Who we are

SAFSA is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting, controlling, encouraging, advancing, assisting, protecting and generally furthering Figure Skating in the Republic of South Africa, on ice and on synthetic polymeric ice surfaces whether performed using ice skating blades or substitutes simulating such, in the categories of single skating, pair skating, ice dancing and synchronised skating.

Mission Statement

We are committed to promoting and developing fiugre skating on all levels by providing effective leadership, training and standards to all people in South Africa.

Goals & Objectives

To increase the number of participants in the sport;
To maintain and increase access to facilities in South Africa;
To increase media exposure to the sport;
To attract sponsors, funding and grants;
To promote and develop skaters, coaches, judges and other officials;
To improve the standard of the sport in South Africa;
To administer the sport effectively;
To continuously reassess and develop rules and regulations for the sport;
To encourage the formation of clubs and provinces in appropriate areas;
To provide a broader base of international exposure thereby improving our image;
To advance all the disciplines within figure skating; and
To improve the dissemination of information in all areas of operation.

History of Figure Skating

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Ice skating originated at least three thousand years ago with people using bones to slide on ice as a means of communication and transportation. Skating, as it is known today, probably started in the Netherlands, where metal skates fixed in wooden soles and tied to shoes were first used around 1250. Skating for pleasure was developed mainly by the British. The first club was formed in Edinburgh in 1742, while the first national skating association was founded in Britain in 1879. The International Skating Union was established in 1892 as the world’s governing body for both figure and speed skating. The ISU is now the governing body for figure skating, speed skating, short-track speed skating and synchronized skating.

A GENERAL OVERVIEW

The South African Ice Skating Association (SAISA) was established in 1937 and encompassed both figure skating and speed skating disciplines. Professor JYT Greig was the first president, a position he held from 1937 until 1950. It was only really in 1970, when ice rinks began popping up all over the country, that SAISA became a true national controlling body for the sport.

South African became a member of the International Skating Union (ISU) family in 1938 and to date is the only member on the African continent. South Africa is also an affiliated member of the SOUTH AFRICAN SPORTS CONFEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (SASCOC), previously NOCSA, which was formed in 2005.

At the ISU Congress in 1994, Speed Skating split from the then SAISA, and the two bodies SAFSA (South African Figure Skating Association) and SASSA (South African Speed Skating Association) were formed and each became full members of the ISU in their own right and the controlling bodies of their sport in South Africa. At the request of the then NOCSA and National Sports Council (NSC) a “loose” association was formed, i.e. South African Ice Skating Federation (SAISF), as we both have the same international controlling body. Although technically this association is still in place, each association is completely autonomous.

CURRENT RINKS IN SOUTH AFRICA

There are currently three full sized rinks in the country, Cape Town, Vereeniging and Tshwane (Pretoria), two slightly smaller rinks in Gauteng and a half-sized rink in Durban.

Milestones - Down Memory Lane

1909

Mrs. Dale Lace started South Africa’s first ice rink in Johannesburg. This ice rink was likely situated at the South African Party’s club in Eloff Street, Johannesburg (information from Miss Sylvia Strasheim and Rev. Kevin Reynolds’ history of SAISA)

1937

SAISA formed and national headquarters were established in Johannesburg. The first competitions held were mainly ice dancing. The Wembley Ice Rink opened in Springfield, Johannesburg.

1938

South Africa becomes a member of the ISU.

1947

The first national championships were instituted where skating had progressed from only ice dance to singles and pairs skating. Singles sections were mixed men and women.

1955

South Africa’s second rink opened in Durban (this was originally an full size ice rink, but was later reduced to a half-size ice rink) Separate men and women sections were established for competitions.

1970

SAISA assumes true national status and SAISA’s national executive moved to Natal from Southern Transvaal, where it had been headquartered from its inception in 1937.

1971

SAISA’s first official journal – “The Outside Edge” – was established. The Protea Test Series was introduced and SAISA’s draft of a new constitution came into effect.

1972

SAISA National Colours awarded for the first time to administrators and officials.

1973

The first international competition was held in Johannesburg. The Protea Test Series was extended to include dance and pair skating. A decision was also taken to form a National Judges Committee.

1974

The first National Judges Committee was elected. The first proposal to the South African Olympic Committee was made that the then Springbok colours should be awarded to sportsmen and women irrespective of race.

1975

The first inaugural Skate Safari International competition was held in Johannesburg from the 2 – 4 April. Nineteen competitors attended this competition from Austria, Great Britain, Luxembourg, USA, and West Germany and eight South African skaters. It was also the first visit by Howard Bass to this country. Mr. John Shoemaker, first vice-president of the ISU for figure skating, was SAISA’s guest of honour. SAISA’s national public relations directorate was also established

1976

Max Staub, SAISA’s most highly appointed international judge and referee, passed away. Precision team competitions were introduced at national competitions (now known as synchronized skating)

1977

SAISA instituted its highest award – the “Max Staub Star” (designed in the shape of the Star of David). The first two recipients of the award were the president of the ISU, Mr. Jacques Favart and the president of SAISA at that time, Mrs. Pat Jackson.

1978

The ice rink in Port Elizabeth closed. The revised test structure was introduced where two separate tests were instituted for figures and free skating. These tests allowed for skaters to be awarded Springbok Colours for passing the high-grade tests and who were unable to compete in ISU recognized international competitions. The second Skate Safari was held in Johannesburg from the 4 – 8 October.

1979

Aegis Insurance becomes a major sponsor for South African Ice Skating for the next 14 years.

1980

President Jacques Favart of the ISU passed away. Olaf Paulsen of Norway succeeded him.

1983

Derrik Simons was elected “Sportsman of the Year” by the South African Police Force – this was the highest recognition figure skating had yet received in this country.

1992

In the ISU’s centenary year, SAISA was re-admitted to international competition. Two teams participated in the World Championships held in the USA. This marked an absence from ISU recognized international competitions of 23 years! During the period when South Africa were not permitted to participate in ISU recognized event, SAISA still retained our ISU membership of the ISU (of which SAISA is one of the longest serving members) but did not hold a vote. The vote was reinstated in this year at the ISU Congress held in Switzerland. It was also announced at this Congress that Speed Skating would separate from Figure Skating. SAISA was then converted to the South Africa Ice Skating Federation (SAIF) and became the umbrella for the two separate organizations – SAFSA (Figure Skating) and SASSA (Speed Skating).

1994

A small team from figure and speed skating participated in the 1994 Winter Olympics.

1998

Shirene Human sent as a development skater to the Winter Olympics held in Nagano, Japan. She was placed 24th out of 30. Patricia Norton (SAFSA’s current Secretary-General) was the first Chef de Mission appointed for South Africa and only the 4th woman in the world to ever hold such a position.

1999

SAFSA obtained the services of an international coach – Fanis Shakirzianov. He came recommended to South Africa by Tamara Moskvina (ISU accredited Olympic Coach). He and his daughter Marina coached at the Ice Station, Grand West Casino Complex, Cape Town.

2000

Shirene Human was again 24th out of 30 – this time at the Senior World Championships held in Nice, France. She received an official world ranking at this competition.