FAQ’s
EFSC BASICS
What is EFSC?
EFSC is the Eugene Figure Skating Club.
Where is EFSC located?
EFSC is based in Eugene, Oregon.
Where is your home rink?
Our home rink is The Rink Exchange, located on the Lane County Fairgrounds at 796 W. 13th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97405. http://www.therinkexchange.com
How can I contact you?
Email us at sk8eugene@gmail.com
Is EFSC a member of US Figure Skating (USFS)?
Yes! EFSC has been an official USFS member club since 1990.
Is EFSC a non-profit organization?
Yes, we are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Our tax ID is 93-1022477.
I would love to volunteer. How can I get more involved?
Our non-profit organization is run entirely by a dedicated group of volunteers who can always use your help! We have a wide variety of tasks that can be done at home or at the rink. Please contact us at sk8eugene@gmail.com.
Does EFSC do fundraising?
Yes, EFSC regularly engages in fundraising events throughout the year. In the fall we hold our Annual Poinsettia and Wreath Sale, in the winter we hold our Annual Frozen 5k Event, we schedule several Dine & Donate Events during the year and we have raffles available at all of our shows, events and competitions.
Is EFSC ever in the news?
They Tried It!
KMTR Morning Anchors Angele Yamamoto and Zach Bruhl join us for a skating lesson…
Just Try It: Figure Skating | KMTR (nbc16.com)
Eugene figure skater Perry Johnston heads to Disney on Ice
Congratulations Perry!
Eugene figure skater heads to Disney on Ice | News | kezi.com
Ice dancing gaining popularity!
January 2, 2023 By Christy McCaslin (Edit)
Check out this great story by one of our skaters, Jaewon Jung.
EFSC and The Rink Exchange
Where is EFSC’s home rink?
The Rink Exchange is located on the Lane County Fairgrounds at 796 W. 13th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97405. http://www.therinkexchange.com
Is EFSC affiliated with the ice rink?
No, EFSC is a separate, non-profit organization that is run entirely by volunteers. We rent the ice for all our events including freestyle sessions, group skating lessons, workshops, shows and competitions.
Can you tell me about the history of the rink?
The Rink Exchange officially opened as Lane County Ice Arena on December 22, 1989, after extensive community effort convinced the Lane County Commissioners and the Fair Board that an ice arena in the old horse arena at the fairgrounds could work. The grand opening skating exhibition featured Tonya Harding, at that time the top figure skating competitor from the Northwest. Our group lessons had waiting lists for classes and full rosters at every level, while public session skaters waited in line for a chance to skate. The initial coaching roster had a dozen or more coaches in order to meet the demand of group and private instruction skaters.
By 1995 the figure skating program included freestyle sessions for private coaching opportunities, and clinic ice for power and ice dancing practice. With the popularity of the annual holiday ice show productions and ISI team competitions, additional clinics were added for performance teams and synchronized skating. Our week-long Skate Camp was introduced in 1990 and the rink held its first annual ISI Love to Skate Competition in February 1992. Not long after that the new Eugene Figure Skating Club began to hold invitational USFS competitions and the “skating bear” became a staple of the Club’s fund raising efforts. In 1994, and again in 2000, the EFSC hosted the Pacific Coast Sectionals Synchronized Skating Competition. These tremendously successful events helped to put the Club “on the map”.
There are some very special memories in our 20 year history, not the least of which are the skating extravaganzas held during the Lane County Fair. In 1990 Richard Dwyer, Mr. Debonair, brought the first fair show for a six-day, two shows a day performance run. Even our Lane County Ice coaches, including Vance Kirklin and Cindy Jensen, skated in that first big production at the Ice Center. In the years that followed we enjoyed many wonderful fair shows featuring Scott Hamilton, Peter and Kitty Caruthers, Brian Orser, Elizabeth Manley and Paul Wylie. Local skaters have had great experiences producing the Country Coach Shows as well as our traditional holiday show, which benefits the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
The Rink Exchange has become a regional mecca for hockey with a strong Learn to Play program. The Lane Amateur Hockey Association has been a mainstay of the Rink Exchange from the beginning producing both a house league and a travel league. With the reemergence of an elite level Junior B team, hockey is proving to be both a recreational and competitive power at the Rink Exchange. It is great to see beginning hockey instruction coexisting with beginning figure skating classes in group lessons and our schedule allows for both groups to get the ice they need for their programs at all levels of performance and play.
Through the years the Rink Exchange has sustained a solid core program of group lessons and clinics, as well as maintain special traditions such as the Holiday Show. The Rink Exchange currently has outstanding figure skating coaches and continues to provide a solid instructional program with a wide variety of skating opportunities.
WHY CALL IT THE RINK EXCHANGE….
A twitter follower simply asked, “Why is it called the Rink Exchange.”
