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From the first organized skating clubs in the 19th century to decades of Olympic and World success, figure skating has been woven into Canada’s sporting and cultural fabric. Canadian skaters have shaped the sport as innovators, artists, champions, and builders - sometimes dominating internationally, other times quietly influencing its evolution from behind the scenes. O Canada! brings together stories of the athletes, coaches, rinks, and defining moments that helped define Canadian skating history.
Forgotten Canadian Figure Skating Champions
John Zalvidar Machado, A Forgotten Canadian Champion With An Unforgettable Story
John Zalvidar Machado made history as the first Canadian Figure Skating Champion of Cuban heritage, breaking new ground in a sport that rarely reflected that diversity at the time. His journey is a powerful reminder that Canada’s skating story has always been shaped by athletes from many cultures — even when their contributions have been largely forgotten
Topics: John Z. Machado, Cuban Canadians in history, Canadian figure skating history
Serpentines and Scales: The Dorothy Jenkins McCurry Story
The fascinating story of Ottawa-born skater Dorothy Jenkins, a Canadian skating star of the roaring twenties who won national titles and even qualified for the Winter Olympics before choosing to pursue a career in contralto singing instead.
Topics: Dorothy Jenkins McCurry, Canadian figure skating history, 1920s Canadian figure skaters, Canadian contralto singers
Put Your Hands Together for Biddy Bonnycastle
Revisit the trailblazing career of Veronica Clarke - better known as Biddy Bonnycastle — one of Canada’s most accomplished yet overlooked skaters of the 1930s. A multiple Canadian medallist and North American Champion, Biddy combined technical skill with showmanship, carving out a legacy that deserves far greater recognition in Canadian figure skating history.
Topics: Veronica Clarke, Biddy Bonnycastle, Canadian figure skating history
A Western Wonder: The Roger Wickson Story
Read about life and competitive career of Canadian figure skater Roger Wickson, a Vancouver‑born talent who made history as the first man from British Columbia to win the Canadian senior men’s title in 1949.
Topics: Roger Wickson, figure skating in British Columbia, Canadian figure skating history
The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating
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How much do you really know about Canadian figure skating? The Almanac of Canadian Figure Skating is a comprehensive reference book crammed with fascinating facts and figures you simply can't find online. Peruse biographies of hundreds of skaters, coaches, choreographers, judges and builders... including many incredible people you have never even heard of. Explore detailed records of Canadian figure skating competitions dating back to the 19th century, including complete results of the Canadian Championships from the early 20th century to the present day. If you love Canadian figure skating, you will be fascinated by the information in this book!
Great Canadian Coaches and Choreographers
One Of A Kind: The Osborne Colson Story
Celebrate the life of legendary Canadian figure skating coach Osborne "Ossie" Colson. From the top of the podium at the Canadian Championships to the Ice Follies and Cricket Club, this piece captures Mr. C's wit, humour, and unforgettable anecdotes, showing a man whose larger-than-life personality was as memorable as his legacy on ice.
Topics: Osborne Colson, Ossie Colson, Ellen Burka, Ice Follies, Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club, Canadian figure skating coaches
Interview with Sarah Kawahara
Emmy Award winning Canadian choreographer Sarah Kawahara has crafteed iconic programs for champions like Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, and Oksana Baiul. Trained under Osborne Colson and a former professional skater herself, she has blended artistry, music, and movement to create programs that are both technically precise and deeply expressive. In this interview, she reflects on adapting her choreography to each skater’s strengths and the creative challenges that have shaped her prolific career.
Topics: Sarah Kawahara, figure skating choreographers, Canadian figure skating history
A Virtuso from Vienna: The Edi Rada Story
Edi Rada, 1948 Olympic Bronze Medallist and 1949 European Champion, became a key figure in British Columbia’s skating scene after retiring from competition. Emigrating from Austria to Canada, Rada settled in the Vancouver area. He coached at the Vancouver Skating Club and later became the first club professional at the North Shore Winter Club, mentoring a generation of B.C. skaters, including Karen Magnussen.
Topics: Edi Rada, Canadian figure skating coaches, Canadian figure skating history
Behind-The-Scenes Builders
Pierrette Paquin Devine: A Canadian Figure Skating Pioneer
Pierrette Paquin Devine was a barrier-breaking Canadian figure skating judge. A former Canadian Champion, Paquin Devine made history as the first Canadian woman to judge at an ISU Championship event, in the 1960s. She later became the first Canadian woman to referee at an ISU Championship in ice dance, breaking ground for women at a time when judging was very much an "old boy's club".
Topics: Pierrette Paquin, Pierrette Paquin Devine, Canadian figure skating judges, Canadian figure skating history, women in figure skating judging
An Unconventional Leader: The Herbert Larson Story
Herbert R. Larson was a pioneering Canadian figure skating leader whose influence extended far beyond Saskatchewan. Originally from Lost River, Saskatchewan, he helped establish the Western Canada Section of the Canadian Figure Skating Association to give Western skaters a stronger voice and more opportunities at national events, and served as President of the Canadian Figure Skating Association.
Topics: Herbert Larson, Herb Larson, Herbert R. Larson, Canadian Figure Skating Association, figure skating in Saskatchewan
Approach The Bench: Canada's World and Olympic Figure Skating Judges
Let's see how many names you can recognize! Meet the often‑overlooked Canadian officials — judges, referees, and technical specialists who have dedicated countless hours to figure skating behind the scenes, representing Canada as officials at the Olympics and World Figure Skating Championships.
Topics: Canadian figure skating judges, Canadian figure skating officials, Canadian figure skating history
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Historic Rinks and Skating Clubs
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The Halifax Skating Rink
In 1862, the Halifax Skating Club was formed by a spirited group of skating lovers who first took to the ice on Griffin’s Pond in the Horticultural Society’s Grounds (today’s Halifax Public Gardens). By early 1863 the club had built one of the earliest covered ice rinks in Canada — a permanent 60‑by‑180‑foot structure with gas lighting and a bandstand that became a focal point for masquerades, live music and skating parties. Membership was exclusive, and the rink quickly filled to capacity, bringing residents together for elegant skating and the introduction of new forms of ice dance, including the waltz. The rink stood until 1889, when fire and growing competition from newer facilities led to its demolition.
Topics: Halifax Public Gardens, Halifax Skating Rink, Canadian figure skating history
The Minto Skating Club Fires
The Minto Skating Club is one of Canada’s oldest and most storied skating clubs, founded in the Edwardian era at the invitation of the then Governor General, the Earl of Minto. From its early days at the Rideau Skating Rink in Ottawa, the Club played a central role in Canadian skating, producing many great champion skaters - including Canada's first Olympic Gold Medallist and World Figure Skating Champion, Barbara Ann Scott.
Remarkably, the Club endured two major fires in its history. The first came in 1907, when the Rideau Skating Rink was destroyed by flames, forcing the skating community to regroup and rebuild. Decades later, in 1949, the rink the Club's new rink on Waller Street was again consumed by fire. Both times, members rallied, rebuilding and relocating so that the Club could continue training skaters and contributing to Canada’s figure skating legacy. Read about both fires here:
The 1907 Minto Skating Club Fire
The 1949 Minto Skating Club Fire
Topics: Minto Skating Club, Ottawa figure skating, Canadian figure skating clubs
The Skate Canada Hall of Fame