Nearly 300 skaters, plus their families, friends and fans, filled Strathcona Gardens at Vancouver Island's first figure skating competition of the season last weekend.
All 16 clubs on the Island, along with one from the Sunshine Coast, sent participants. It marked the highest turnout the event has seen in recent years, said Rory Allen, Campbell River Skating Club's director of programs.
The Campbell River Skating Club featured 34 athletes competing in 65 events.
Nearly half of the competitors competed in STAR 1 – the first level of competition. Ten of 34 club athlete entries were first time competitors.
"It is a testament of the excitement that is building around skating in our community," Allen said.
Eight placement-based competitors achieved Personal Best scores, thanks to their impressive performances on home ice, he said.
