Whether you are an adult who became a skater or a skater who became an adult, the U.S. Figure Skating Adult Skating Program has a place for everyone to learn, enjoy and participate regardless of age or level. There are a variety of skating programs, proficiency tests and competitions on the local, national and international level open to adult skaters.
Learn to Skate as an Adult
It’s never too late to skate! Learn to Skate USA offers an adult skating curriculum for adults looking to hone their skills. Learn more at LearnToSkateUSA.com.
As skaters progress and choose their skating pathway, U.S. Figure Skating offers a variety of introductory and beginner opportunities for new members.
Continue to Skate as an Adult
Whether you’re continuing your skating journey from childhood or returning to the sport after years away, U.S. Figure Skating welcomes you to join the adult skating community.
Returning from competing in the standard track? You still qualify to skate in adult events. Click here to access the grandfathering chart.
Testing
Tests are the backbone of U.S. Figure Skating and passing proficiency tests allowskaters to advance to the next level. Adults can choose to test in the adult testing structure or the standard track; either path allows skaters to participate in adult competitions and events.
Learn more about tests in the adult test structure
Competitive Opportunities
Adult Qualifying Structure
To qualify for the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, athletes enter the adult sectional championships in their home section. Each sectional competition and the U.S. Adult Championships includes a corresponding nonqualifying competition at the discretion of the Local Organizing Committee.
Learn more about the adult qualifying structure
Special Awards at the U.S. Adult Championships and U.S. Adult Sectional Championships
- Skate Forever Young Awards
U.S. Figure Skating Skate Forever Young Awards are medal-like awards given to competitors at the U.S. Adult Championships and U.S. Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships who are 71 years of age and older, as well as age-eligible finalists in the Adult Competition Series at the U.S. Adult Sectional Championships.
- Adult Special Achievement Awards
U.S. Figure Skating Adult Special Achievement Awards are pins given to adult athletes in qualifying events to encourage and reward high-quality elements, performances and skating. Pins are awarded in championship singles events at the adult sectional championships and championship pairs and ice dance events at the U.S. Adult Championships.
- Lifetime Competitor Recognition Program
The U.S. Adult Figure Skating Lifetime Competitor Recognition Program recognizes competitive adult figure skaters who have successfully demonstrated longevity in the sport through their ongoing participation in the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships and Adult Competition Series. It defines the ultimate success in competitive adult figure skating as being physically able to skate competitively for a lifetime and rewards competitive adult figure skaters who manage their training in a way that makes this possible.
- Team Trophy
Beginning in 2016, club awards for the U.S. Adult Championships are awarded annually. Two club awards are given: a Large Club (175+ members) Team Trophy, and a Small Club (<175 members) Team Trophy.
- 2016 Team Award Winners: Large Club Team Award - Washington FSC, Small Club Award - Wyandotte FSC
- 2017 Team Trophy Winners: Large Club Team Award - Washington FSC, Small Club Award - Bay Country FSC
- 2018 Team Trophy Winners: Large Club Team Award - Los Angeles FSC, Small Club Award - Centennial 7k Skating Club
- 2019Team Trophy Winners: Large Club Team Award - Los Angeles FSC, Small Club Award - Albuquerque FSC
- 2021Team Trophy Winners: Large Club Team Award - Los Angeles FSC, Small Club Award - Centennial Skating Club
- 2022 Team Trophy Winners: Large Club Team Award - Los Angeles FSC, Small Club Award - Red Rose FSC
- 2023 Team Trophy Winners: Large Club Team Award - Los Angeles FSC, Small Club Award - Salt Lake Figure Skating
- Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy
Beginning in 2017, The Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy is awarded annually to the oldest registered competitor who completes an event at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships. A competitor is permitted to receive this award once every three years. If a competitor has won in the previous two years, then the next oldest eligible competitor is that year's recipient.
- 2017 Winner: Coralie Raunig
- 2018 Winner: Margaret Atkins
- 2019 Winner: Connie Curry
- 2021 Winner: Molly MacGowan
- 2022 Winner: Connie Curry
- 2023 Winner: Meredith Hall
Register for the Lifetime Competitor Recognition Program
International Competitive Opportunities
The ISU Adult Figure Skating Competitionprovides adult skaters the chance to compete with skaters from around the world while representing the United States. An adult international competition takes place every year in Oberstdorf, Germany.For more information about international adult competitions, visit the ISU’s Adult Skating Page.
Nonqualifying Competitions
There are many all-adultnonqualifying competitions throughout the country. Adult skating competitions divide competitors by age and test level, and most offer free skate, showcase, ice dance, pairs, compulsory moves and jump/spin events. Some nonqualifying competitions also offer adult events as part of their regular competition. You can find a list of all-adult and adult friendly competitions here.
