SAFSA WP

1. INTRODUCTION

Having proper ice etiquette benefits all our skaters and coaches by allowing everyone to have a successful, safe and positive session.

In order to allow our skaters and coaches to have a productive session on the ice, the WP Committee, would like everyone to be aware of what is expected of them.

The following guidelines must be observed for safety reasons. Remember you are not out there on your own, each skater needs to be responsible for everyone else's safety.

2. HERE ARE THE GROUND RULES

• Please be punctual, prompt and prepared. Use your time wisely, plan your practice and practice your plan.
• Skaters are to display good sportsmanship, both on and off the ice, at all times, not just at competitions.
• Only water in plastic water bottles is allowed on the ice.
• Do not stand around talking on the ice, if you need to talk make it brief.
• It is important for everyone's safety that all skaters be aware of other skaters on the ice and try to anticipate their patterns, as you set up your own patterns.
• It is your responsibility to know whose music is playing and give them the right of way.
• If you are a less experienced skater, please be careful and look ahead of you when you are skating to see what others are doing or are about to do.
• If you are a more experienced skater, please be patient with the less experienced skaters, remember you were also once new to these sessions too.
• Remember that the skater who gets in the path of the skater who has the right of way needs to be courteous and offer an apology to the skater and/or coach immediately after the skater has completed their run through and/or section of their programme. Please be understanding if someone gets in your way.
• Always look in both directions when skating away from the barrier.
• Skaters should look before setting up jumps or twizzles prior to executing them. This will help improve the flow on the ice and minimise the risk of collisions.
• Keep moving whilst you are on the ice as it is dangerous for both you and the other skaters to stand still during a session. It is especially important not to stop in the middle of the ice or in any of the jumping corners or at the short barrier for solo dancers.

3. RIGHT OF WAY

• The skater doing their programme run through to music has the right of way. It is your job to be aware of which skater is doing their programme and for you to do your best to stay clear of their pattern and/or programme.
• If, by accident, you get in their way please apologize promptly and sincerely to the skater and the coach.
• Skaters in a lesson have right of way over general skaters in the session.
• Be mindful of skaters having a lesson on the harness.

4. MUSIC

• In terms of the World Health Organisation (WHO) the music should not be played louder than 75 decibels for children and 80 decibels for adults. Please ensure that we follow these guidelines for the health of our skaters and all staff members, both permanent and temporary, of the ice rink to prevent hearing loss which can have lifelong implications.
• Programme music will be played on a rotational basis. This is done on the honour system with the responsibility left to the skaters and the coaches.
• After a skater's music has been played, their music or another programme may be put at the end of the queue to re-enter the rotation. Pattern dance music can be considered as programme music.
• Coaches may put the music of the student they are teaching ahead of other skaters. Everyone should appreciate this policy when they are in a lesson enjoying this privilege and graciously accept this policy when they are being asked to wait in line.
• Please do not stop and start your music especially if others are in the music rotation queue.
• Please handle the music equipment with care.
• INTERNATIONAL ISU COMPETITIONS - one or two weeks prior to an ISU event the skater who is competing may have music priority. Special requests will be posted at the music box.

5. PROHIBITED BEHAVIOUR

• Swearing, kicking, digging holes, scraping or stomping the ice with your blades or toe pick and kicking the barriers is prohibited. Any skater engaging in this behaviour will be asked to leave the session immediately.
• Being verbally abusive to anyone at the rink is prohibited. Any skater engaging in this behaviour will be asked to leave the session immediately and may be referred to the SAFSA WP Committee.
• Deliberately challenging, scaring or intentionally blocking another skater is prohibited.
• Constant bullying or harassment of any kind is a violation of SAFSA's Safeguarding policies. Any skater and/or coach engaging in this kind of behaviour will be asked to leave the rink immediately for an indefinite period of time and may be referred to the SAFSA WP Committee who, if deemed necessary, will escalate the matter.

6. START AND END OF PRACTICE SESSIONS

• Skaters may only step onto the ice for practice once BOTH the Zamboni doors have been closed.
• At the end of your session please clear the ice immediately. Do not wait for the Zamboni driver to hoot. Be respectful as he has a job to perform.

7. TISSUE POLICY

Please ensure that ALL tissues and/or toilet rolls are kept in your own personal bag. No used tissues should be left lying around the hockey box.

8. ZERO TOLERANCE

• We have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY at our rink and failure to comply with the abovementioned policies shall result in your removal from the ice and a loss of privileges for the remainder of the day.
• In the event of such action there will be no refund or credit for the lost session/patch

This policy may be reviewed, amended and/or updated by SAFSA WP Committee to align with the SAFSA National regulations and requirements.