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

Weekday public and figure sessions, Saturday morning figure session avondale.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany


Fully booked for term 3 2025




With nine years of skating experience, Alethea began her journey through the Skating Academy, where she built a strong foundation in the sport. Her dedication and passion led her to represent New Zealand in competitions, showcasing her talent on an international stage. Now, she hopes to share her skills and knowledge with aspiring skaters, guiding them as they develop their abilities and reach their full potential both on and off the ice.


QUALIFICATIONS

Attended KiwiSkate coaching course
All KiwiSkate levels
Attended ISU coaching courses


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Represented New Zealand overseas
New Zealand Development Squad
2019 National Champion
5x New Zealand National Medalist


AVAILABILITY

Tuesdays 3:45-5:15pm
School holidays


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Botany





Alex has been figure skating for six years, and first learned to skate through the Paradice Skating Academy. As a coach, Alex’s motivation is to share his love of the sport, and he is committed to helping skaters of all ages unlock their full potential. With a particular emphasis on teaching and inspiring adult skaters, Alex creates a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.


QUALIFICATIONS


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Coaching skating for two years, additional coaching experience in other sports.


AVAILABILITY

Sundays and limited weekday times.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale





Cara Tang is a dedicated figure skater with 10 years of experience, starting her journey at Paradice Skating Academy. Since age 13, she has represented New Zealand internationally at events like the Oceania International, Thailand Open, Asian Open, and three ISU Junior Grand Prix competitions, in Riga, Osaka, and Wuxi. Passionate about coaching, Cara hopes to transfer her knowledge and skill to the next upcoming generation


QUALIFICATIONS

Attended Kiwiskate coaching course ⁃ Passed NZIFSA Gold Stroking test at age of 12 ⁃ All Kiwiskate levels


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

NZ International Rep Team since 2018 ⁃ 10 years of competitive dance in all styles ⁃ 3x High Distinction award in Royal Academy of Dance ⁃ NZ Top Dancer Winner in 2021 ⁃ Competed in 3 ISU Junior Grand Prix events since the age of 13 ⁃ 5x New Zealand National Medalist


AVAILABILITY

School Holidays only


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Botany





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





Connie is a junior level competitive skater and has been skating since 2013. She learnt to skate through Paradice Skating Academy, and feels passionate about the sport. She has won gold medals in club competitions, North Island competitions, and was the national champion in 2020. Connie enjoys coaching and is always happy to listen and help skaters to achieve their personal goals.


QUALIFICATIONS

Kiwi Skate Coaching Accreditation
NZIFSA medal tests: Silver Free Skate, Gold Stroking


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

10 years of skating experience
2020 NZIFSA national champion
Represents New Zealand in overseas competitions
Has been national competitive figure skater to now


AVAILABILITY

School holidays
Term: Sunday from 1pm


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale





Evgenia is a current competitive Adult skater and has been skating for 7 years. She started learning to skate in Russia and continued in New Zealand.
Being passionate about sports and figure skating in particular, she strives to inspire others to improve skills and unlock their potential.
She is happy to work with Beginners to Novice students of all ages, including adults.


QUALIFICATIONS

recently attended Kiwi Skate Coaching Accreditation
NZIFSA Elementary Stroking Test


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

New Zealand National Champion (Guest Adult Bronze)
3x NZ North Island Champion (Adult Bronze)
Russian regional figure skating winner (Juvenile)
7 years of competitive swimming experience in Russia (Junior)
4 years of fitness coaching teenagers and adults


AVAILABILITY

During School Term
Avondale
Tuesday 15:45 - 16:15
Friday 10:00 - 12:00
Sunday 13:50 - 14:20

Botany
Thursday 11:30 - 15:30


RINK OF PREFERENCE





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

Weekday public and figure sessions, Saturday morning figure session Avondale.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany





Megan is a figure skater in training and has a passion for utilising her own ongoing learning experience to help others learn how to skate. She enjoys teaching all ages including adults. Megan is a strong believer in structured learning and working with skaters to achieve their best in whichever area of ice skating they wish to pursue.


QUALIFICATIONS

All KiwiSkate levels, First aid level 3, NZIFSA Level 1 coach accreditation. Qualified pool lifeguard and former qualified teacher of swimming and water safety. She also has a bachelors degree in business (HR/ER) from AUT with Beta Gamma Sigma honors.


