A two-time Canadian Champion and world-level competitor, Alaine has now been coaching for more than 5 years and has experience coaching skaters from beginner to national levels. Alaine takes a wide range of knowledge and skills acquired from lessons and seminars with several world-level coaches and synthesizes it to create her unique coaching approach.


QUALIFICATIONS

Canadian NCCP Level 3 National Coaching Certification, Barre Above Fitness Certified Instructor, Bachelor of Kinesiology, current Master of Physiotherapy student


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Two-time Canadian Champion, three-time World Team member, seven-time National Team member, ISU Grand Prix Rostelecom Cup Bronze Medalist, ISU Challenger Series Autumn Classic International Silver Medalist. Alaine has coached skaters to a Canadian provincial level, and worked with up to national competitors on jump technique and off-ice training. She also has experience as a choreographer, creating programs for beginner to Basic Novice levels and adult competitors.


AVAILABILITY

Alaine is fully booked for Term One 2026


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany


Fully booked for term 1 2026




Caitlin has been skating for 14 years, starting her journey in figure skating before discovering her passion for synchronized skating. She now competes at a senior level, representing New Zealand at national, international, and world championship events.
Caitlin began coaching at the age of 15 and, after taking a gap year, is excited to return to the ice with a renewed passion for helping others grow as skaters. Her coaching philosophy focuses on developing strong fundamental skating skills and building confidence in young skaters, empowering them to reach their goals while enjoying the process.


QUALIFICATIONS

KiwiSkate Coaching Accreditation
First Aid Certified


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Senior Synchronized Skating Team Member
Represented New Zealand at National, International & World Championship Levels
5+ Years of Coaching Experience (since age 15)


AVAILABILITY

Thursday: 6 - 8:30am
Fridays: 3:45 – 5:00 pm


RINK OF PREFERENCE





Chris Blong is a seven-time Senior National Champion and has represented his country at international competitions, including the World Championships. As an experienced figure skating coach, he has successfully guided skaters to win both national titles and Australian Nationals.

After a long break from coaching, he is returning to focus on newer young skaters ready to start their figure Skating journey or lower-level figure skaters that require more lesson time than other coaches have available.


QUALIFICATIONS

NZ Gold and Gold star figure medal.


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

As a Skater Chris was Senior National Champion 7 times and represented NZ at Junior and Senior International competitions including World Championships. As a coach Chris has 6 years previous experience with students winning many NZ and Australian Championships.


AVAILABILITY

Botany Tuesday 3.45-5pm Academy practice, Wednesday 6.30-8.30am & 3.45-5.30pm Figure session, Thursday 3.45-5.30pm public session, Friday 3.45-5.45pm Figure session


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Botany





Elise started skating as a teenager in Christchurch and then Canada, taking a ten year break and returning to the sport as an adult after watching the 2018 Winter Olympics. She has been coaching for six years, initially at Paradice, and then in Australia and the US for the past three years while completing her PhD overseas. Elise loves to work with all ages, and has extensive experience teaching and helping those with different learning styles achieve their goals. She is also a huge fan of the sport and exploring opportunities for how skaters of all levels and ages can be involved.


QUALIFICATIONS

US Figure Skating Gold Medal test (Adult skating skills/stroking)
KiwiSkate Coach
First Aid certificate


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Competed in two NZ National Championships (adult bronze and silver levels)
Have attended seminars from world level coaches in Australia and the US
Choreographed and assisted in skating show production
Coached in NZ, Australia and California, including specialised classes such as spin, edges and introduction to skating, as well as regular private and group lessons


AVAILABILITY

Wednesday evenings (Avondale)
Weekends (please contact for availability)


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale





Originally from Canada, Gordon has been involved in figure skating for 58 years. He has been coaching professionally in Canada and New Zealand for 36 years. This includes all levels of skaters from beginners to international competitors. Gordon enjoys encouraging skaters to gain confidence to reach their potential and develop a love for ice skating.