As with most things that seem simple on the surface, the answer is quite a bit more complicated and speaks to the history of the place itself. So, let’s call this the ultimate TT.
The ice rink itself was built (well repurposed) back in 1989. It was a project Lane County completed with the help of a lot of local citizens many of whom still skate at the rink today. The building used to be a Horse Barn. The rink, in the first few years, was incredibly popular with a pretty large user base, especially when it came to public skating.
Fast forward to 2010 and for various reasons, with the County itself facing large budget cuts of its own, they decided that the rink was no longer an asset it wanted to finance directly. The rink itself was losing close to $250k per year and by some estimates needed over $1 million in maintenance upgrades.
At the same time (since 2005) the Eugene Generals had been operating in the facility as the area’s premiere hockey team playing at the Junior level. When 2010 came along, and the rink decided it needed to shutdown, the Generals came to an agreement with the County that allowed it to operate the facility. The asset (building, land, etc.) would remain public property, but the operations (maintenance, staff, etc.) would be a private venture.
As with all things of this nature, the first year was a “kick the tires” kind of year. The Generals were asked to operate some sections of the rink (namely Public Skating Sessions, some scheduling, and the pro shop) while others including staff and private ice rental remained under the County domain.
With the pro shop being operated privately, it needed a name. At the time, it was assumed that the model that was established would remain. The Generals would only operate public skating sessions and the store. So the team needed to come up with a name that kind of equated with with the Generals. Some on the staff had served in military circles and the name needed a Generals theme. Given it was a store, the name Rink Exchange was crowned. An exchange on a military base is a store where goods and services are bought and sold. It was a good description of exactly what was going on at the time at the Rink. The Rink Exchange was the middle man between the public and the County in exchanging goods and services (namely ice).
Well, as luck would have it, the roles grew, rather quickly. Soon the Exchange had it’s own phone number, email addresses, and services. Little by little, the roles increased from operating the pro-shop to running the entire facility completely independently but in partnership with the County. This occurred in June of 2011. By then, the name kind of stuck. The internal users already knew it as the Rink Exchange and with any brand, we just decided it needed to be introduced to the public.
To this day, it really is an Exchange with the ice being the primary good. But services are a huge part as well with major user groups participating in the development of ice sports as well as Rink Exchange run programs such as Adult League, Adult Learn to Play, and Learn to Play for Youth.
The Rink is growing and in some circles larger now than ever in the past. Public skating sessions routinely fetch 150 plus skaters and during the Christmas season that number grows to be over 200 plus skaters. The youth hockey program now sports over 250 participants (a large size as a percentage of the population) and there are now 16 adult league teams playing out of the Rink.
The Annual Eugene Figure Skating Holiday Show brings participants from all over the region and brings in upwards of 500 viewers of the show and unwrapped toy donations at this event benefits the local “Relief Nursery”.
So as you can see, it really is an Exchange that has brought Ice Sports back into the forefront of the community.
Skating Lessons – Group and Private
I’m a new skater…do you have any tips for me?
TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST DAY
- For young skaters and beginners, a safety helmet may be worn. Be sure they fit comfortably and snug to protect the forehead. Do not wear anything under or attach anything to it.
- Wear attire that gives you the ability to move about freely.
- Layers along with a jacket will keep you warm and allow for removal as you become warmer.
- Hats and gloves or mittens will keep your head and hands warm, as well as protect you while learning to skate.
- Lightweight or thinner socks work best. Bulkier, thicker socks limit support and create uncomfortable bumps inside your boots.
SKATES
Note: be aware that rental skates are designed to fit everyone. Shoe size also does not necessarily match skate size.
Boots should be snug, giving toes just enough wiggle room without pinching.
The rule of thumb: the closer the fit, the more control.
Heel should be snug without being able to lift up.
Solid support is necessary for staying upright.
What do I need for my first class?
Please come dressed in skating attire – dress in layers, gloves, hats, helmets, etc.
Pick-up rental skates, if needed (remember to return them after class)
What is the LTS Administrative Fee?
Learn To Skate USA Admin Fee: $50 per skater, annually. Due once a season (between July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) to cover insurance, administration, magazine subscription, progress book and materials. All skaters will need to pay this fee for Fall ’25 session as its the first session of the new season.
What if I need to miss a group lesson?
Please note that all registered participants are eligible for one make-up lesson per session. There are no refunds for missed lessons without prior arrangements.
How important is it to have my own skates?
You don’t need your own skates, you can rent them.
I’m an adult. Is it too late to start ice skating?
No! It’s never to late to learn.
My child loves skating. Should they enroll in both the Tuesday and Saturday classes?
You can do that is you wish.
I think my child’s group class is too easy/hard for their skating level. Who should I talk to?
Talk to you coach.
