MELISSA SARGENT

Melissa is Provincial Coach (Trained). She began both her skating and coaching career with Rideau Lakes. She has been coaching since 2004 and is happy to return to Rideau Lakes this season. Melissa is Special Olympics trained and has had the privilege of working with skaters of all ages and levels from first steps to National level competitors and age 2 to their 70's.

She participated in coaching the Star 1-5 pilot program and has enjoyed mentoring new Canskate and Regional coaches as they start their coaching journey. Melissa attends seminars, information sessions and completes Skate Canada's e-learning courses to stay up to date on the newest techniques and requirements. Some of her favourite seminars include Kurt Browning, Elizabeth Manley and Don Jackson. Melissa uses a team coaching approach to provide as many opportunities to her skaters as possible.

As a skater Melissa completed her Gold Artistic, Skills, Dance and FreeSkate Elements. She returned to competing at both Skate Canada and ISU Adult Figure Skating Competitions in Fall 2022 including the opportunity to represent Canada in Oberstdorf, Germany in May 2024. Melissa was the 2024 Skate Ontario Adult Championship silver medallist in all 3 disciplines – FreeSkate, Artistic and Solo Dance.

Outside of skating Melissa is a graduate of Lakehead University’s Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education and Honours Bachelor of Commerce programs. She is an Ontario Chartered Professional Accountant working as a manager at a private consulting and bookkeeping company focused on Not-For-Profit organizations and rural hospitals. 

Kaelynne Moffitt

Coaching since 2023

Personal Skating Achievements:

• Gold Skating Skills Test
• Gold Artistic Test
• Star 9 Dance Tests
• Star 6 Freeskate
• Provincial Series Competitor

Coaching Education:

• CanSkate Coach Trained
• Power Skate Coach 
• Regional Star Skate Coach

Mentored under:

• Lise Drummond
• Leanne Paisley
• Ann Borteaux

Available to Teach:

• PreCanSkate, CanSkate, Intro to StarSkate and Power Skate
• Star Skate 1 - 5
• Adult Introductory and Bronze Level

Attended Seminars with International Coaches/Competitors:

• Kurt Browning
• Meaghan Duhamel
• Elizabeth Manley
• Robert O' Toole
• Elvis Stojko

Coaching Philosophy:

My philosophy is to create a fun, inclusive and positive environment to introduce individuals to the basis of sports and to enjoy movement while also building upon skills. My skaters should build confidence not only in the sport, but in themselves. I believe in adapting to athletes and pursuing a skater-led session, providing everything required for each individual to succeed. Equity and inclusion is my number one when working with anybody of any age, and it is important that myself, other coaches, parents, athletes and anyone else involved respect those they interact with! I hope to watch all my skaters grow physically, mentally and emotionally!

Madyson Porteous

Coaching since 2023

Available to Teach:

• PreCanSkate, CanSkate, Intro to StarSkate