AGE CATEGORIES
For National Championship and Age based races, skaters are classified into specific age groups, split according to birth sex. All age categories are based on the age of the skater at or before the 31 December in the year of the competition as shown below:
Mini – 6 – 9 years of age (minimum age 6 years on day of competition)
Pupil – 10 – 12 years
Cadet – 13 -14 years
Youth – 15 – 16 years
Junior – 17 – 18 years
Senior – 19 years and over
Master – 30 years +
RELAYS
Relay teams are split into the following age categories:
Pupil and Cadet
Youth, Junior, Senior and Masters
ABILITY CATEGORIES
For domestic (club) and some other events, ability categories are utilised. Skaters are placed into categories according to their ability, irrespective of gender/sex. Category 1 is the highest category featuring the top skaters of the entries received, cascading downwards according to ability. Categories fluctuate according to entries received for that particular event. For example, a skater may find themselves in category 4 for an event with a higher number of registrations, but category 3 for a lower subscribed event – not due to an improvement in ability, but as a result of the calibre of skaters who have entered.
Category 2A is a wildcard category consisting of adult skaters and those between the ages of 16 and 17 who do not meet the speed requirements of the faster (higher) categories but are considerably older than those in their traditional ability category (i.e. children), and often consists of skaters of mixed ability. This ensures that these skaters also have an enjoyable race event without the discomfort that may arise from skating against children, and has resulted in a number of skaters taking part who may not have otherwise, which is excellent for the sport.
Novice is a standalone category for very young or very new skaters, giving them the opportunity to essentially “try before you buy” (main races or Memberships). Novice skaters are entered by selecting the appropriate option on the registration forms. Novice skaters are permitted below the age of 6 years however we ask that no children below the age of 4 are entered.
Ability Categories are set by the FISS Categories Officer. Skaters have the opportunity at each event to perform well enough to merit a promotion to a higher category, by out skating those in their current category and demonstrating that they are capable of performing well in the one above. Skaters who perform as expected will remain in their current category. Those who do not perform as expected may be moved into a lower category in order to better facilitate their growth and racing experience.