I have passed all the Learn to Skate Classes. What’s next?
You can take private lessons.
When should a skater start private lessons? How do I find a private coach?
For more information about taking private lessons, or help in selecting a coach, please download the
Private Lesson Request Form ; add your responses to the form, save the form on your computer, then email as an attachment to:
sk8eugene@gmail.com. We will respond as soon as we can.
Freestyle Sessions and Skater Training
What is the difference between a club freestyle and a rink freestyle? How do I know if the freestyle is a club or rink session?
To guarantee a regular schedule of freestyle sessions, EFSC reserves and rents the ice for a higher level of skating practice than the public sessions allow. These sessions are called “club or EFSC freestyles” and are Tuesday evenings, Friday mornings and Saturday mornings and are paid before the session online through this website (see FREESTYLE PAGE). The Rink Exchange has scheduled other freestyle sessions throughout the week that are not EFSC sponsored. These sessions are called “rink freestyles” and are typically labeled as “RX Freestyle” and can be paid for at the front desk upon arrival.
Can I be an Apprentice Instructor?
EFSC does accept a limited number of Apprentice Instructors. You must be at least 12 years old; completed FreeSkate level 3; register as an instructor on the Learn-to-Skate website yearly; take the instructor certification exam; be a full EFSC member in good standing.
When should a skater start practicing on freestyle sessions?
Info to come.
When can a skater start competing or testing?
Info to come.
Memberships
What are the benefits of joining the Eugene Figure Skating Club?
EFSC membership allows you to:
- Be part of and contribute to a dedicated figure skating community
- Perform in EFSC shows and exhibitions
- Receive advance and targeted notifications of EFSC, USFS, & OSC activities & programs
- Receive discounts to EFSC freestyles and workshops and Learn to Skate classes
- Test at USFS-sponsored test sessions
- Compete at USFS-sanctioned events
- Participate in USFS qualifying events
- Represent your club at regional, sectional and national events
- Participate in all USFS-sanctioned events
- Participate in EFSC Member meetings and activities
- Vote in EFSC elections (depending on membership type & age)
Members also receive the following benefits:
- Special offers and discounts from USFS-rate partner
- Certificates of accomplishment for passing proficiency tests and placing at USFS qualifying events (athletes)
- USFS test pins awarded at the annual Spring Meeting/End-of-Season Party
- Subscription to SKATING magazine
- Individually numbered USFS membership card
- Coverage under U.S. Figure Skating’s sports accident insurance policy
If I am taking Learn to Skate Classes does that mean I am a member of EFSC?
Info to come.
When do memberships start and end?
The skating year is from July 1 through June 30, so all memberships begin on July 1 and go through June of the following year.
EFSC Documents and Board of Directors
Club Documents
Attach the following Links (all under Club Membership & Information Club News):
Constitution (May 2015)
Injury Waiver 2023-2-24 (pdf printable form)
EFSC-CodeofConduct
Conflict Resolution Policy (ver.060917)
U.S. Figure Skating Member Code of Conduct (Safesport)
Safe-Sport-Statement-for-Membership-Renewal-05072018
Draft Whistleblower Policy (ver.050917)
Member-Privileges-Policy-050718
Who is serving on the EFSC Board of Directors?
When does the EFSC Board of Directors hold meetings?
How can I contact the EFSC Board of Directors?
You can email the president at efsc.clubpresident@gmail.com or the club’s main email at sk8eugene@gmail.com.
Where can I find minutes from board meetings?
link will be provided
Extra Information
Where are other ice rinks in Oregon?
Medford (south of Eugene) – http://www.therrrink.com/
Sherwood (south of Portland) – http://sherwoodicearena.com/
Lloyd Center (Portland) – http://www.lloydice.com/
Winterhawks (west Portland) – http://winterhawksskatingcenter.com/
Mountainview (northeast Portland in Vancouver) – http://www.mtviewice.com/
Bill Collier Ice Arena in Klamath Falls – http://klamathicesports.org/
Seventh Mountain Resort Ice Rink near Bend – Closed March to Novemberhttp://seventhmountain.com/recreation/cold-weather-activities/ice-skating/
The Pavilion in Bend – Closed May – October
http://www.bendparksandrec.org/the-pavilion/drop-in-skate-sessions/
The Village at Sunriver Ice Rink – Closed March – November
http://villageatsunriver.com/directory-of-businesses/name/ice-skating/
The Rink Exchange in Eugene –
http://www.therinkexchange.com/index.html
SUMMER SKATING: Some ice arenas are closed during summer months. All have varying closure dates. Please check each website for more information, this includes our ice arena, The Rink Exchange in Eugene, which is generally closed May 1- August 15.
Also, call first for updated skating schedules, as sometimes there
are events that may cause changes/cancellations.