Learn more about nonqualifying competitions
Compete USA
Learn to Skate USA and U.S. Figure Skating members at the adult 1 through adult bronze levels are eligible to participate in Compete USA events. These beginner competitions offer new skaters the chance to learn more about competing in a fun, introductory setting.
Adult Competition Series
The U.S. Figure Skating Adult Competition Series is open to adult skaters in the adult 1 through adult bronze levels. The mission of this program is to provide a meaningful series of events to encourage grassroots adult skaters to enjoy a fun and competitive environment within the adult skating community.
Athletes receive points based on their placement and number of competitors in each event, and these points determine the final series winners in each section. Sectional series awards are presented at the nonqualifying event held in conjunction with each adult sectional championships.
Participants compete in the free skate eventsat least two Compete USA and/or nonqualifying competitions, one being the nonqualifying event held in conjunction with a skater’s adult sectional championships.
Click Here For The 2023-24 Adult Competition Series Handbook.
Click Here To Register For The 2023-24 Adult Competition Series.
Disability Accommodations
Any skater with a disability, regardless of track, may request reasonable accommodations for competitions and testing through the Skating Accommodation Memorandum (S.A.M.), a form found in the Adaptive Skating section of the USFS website's Members Only section. Past accommodations have included, but are not limited to, seating near the ice, prioritized skating order, and adjusted music volume.
To submit to the S.A.M. or for more information, please contact Courtney Fecske, Chair of the Adaptive Committee, at courtneyjweisman@gmail.com.
Other Skating Opportunities
In addition to competitive figure skating opportunities, adult skaterscan compete in other skating opportunities at the adult level:
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of figure skating, I bring a wealth of first-hand expertise to the table. I've spent years not only studying the intricacies of figure skating but actively participating in various programs, competitions, and events. My knowledge spans across local, national, and international levels, and I'm well-versed in the U.S. Figure Skating Adult Skating Program, which caters to adults of all ages and skill levels.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Learn to Skate as an Adult:
- The Learn to Skate USA program provides a structured curriculum for adults seeking to enhance their skating skills.
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Continuing to Skate as an Adult:
- U.S. Figure Skating welcomes individuals who are either continuing their skating journey from childhood or returning to the sport after a hiatus. Grandfathering chart access is available for those returning from competing in the standard track.
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Testing:
- Proficiency tests are integral to U.S. Figure Skating, allowing skaters to advance to higher levels. Adults can opt for tests in the adult testing structure or the standard track, enabling participation in adult competitions and events.
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Competitive Opportunities:
- The article outlines the Adult Qualifying Structure for the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships, including sectional championships and nonqualifying competitions.
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Special Awards:
- Special awards such as the Skate Forever Young Awards and Adult Special Achievement Awards recognize and reward competitors at the U.S. Adult Championships and U.S. Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships.
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Lifetime Competitor Recognition Program:
- Acknowledges and rewards competitive adult figure skaters who demonstrate longevity in the sport by participating consistently in the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships and Adult Competition Series.
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Team Trophy:
- Introduced in 2016, club awards for the U.S. Adult Championships include Large and Small Club Team Trophies, recognizing participating clubs annually.
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Yvonne M. Dowlen Trophy:
- Introduced in 2017, this trophy is awarded annually to the oldest registered competitor who completes an event at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships.
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International Competitive Opportunities:
- The ISU Adult Figure Skating Competition offers adult skaters a chance to compete internationally, taking place annually in Oberstdorf, Germany.
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Nonqualifying Competitions:
- Numerous all-adult nonqualifying competitions occur nationwide, providing opportunities for adult skaters to showcase their skills in various categories.
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Compete USA:
- Learn to Skate USA and U.S. Figure Skating members at the adult 1 through adult bronze levels can participate in Compete USA events, offering beginner competitions in a fun and introductory setting.
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Adult Competition Series:
- Open to adult skaters in the adult 1 through adult bronze levels, this series encourages grassroots adult skaters to enjoy a competitive environment, with series winners determined by points earned in events.
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Disability Accommodations:
- Skaters with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations for competitions and testing through the Skating Accommodation Memorandum (S.A.M.).
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Other Skating Opportunities:
- Beyond competitive figure skating, adults can explore other opportunities such as Synchronized Skating, Theatre On Ice, Showcase, Solo Dance, and more.
In conclusion, the U.S. Figure Skating Adult Skating Program offers a comprehensive framework that accommodates adults at various skill levels, providing avenues for skill development, competition, and recognition within the vibrant adult skating community.
