steps are allowed but are not taken into consideration when scoring.

Solo Pattern Dance

Skaters perform at the highest level of pattern dance passed. In these events, skaters perform two pattern dances without a partner. The patterns change based on what quarter it is and are listed in the Compete USA manual.

Hockey Events

Hockey events give hockey skaters currently enrolled in Learn to Skate an opportunity to put their skills to the test. Events are offered for levels Hockey 1-4 and include Elements and Skills challenges. In Hockey Elements, the skater will perform specific moves dictated by a judge or the manual. Hockey Skills challenges include shooting, fastest skater, stick handling, agility, and passing. Skaters receive a score based on each station's 1-5 scale.

Theater on Ice

Theater on Ice is a team event in which skaters perform choreographic programs to music. Theater on Ice is open to all levels in Compete USA competitions. The guidelines are listed here.

Showcase Events

If you love performing, then Showcase Events are definitely for you. These entertainment-only events are significant for skaters who get stressed out over the elements but love the performance and artistry part of the sport. Showcase events include dramatic entertainment, light entertainment, duets/trios, mini production ensembles, and production ensembles. Costumes are allowed as long as they don't drag on the ice! There are no required elements for these events as long as they meet the overall requirements.

Interpretive

Interpretive events are a fun way to show your creativity on the ice. All skaters are given the same random piece of music that they get to listen to once in these events. After the warmup, all skaters except for the first skater will go into a soundproof locker room so that they are unable to hear the music. Then, each skater gets to listen to the music a second time and then perform accordingly. Skaters are not allowed to watch each other perform. This event is also judged on performance quality rather than the difficulty of elements.

Team Compulsory

In the Team Compulsory event, skaters can compete with their training mates as a team. Skaters are assigned one element to perform. The scores are then averaged together for the total team score. This event is a fun, low-stress way to get into competing and a perfect chance to make life-long skating friends.

Aspire Synchro

Aspire Synchro is for skaters who have mastered the skills of their Learn to Skate Synchro level and want to compete as a team performing specific patterns and formations. Each team consists of 5-20 skaters with a max of 4 alternates. No jumps or spins are required, but you can add them to the program.

Adaptive Skating

Adaptive Skating events are for those with Special Olympics Badges 1-6. Skaters create a program or compete in an Elements event according to the criteria in this discipline. Special Olympics events include Singles, Pairs, and Ice Dance. Skate United is another event type for Adaptive skaters and offers competitors the opportunity to skate in the standard track or Skate United levels.

All of the events offered in Compete USA are great opportunities to introduce competing to your child or yourself. For more information about Compete USA Events, or to find a Basic Skills competition near you, visit the Compete USA page on usfigureskating.org.