QUALIFICATIONS

Level 1 Coaching Accreditation in Singles, Pairs and Ice Dance. Canadian Gold Figures, Gold Free skate, Gold Senior Competitive, Gold Dance Tests. Canadian NCCP Accredited Level 1


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Trained with Olympic and World Coach Dr. Helmut May for 12 years. Competed in Canada and United States. Gordan has had skaters competing at World and Junior World championships, Four Continents, ISU Junior Grand Prix’s and numerous other International competitions. Has coached many New Zealand champions of all levels. ”


AVAILABILITY

Monday to Friday 10am to 3:30.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany





An Olympic Medalist and longtime world-level competitor for Canada, Kevin is now a professional coach and technical panel official working with skaters from beginner level to Senior-level triple-jump competitors. Kevin has a collaborative coaching style, readily incorporating students’ feedback to add detail and feel to technical corrections.


QUALIFICATIONS

Canadian NCCP Level 3 National Coaching Certification, Canadian Singles Technical Specialist Certification, International Data Replay Operator Certification, Master of Public Administration (MPA)


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Olympic Silver Medalist (Team), ISU Four Continents Champion, six-time World Championships competitor, six-time Canadian National Medalist. Kevin has been working as a coach for 6 years, coaching skaters to a Canadian provincial level. He has also worked with national and international competitors to hone jump technique and provide technical specialist feedback. With certification as a Canadian-level technical specialist and mentorship experience with ISU-level officials, Kevin brings a deep knowledge of skating rules and evaluation standards, which help inform strategy and planning.


AVAILABILITY

Kevin is fully booked for Term One 2026


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany


Kevin is fully booked for Term One 2026




Preeya has been skating at Paradice since she was 2 years old. She is a Skate Canada Regional Coach (in training), CanSkate Coach (in training), and NZIFSA Level 2 accredited coach with coaching experience in New Zealand and Canada. An 8-time New Zealand representative, she has experience coaching synchronized ice skating and has attended development camps worldwide. Preeya believes skating is for everyone and creates an inclusive, supportive environment for skaters of all abilities.
coaching focuses on growth and fun, believing that skating is for all ages and that skaters should enjoy the journey while developing their skills and confidence.


QUALIFICATIONS

Skate Canada Regional Coach (In Training)
Skate Canada CanSkate Coach (In Training)
NZIFSA Level 2 Accredited
Bachelor of Sport Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Sport Science
Currently pursuing postgraduate studies in marketing


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Preeya has coached figure skating and synchronized ice skating at all levels, from beginners to advanced athletes, in both competitive and recreational programs. As an 8-time New Zealand representative, she brings valuable competitive experience to her coaching.


AVAILABILITY

Avondale - all sessions


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale


Fully Booked For Term 1




Skyla has been skating since 2006, and skated 12 years competitively. She has skated and trained in Canada and Japan, before moving to New Zealand in 2020. Skyla coached and assisted with CanSkate, Canadas equivalent of KiwiSkate. As a coach, Skyla believes in teaching each skater according to their personal goal. She also believes in pushing skaters to perfect skills, and to continue working on these skills even when mastered. With experiences in other ice sports, she knows the importance of skating fundamentals, and loves to teach both new and returning skaters of all levels and ages.


QUALIFICATIONS

All kiwi skate levels
First aid level 2
NZIFSA/ISU Level 1 coaching accreditation


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Experience in competing and coaching in figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating.
Competed in Canada in Advanced Novice for figure skating.
Coached in both Canada and New Zealand.


AVAILABILITY

Available for new enquiries for the holidays and term 1.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Botany





I started skating since four-year-old, and was selected into the Provincial team in Heilongjiang, China when I was ten years old. At the age of fifteen-year-old, I was honoured to be selected into the National team of China for youth female single skating. I have won many national competitions in China and I was a senior coach for singles back in China. My coaching philosophy is that I would like to teach students from their early stage of skating so that they get all the basics correct and I can help them get ready for more advanced level of skating.


QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Sports
NZIFSA Level 1 Coach
Specialization: Kiwi Skate and Solo Ice Figure Skating


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Competition highlights:
National Youth Figure Skating Champion in China in 2000
Star Cup National Youth Championship in 2001


AVAILABILITY

limited time Friday and Sunday location Avondale


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale


Fully booked for 2025




Sofia has been skating for fifteen years in both single and synchronized figure skating. Originally from Sweden where she has been part of the junior and senior national synchronized skating teams, competing at junior and senior world championships. Sofia has been coaching skaters on all levels for 6 years and is passionate about helping skaters reach their goals while having fun. She is also studying sport management and sport science at AUT which gives her a deeper understanding of how sport and physical activity positively affects our lives.


QUALIFICATIONS

Level2 coach Sweden accreditation
NZIFSA Level 2 coaching accreditation in progress
Studying Bachelor In Sport Management


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Sweden Junior & Senior Synchronized National teams
Competitor at World Synchronized Skating Championships
Paradice Skating Academy Coach of the Year


AVAILABILITY

Tuesdays 3.45-4.15pm during the term Avondale
Thursdays 3.45-5.15pm Figure Session Avondale
Saturday 12.45-2pm Botany


RINK OF PREFERENCE





Stepan has been figure skating since 2013 and is a competitive figure skater currently at Junior level. Stepans dream is to represent NZ at the World Championships. He is also a National competitive Ballroom dancer since 2017.
He loves skating because it makes him feel free and happy inside. Stepan enjoys moving to the music on the ice, and the feeling of connection with it.
Stepan loves coaching because it reminds him of when he was starting out and enables him to pass his knowledge and love for the sport on to the skaters he teaches.
He believes that you can overcome all obstacles and must never give up, to fulfill your dreams, but always remember to have some fun along the way.


QUALIFICATIONS

NZIFSA/ISU Provisional Level 2 coaching accreditation
All Kiwi Skate Levels
First Aid Level 2
Mental Health First Aid
NZIFSA Gold Stroking & Silver Free Skate tests


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Coaching since 2017
2017-2020 in NZ international representation team for solo
2024 - Representing NZ at ISU World Junior Synchronized championship with Synchronized team Titanium
Coach of the Year 2024
Attended seminars from internationally recognised coaches
Trained in Canada with World and Olympic coaches.
National competitive Ballroom dancer since 2017


AVAILABILITY

Public sessions:
Weekdays 10:00 - 3:30 and/or evening public sessions under arrangement
Tuesday 3:45-5pm - Academy Practice
Thursday 3:45-5:30 pm
Sunday 12:00-4:00pm

Figure sessions:
Morning (Botany and Avondale) and afternoon (Botany) sessions under arrangement


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Botany





Victoria is a competitive figure skater who has represented New Zealand and has loved the sport since she was six. She is passionate about passing that love on to the next generation, believing skating builds not only skills on the ice but valuable life skills too.

Victoria has a special interest in coaching neurodivergent skaters (Autistic, ADHD, APD, OCD, SPD and more). Being AuDHD herself, she is passionate about creating a safe, inclusive space where every skater feels understood and supported.

With a background in ballet, she brings strong fundamentals, expression, and performance quality to her coaching, while continuing to upskill technically.

Victoria offers private lessons for individuals or small groups of up to three skaters.


QUALIFICATIONS

NZIFSA Provisional Level 2 Coaching Accreditation.
Personal NZIFSA Test Level: Free Skating - Senior (Inter-Gold medal) Stroking - Senior (Full Gold medal)
Attends all continuing education forums and seminars, including Drug Free Sport NZ.


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

12 years skating experience
10 years ballet training with Royal Academy of Dance
New Zealand Ice Figure Skating National Development Team member, NZ National medalist & New Zealand International Representative (pre covid).
Attended coaching seminars from several Olympic level coaches.
Recipient Paradice Skating Academy Coach of The Year award.


AVAILABILITY

Can accommodate daytime lessons during the term 10am-3:30pm; Botany and Avondale
as well as,
12-4:30pm Saturday and Sunday (Botany only)
Limited slots are remaining for Term 1 2026
Also available every school holidays (Botany only) from Mon - Fri 10am-2 pm.
Victoria’s registrations for T1 holidays open on 28 March 2026 so please enquire prior to this date.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany