Synchronized skaters from across Western Canada take over the ice at Max Bell arena

Max Bell Arena was the scene of more precise choreography than a performance of The Nutcracker Saturday, as hundreds of synchronized skaters from across Western Canada participated in the 40^th Rose Bowl Synchronized Skating Competition.

Twenty-five teams from B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan competed in nine different events performing elaborate dance routines, said Rose Bowl chair Cheryl Schaub-Ruel.

“It’s a team event, so on the ice, at any given time, you’ll have eight to 16 skaters just doing a whole bunch of different maneuvres, formations, different elements all to music choreographed and with fabulous costumes as well,” Schaub-Ruel said.

According to a media release, synchronized skating is one of Canada’s fastest-growing disciplines in figure skating, with over 450 clubs nationwide.

It added that Canada is recognized as a world leader in synchronized skating.

Synchronized skaters participate in the 39th Rose Bowl at 7 Chiefs Sportsplex, Dec.16, 2023

What no one is debating is that synchronized skating is precise and complex – and when it all comes together, spectacular to watch.

“It’s a challenge,” Schaub-Ruel said, “especially, with some of the manoeuvres if you imagine 16 skaters out there – that’s 32 skates all trying to be very tight in formation.

“Sometimes, our skaters are twizzling, twirling around by each other,” she added. “Their legs are in the air for some of our spiral things, there’s occasionally lifts so it just adds a complexity and sometimes a little bit of a dangerous element to some of the manoeuvres we’ll do.”

For more information about synchronized skating in Calgary, go here.