The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Three years ago, 16-year-old Shilo Baribeau didn't know how to skate. Now she's working towards being a figure skating coach. "A good coach is someone who loves the sport and can pass that love on," says Carla Wabick, Flin Flon's figure skating coach. "Shilo has passion and is a perfectionist," she explains, with a smile. "Biggest part is loving the sport. Passion for sport is what drives you to be a good coach," she says Wabick sees the good attitude Shilo has with younger skaters and her patience. "She enjoys being with little kids,"she says. To Shilo's coach, the skills the native of Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C. has are the desire to be a coach, along with wanting to excel. "Anything she does, she does well," Wabick says. Shilo's father Greg Baribeau is impressed by her dedication. "I don't know how kids find the time," he says. Her father enjoys watching, but not the competitive aspect. Her parents give support by driving her to the rink and filming her, as well as watching her practice from the stands or lobby of the Whitney Forum. What impressed Baribeau most about his daughter is how quickly she has progressed. The only rink available where the family is from is a curling rink. Upon arriving in Flin Flon with her family, Shilo had two options for clubs: gymnastics and figure skating. "She hung onto the boards when starting," recalls Wabick. "She's come a long way in a short period." Shilo has also fallen in love with the sport. "I don't get bored," Shilo says. One of the things she enjoys about figure skating is it's independence. "You don't have to count on others to progress," she explains. "No one else is going to make you better or worse." Does she like how her progression is going? "I'm progressing pretty well," Shilo says. "I work pretty hard when I'm out there." Shilo does have her challenges. "I can't get my axel, I'm frustrated with it," she says. "Field movements have always been pretty easy" That's a psychological problem, says Wabick of the axel. To fix it, Shilo's working on other jumps such as loops and flips to help her get the same position. "Shilo's always working diligently," Wabick says. Her motivation comes from being able to perform well at competitions and progressing at testings. What will it feel like to achieve her goal? "I would be proud of myself," she says, with a small smile. "Getting it isn't the end of the road, then you have to get a job," says Wabick, as it's a long road. There are five different coaching levels with the National Coaching Certification Program, and Wabick says it's likely Shilo will try for her first level in April.7/11/05