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Megan has been coaching KiwiSkate since 2022, and has previously coached swimming for both adults and children for four years. She started learning to skate though the Skating Academy as a teenager and so understands the challenges of learning to skate as an older student. Coach of the year recipient (Botany) 2023. Attended NZIFSA skater development camps in 2024 and 2025.


AVAILABILITY

Summer holidays 2025/26: weekdays at Botany rink, public & figure sessions (no weekends).

Avondale 2025: Thursday afternoon/evening only. Level minimum applies for figure session.

Botany 2025: Limited space available on Sundays 12-4pm, Tuesdays 3:45-5:15pm, and some casual daytime weekdays (10-3pm).


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany





Nathan is a Short Track Ice Speed Skater who’s skated since 2005. He started out with Kiwi Skate and private lessons before transitioning fully to speed skating. Since 2016 Nathan has been teaching Skating Academy, where he’s been developing and refining his teaching methods. Nathan’s approach has a strong emphasis on shared skating fundamentals between the ice sports to complement your training, to instil his skaters with power and grace suitable for any skating discipline. With this in mind, Nathan is often one of our head coaches, and mentors of our trainee coaches with an emphasis on levels below Novice. Nathan is also a longstanding board member and coach for Hauraki Ice Racing Club.


QUALIFICATIONS

Current first Aid Certificate
Attended intro to coaching Kiwi Skate Course
Attended ISSNZ Speed Skating Coaching course


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Skating Academy Coach of the Year Award 2019 Avondale
Nearly ten years of coaching experience between Figure and Speed Skating (2016-present)
Reached the Mens 500m ISU Junior World Cup Qualifying times in 2017 (49.509s)


AVAILABILITY

Avondale only
Tuesday 11:00-13:00 Public session (During term) and 3:45-5:00pm (Skating Academy skaters practice held during term)
Sunday 1:00-3:30pm Public session February to December


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale





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





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


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




Sophie is a synchro skater with 10 years of skating experience, having started her journey at Paradice Skating Academy. Over the years, she has competed at the National Championships and even represented New Zealand in the World Junior Synchronised Skating Championships - being a part of the first New Zealand team to attend the event. Since stepping back from competition, Sophie has transferred her skills into coaching with a strong passion for teaching and attention to detail. Sophie believes that every skater learns differently, and uses this to ensure that students will get the most out of their lesson.


QUALIFICATIONS

KiwiSkate Coaching Accreditation
Level 1 First Aid Certification


EXPERIENCE & ACHIEVEMENTS

Experience in competing in synchronised skating until Senior level
World Junior Synchronised Skating Championships 2024
NZ National Skating Championships 2019 - 2023


AVAILABILITY

Tuesday 3:45 - 5:15 pm
Thursday 3:45 - 5:30 pm
Weekend/evening public sessions


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Botany





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 current competitive figure skater who has previously represented New Zealand in Ice Figure Skating. She initially fell in love with the sport at the age of 5, and now continues to share that love with the next generation of skaters. Victoria will work with you to develop a strategy personal to you, depending on your style of skating and the goals you wish to reach. She believes coaching is not just about the time spent at the rink, but also the life skills that it will teach you.
Victoria holds a special interest in training skating skills and emphasises the importance of learning skating fundamentals to her developing skaters. Her origin as a ballet dancer has a significant effect on the importance she sees in skaters performing routines and expressing themselves on the ice. As much as she appreciates the beauty of the sport, she is also very knowledgeable in the athletic side.
Victoria offers private tuition for just one student, or in groups of up to 3.


QUALIFICATIONS

NZIFSA Level 1 Coaching Accreditation.
Personal NZIFSA Test Level: Free Skating - Junior (Silver medal) Stroking - Senior (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, 2 x NZ National medalist, 4x New Zealand International Representative (prior 2020).
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
12-4:30pm Saturday and Sunday (Botany only) - Limited slots remain for Term 1 2025
As well as:
School holidays (Botany only) Mon - Fri 10-1 pm.
Please go to "Public Skating" and select "Botany Session Times" to see all opening times before enquiring.


RINK OF PREFERENCE

Avondale, Botany