ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not easy to succeed as a figure skater in Iqaluit.

Kaniq Allerton has learned that the hard way, but will have an opportunity to take his career to the next level when he moves to Winnipeg for a year of intensive trainingSA国际影视传媒攁t just 15 years old.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am really excited,SA国际影视传媒� he said just a few days before his departure.

Allerton has been figure skating since he was nine years old, and loved the pastime from the moment he first stepped onto the ice.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a beautiful sport,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 love watching figure skating when they glide gracefully on the ice, and I love the feeling the weightlessness when I jump.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like the feeling of cool air hitting my face while I skate, and I love spinning around the arena.SA国际影视传媒�

Despite his affection for the sport, Allerton quickly began to encounter challenges. Chief among them was the limited ice time in Iqaluit. He and the other athletes on the citySA国际影视传媒檚 small figure skating club were only able to practice at the older, downtown arena, which is considered inferior to the Arctic Winter Games Arena across town. They had to find openings in a schedule dominated by hockey teams and the local speed skating association.

When Allerton and his training partners were able to get time on the ice, the surface was often in bad shape from previous use, which can lead to mistakes and even serious injuries.

His coach has gone so far as to cancel practices due to poor ice conditions.

SA国际影视传媒淭he ice quality is not that great,SA国际影视传媒� he acknowledged. SA国际影视传媒淲e can still skate on it, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 unsafe ice, I would say.SA国际影视传媒�

Dealing with isolation

Being a figure skater in Iqaluit is also somewhat isolating. There are only a few other skaters in town, and even fewer male skaters.

All of this contributed to AllertonSA国际影视传媒檚 decision to move to Winnipeg.

In the Manitoba capital, he will have access to Skate WinnipegSA国际影视传媒檚 experienced coaches, and more importantly, increased access to superior ice.

He will also be surrounded by skaters his age. He has already met some of them during previous competitions in Winnipeg, and has enjoyed getting ice cream and Vietnamese food with them in the city.

Allerton has also connected with the Manitoba Inuit Association and its CEO Nastania Mullin, who will be able to provide important support, should he need it.

The move to Winnipeg, of course, comes with some trepidation. The 15-year-old will be living with a host family, and starting at a new high school. He also admits heSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渁 bit sadSA国际影视传媒� about leaving his family.

There may be tough days, particularly in the early going, but Allerton will ultimately return to Nunavut a stronger, more experienced skater.

While he still has plenty of his own competitive goals, he hopes he can one day share his experience with the next generation of skaters in the territory as a coach. In fact, heSA国际影视传媒檚 dreaming even bigger than that. After some encouragement from his social studies teacher, Cory Allen, at Inuksuk High School, Allerton is considering opening his own figure skating school in the city some day.

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 off to a good start in that regard. While heSA国际影视传媒檚 not yet qualified to coach older kids, he recently had the chance to teach a three-year-old boy, whose parents are from Zimbabwe and South Africa, how to skate for the first time, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

SA国际影视传媒淚 do like teaching children,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淗onestly, I love it. I love teaching children the sport I do and love.SA国际影视传媒