Lower Cape Figure Skating Association (LCFSA) is a figure skating club for skaters interested in developing their figure skating. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive club that supports and celebrates the accomplishments of all of our skaters.
Our club is housed at the Charles Moore Arena in Orleans, MA. Here, skaters work with coaches on learning and perfecting new skills. Many of our skaters opt to perform in our exhibitions and shows and compete in competitions across New England.
Parent FAQs
How do I know if my skater is ready to join the club? Your skater genuinely enjoys being on the ice.
Your skater asks for additional lessons or wants to go to the rink for more ice time.
Your skater is asking to perform or compete.
Your skater wants to make new friends with similar interests.
US Figure Skating’s Guide to Figure Skating Clubs.
Why join the club?
LCFSA Club Membership gives skaters access to:
*USFSA & ISI Membership.
*Skaters are able to participate in, and represent LCFSA during, competitions and test sessions.
*Contracting ice time at a discounted rate and prior to nonclub members.
*Full participation in the annual spring show, mini-exhibitions, and club numbers in CMA’s holiday show.
*Use of skater’s room at the rink.
*Participation in LCFSA social gatherings, on and off the ice.
*Participation in annual spring banquet.
*Access to specialty seminars, on and off ice classes, synchronized skating teams, etc.
How do I choose a coach for my child?
LCFSA has a team of 9 coaches, all of which are fully credentialed through US Figure Skating. Parent’s interested in finding a coach for their skater should contact Coach Jen Curran, coachjen@lcfsa.com, to fill out a lesson request form where we will take coach request and availability and connect you with a coach as lesson time becomes available.
Each club member has a primary coach through LCFSA. A skater’s primary coach is the family’s first point of contact for all things figure skating, including upcoming test sessions, competitions, additional lessons, and more.
If ever a family decides to change coaches, good information about how to do so can be found here: US Figure Skating Coach Guide.
What is the cost of a private lesson?
Families pay separately for ice time and coaching. Ice time is purchased through either LCFSA or Charles Moore Arena depending on the session. Coaches are paid directly for their lessons. At LCFSA, a half-hour private lesson ranges from $20-$40 depending on the coach’s years of coaching experience and training.
The CMA Calendar has “Rink Freestyles” and “LCFSA Club Ice.” What is the difference?
Club ice is purchased by Lower Cape Figure Skating, so LCFSA club members have priority on this ice. Members of other figure skating clubs pay a higher rate for these sessions.
Rink Freestyles are sponsored by the rink. Non-club members and hockey players working with figure skating coaches are eligible to contract this ice as well.
For a parent, the biggest difference is where you buy the ice. (LCFSA ice is through entryeeze, rink freestyles are through the CMA website)
Ice is purchased in 4-6 week “contracts” where you purchase the same ice time each week. If you purchase sessions week-to-week you are purchasing a “walk-on” and will be charged a higher rate. The availability of “walk-ons” depends on how many skaters contracted a session as there’s a limit to how many skaters can skate at one time. This is for the safety of the skaters and coaches.
In order to skate on either club ice or rink freestyles, a skater must have an active USFS, ISI, or LTS USA membership. CMA’s bridge program is the best option for new skaters looking to eventually transition to private lessons and the club.
Where can I buy skates and guards?
Both skates and guards can be purchased at CMA. Our pro shop can order Jackson and Ridell boots depending on a skater’s size and level.
For other boots and blades, families could consider:
*Igloo Skates
*Sharper Edge
*Skating Club of Boston
*Cook’s
A good pair of figure skates can cost anywhere from $200-$1,500+ depending on the skater’s level. US Figure Skating’s Guide to Buying Skates
Where can I get skates sharpened?
Ask your coach for advice on this. Sharpenings are available at CMA (we recommend Dennis Carboni) or through Don Moon, who your coach can connect you to.
Where can I buy a skating costume?
LCFSA hosts multiple dress sales each year, where families can resell dresses their skater has outgrown. This is a great place to start!
While basic skating dresses can be purchased online, we recommend Traveling Stitches for custom dresses.
What is the best way for my skater to carry skates to and from the rink? What should my child have in their skate bag?
Skaters should have a sturdy bag to carry their belongings in. (Zuca and Transpack are two popular brands with kids) Skaters should have both hard and soft guards: Hard guards to protect their blades while walking off-ice, and soft guards (“soakers”) to store their skates with. A rag to wipe blades with after use, a tight-fitting warm layer, a water bottle, gloves, and spare tights or thin socks are also good items to have in a skate bag.
What is expected of parents of club members?
In order to keep the cost of membership at a reasonable rate, we rely on families to help fundraise and complete volunteer hours.
Each club member has a $300 fundraising commitment, which can easily be achieved through club-organized fundraisers.
Additionally, each family must contribute 6 volunteer hours between the Cape Cod Harvest Classic Competition (October), the Cape Cod Spring Classic (April), and the Annual Spring Show (May). These are FUN events to be a part of!
Why do we have to fundraise?
Like most non-profit organizations, the operating cost for our club exceeds the money brought in by membership dues. In addition to purchasing ISI/USFS memberships and insurance for the club, the club helps fund our annual spring show and offers social events for club members throughout the year.
What is USFS?
As a club, we participate in United States Figure Skating’s programming. USFS is the governing body in United States Figure Skating, where skaters learn certain elements to move their way through different levels.
A skater’s primary coach will help guide their skaters through these tests.
Through USFS, skaters test from Pre-Preliminary to Senior, both for moves in the field and free skating. According to USFS, “Moves in the field is a basic skating skills progression. Each test level has several set patterns of turns, edges, spirals, and steps that get progressively more difficult. Free skating and pairs tests require skaters to perform a program with jumps, spins, and step sequences. In order to test a specific level of free skating or pairs test, skaters must first pass the corresponding moves in the field test.”
In US Figure Skating, some competitions are judged by the 6.0 System, while others are judged through the International Judging System.