Our senior and junior-level teams, the Haydenettes and Lexettes, have earned U.S. Figures skating's Team USA designation year after year and work passionately to maintain that designation. The Haydenettes are the 2017 U.S. National Champions and World Team competitors. Their most recent National Championship is their eighth consecutive! The Lexettes are the 2017 U.S. National Silver Medalists, 2017 World Team competitors, and 2017 Mozart Cup Gold Medalists. Both teams have represented the United States at numerous international and world events over many years.
Skaters with experience on other teams are welcome to try out for our senior and junior level teams. We will discuss which team is most suitable for your skating skills.
If you decide to join any one of our National level teams, you will learn the elite aspects of synchronized skating in a competitive, healthy atmosphere. At Hayden Synchro, we have developed a program that has repeatedly proven successful through the years. Our national level teams regularly medal at local, regional, national, international, and world competitions. As an organization, our philosophy is that strong teams are made up of strong athletes. We provide our athletes with numerous off-ice programs to enhance the work they do on the ice including fitness & conditioning, ballet, yoga, and nutrition counseling.
PRACTICES:
What is the practice schedule for next year?
We are currently working on the practice schedule for next season and should have a draft schedule ready by tryouts in spring. This year, the Lexettes and Haydenettes practices four to five times each week. For the upcoming season, practices begin with spring training in May and early June. Summer training begins in late July or early August, and our regular practices resume in September. All scheduled practices are mandatory. If you anticipate missing a mandatory practice, please communicate with your team managers in advance. Hayden Synchro's home rink is the Hayden Recreation Centre, 10 Lincoln Street, Lexington, MA. We also regularly practice at the New England Sports Center at 121 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough, MA, and we occasionally practice at other rinks depending on the time of year and the ice time available at our regular rinks.
COACHES’ EXPECTATIONS:
What do the coaches expect for skating levels/test levels/private coaches?
The Hayden Synchro coaches believe that strong teams are made up of strong
individual skaters. We encourage all skaters to practice individual skills on a
regular basis by taking private lessons and individual skating practice. For all of
our National Level teams, skaters should develop their skills in all skating
disciplines. This means actively practicing moves-in-the-field, freestyle, and ice
dance. At the highest level of the sport, synchronized skating involves jumps,
spins, intricate footwork, and even lifts! The preferred and required test levels for
the Lexettes and Haydenettes are given in the table below. If you have any
questions on the test levels please consult your private coach or ask your private
coach to contact a Hayden Synchro coach. We are more than happy to discuss
our teams with your private coaches and we encourage them to reach out if they
have any questions.
Expected test credentials for each team can be found here.
TUITION:
What is the annual tuition for a National Level team?
At Hayden Synchro, we try to make tuition as simple as possible. Each skater’s
tuition (paid monthly) covers ALL expenses associated with the team: travel, ice
time, coaching, competition expenses, wardrobe, and even most meals and other
expenses associated with the team. We try to avoid any “add-ons” during the
season with exception of certain “new skater” wardrobe items. An initial deposit
upon acceptance with a team is due in March and tuition installments are paid for
6-8 months completing before the competitive season ends. Our fees are
comparable to other competitive synchronized skating organizations. You will
receive a team-specific information packet at try-outs with more information.
Note: Each skater must be a member of United States Figure Skating and the
Hayden Recreation Centre. Membership with the Hayden Recreation Centre
allows your skater to take advantage of inexpensive ice prices at Hayden Club
ice. These costs are individual costs and are not included in team dues.
VOLUNTEERS:
How can I get involved with my skater’s team?
Hayden Synchro would not be where we are today without the incredible support
and contributions from our volunteers. If you decide to join Hayden Syncho, we
ask that all parents serve a minimum of 20 hours a year to help support your
skater, team, and the organization. There are many different ways to get active in
the sport and we encourage you to contact a Team Manager to find out ways to
fulfill your hours.
ALTERNATES:
How do the National Level teams handle alternates?
The National Competing Progression is designed for your skater to learn the elite
aspects of synchronized skating. One aspect of this program is learning how to
be an alternate. All competitive teams have alternates; some international teams
even have 5-10 alternates per team! The Lexettes and Haydenettes usually
have 4 alternates per team.
While all skaters will have the opportunity to skate in the line during practice,
some skaters will not be selected for competition. Coaches will select skaters for
competition any time prior to competition. The group of skaters selected for a
particular competition may not be the skaters who are selected for the next
competition. Skaters on our teams should expect that changing skating positions
and sharing spots is common and an excellent learning experience. Our coaches
firmly believe in the ability to improve individually and will reassess skaters with
every competition.
TRAVEL:
Can I travel with my skater to competitions?
One of the best parts of synchronized skating is the team aspect of the sport. At
all times, we try to promote teamwork between the skaters and team bonding
beyond the time skaters spend on ice with each other. For competitions that
require overnight travel, the national level teams travel as a team with chaperons
as appropriate and prepare for competition as a team. Parents typically travel
individually and stay together at different hotels. For local competitions, skaters
will carpool as a team. Team managers will ask for volunteers to carpool a group
of skater to and from the rinks.
TRYOUTS:
Can I send a video of my skater instead of attending tryouts?
No. Unfortunately, video is not an alternative to tryouts. It is not possible to
accurately evaluate skaters or their ability to perform the skills required by our
coaches on a video. It is important for each skater to be evaluated in the context
of other potential team mates. Please contact us if you are unable to attend our
scheduled tryouts to determine if there is another opportunity.
Who attends tryouts?
All skaters, whether on one of our other teams or not, who wish to be considered
for a team attend our tryouts. Skaters from the current season who are not
changing teams, do not attend tryouts. Our coaches use the input of outside
advisors including US Figure Skating judges to assist with placement choices –
as such all skaters are required to wear a number that we provide for easier
identification in the tryout process.
Can parents observe the tryouts?
No. Tryouts are closed to all spectators to allow skaters to fully concentrate and
perform at their best without the distraction of an audience.
We hope these questions have provided you with some basic information about
the Lexettes and Haydenettes. Please feel free to contact us at the specific email
addresses for the National level teams located on our website. We look forward
to seeing you at our tryouts in spring!
Hayden Synchronized Skating Teams, Inc.
P.O. Box 493
Lexington, MA 02420