West Kootenay figure skating coach Sabrina Hinson will be heading to the B.C. Winter Games in Vernon later this month to coach the Zone 1 skaters.
Hinson lives in Castlegar, but coaches figure skating in Rossland, Nakusp and Trail.
As an NCCP level 2 certified coach, Hinson was qualified and so decided to put her name in for head coach of the Zone 1 figure skating team, which includes skaters from all over the Kootenay region.
“It was something I thought about doing two years ago when it was in Terrace,” Hinson said. “At the time, a lot of things were going on with skating and it just seemed further away so I decided not to go.”
This year, with the games being a lot closer, in Vernon, she decided the event would be a good learning experience for her.
Hinson is excited for the opportunity to go.
There are three skaters going from the region, two from Fernie and one from Beaver Valley.
“It’s a little bit different, in that the skaters go without their actual coach,” she said. “So the skaters that are going, I’ve never worked with before.”
She said that will make it a bit different, since she doesn’t know the skaters personalities as well and usually has a longer time to get to know their individual skating styles.
“I think it will be challenging, but at the same time I think it will be a really good learning experience and I think I’ll get to know them really well,” she said.
“What I learn at the games I’ll be able to take back to my clubs and apply with my own skaters for future competitions and practices.”
The B.C. Winter Games are in Vernon Feb. 23-26.
