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.
Canadian NCCP Level 3 National Coaching Certification, Barre Above Fitness Certified Instructor, Bachelor of Kinesiology, current Master of Physiotherapy student
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.
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.
NZ Gold and Gold star figure medal.
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.
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
Botany
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.
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
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. â€
Monday to Friday 10am to 3:30.
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.
Canadian NCCP Level 3 National Coaching Certification, Canadian Singles Technical Specialist Certification, International Data Replay Operator Certification, Master of Public Administration (MPA)
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.
Originally from Saint-Petersburg, Russia, Olga earned PhD in teaching, has been teaching and skating all life and as an Adult Skater represented New Zealand in various international competitions (singles and synchro). Over 5 years coaching experience from beginner level, wide range of knowledge and skills acquired from skating camps with top level overseas coaches.
Olga believes in individual approach and nurturing best in every person through interests and motivation, developing unique style, with flexibility and analytical approach, sharing joy of skating and working together with students bringing success in their development and creative movement.
NZIFSA/ISU Level 1 coaching accreditation, PhD in Pedagogical science, Bachelor of Geography, Yoga teaching certification. Speak English and Russian.
Competitions highlights: 1st place in ANZAS competitions in Melbourne, Aus 2020; 3rd place in Cup of Dunes de Flandres (France, 2010), 3rd place White Nights Competitions (Russia), 4th place ISU Adult Ice skating competitions in Oberstdorf and Nashville 2023, 5th place in World Winter Master Games 2024.
Participated in ISU Adult Competitions in Oberstdorf and Nashville (from 2019), World WInter Master Games and competitions in Australia, France, Russia and Estonia.
Figure sessions - morning and afternoon in Avondale (+some sessions in Botany).
Public sessions - 10 am to 3.30 pm Mon, Wed and Fri, and weekends (Avondale or Botany).
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.
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
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.
Avondale - all sessions
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, Canada’s 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.
All kiwi skate levels
First aid level 2
NZIFSA/ISU Level 1 coaching accreditation
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.
Unavailable Term 3 2024
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.
Bachelor of Sports
NZIFSA Level 1 Coach
Specialization: Kiwi Skate and Solo Ice Figure Skating
Competition highlights:
National Youth Figure Skating Champion in China in 2000
Star Cup National Youth Championship in 2001
limited time Friday and Sunday location Avondale
Avondale
Stepan has been figure skating since 2013 and is a competitive figure skater currently at Junior level. Stepan’s 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.
NZIFSA/ISU Level 1 coaching accreditation
All Kiwi Skate Levels
First Aid course level 2
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
Attended seminars from internationally recognised coaches
Trained in Canada with World and Olympic coaches.
National competitive Ballroom dancer since 2017
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
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.
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.
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 casual lessons during the term - Botany and Avondale
Limited slots remain for Term 2 and 3 2024
As well as:
School holidays (at Botany only) Mon - Fri 10-1 pm - Limited slots remain for October 2024 Holidays
Please go to "Public Skating" and select "Botany Session Times" to see all opening times.
Botany