Standing in front of the late Caitlyn Cobean’s hockey jersey to announce the upcoming 2018 Battle of the Blades competition were, from left, co-organizers Brittany Sanderson, Janet Dawson of the Saugeen Shores Skating Club, Rona Cobean of the Caitlyn Cobean’s Community Crusaders and Skating Club President Ken Rhyno.

Hub Staff

Sharpen the skates, and get the toe picks on point, as the Saugeen Shores Skating Club will once again host the Battle of the Blades, April 20, 2018, at the Plex in Port Elgin.

The inaugural event took place in 2016 and saw 15 teams perform to a capacity crowd, in four different divisions that included: Under 12, 12 to 18, Adult and Family. Co-organizer Janet Dawson said that this year 50 percent of the proceeds will go towards the Caitlyn Cobean’s Community Crusaders (CCCC). “We like to partner with a non-profit organization,” said Dawson November 1. “I think it’s important for us to support other local groups that are trying to do good things in the community, and for us we were talking about different options, but it was a pretty short conversation.”

The CCCC was created in memory of Caitlyn Cobean, a Saugeen Shores resident who, in 2008 at the age of 15, lost her battle with brain cancer. CCCC has partnered with the Tara Boom Houstan Children’s Foundation and is dedicated to raising funds to help improve the lives for families whose children have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The collaboration is kismet as Caitlyn Cobean was herself a hockey. Caitlyn’s mother, Rona Cobean, a member of the CCCC, was on hand at the Blades announcement and said that there was “not a chance” she would end up on the ice. “I'm a very good spectator, but our son (Dylan) has stood up and said he will participate in it,” said Cobean.

Former Blades participant, co-organizer and figure skater, Brittany Sanderson, said she came in fourth with her skating partner in 2016, former Winterhawk Matt Turcotte, admitting that one practice a week would be a good idea for anyone thinking about participating, but suggests upping the ante to two practices a week closer to the official performance. As a blades expert Sanderson said to “have fun and pair up with someone that you know because it makes it more fun and exciting.”

Registration is now open with the deadline set for February 2, 2018 and Dawson said that if someone doesn’t have a partner, the skating club will try to them with someone suitable.

Practices will get underway in January on Monday and Thursday evenings and Dawson added that there was plenty of assistance when it comes to creating routines.

“They will have assistance, the music will be provided, sometimes we’ll have a discussion on what kind of music they like and try to match it up with their personalities. It’s usually around a two-minute program, maybe a little bit longer,” said the skating coach.

For more information visit saugeenshoresskatingclub.com/battle-of-the-blades or e-mail ssbotb@gmail.com.

For coverage of the 2016 event, see Capacity Crowd for Battle of the Blades.