From the cover

Essex Synchro Skating Classic November 14, 2026 Hosted by the Essex Skating Club of NJ, Inc.

Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain West Orange, NJ

ICompetition overview

The Essex Skating Club of NJ, Inc. will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of U.S. Figure Skating, as set forth in the current rulebook, and/or current Compete USA handbook as well as any pertinent updates that have been posted on the U.S. Figure Skating website.

This competition is open to all eligible, restricted, reinstated or readmitted persons as defined by the Eligibility Rules.

Skaters must be a currently registered member of a U.S. Figure Skating member club and Compete USA events) Learn to Skate USA®, collegiate club or who is an independent member in accordance with the current rulebook. For non-U.S. citizens, please refer to the rulebook for more information.

Synchronized Skating

For test requirements, please select the statement below that best applies to your competition.

• For synchronized skating teams, skating skills test requirements are as of the entry deadline.

Events Offered

• U.S. Figure Skating Program Requirements: usfigureskating.org --> Skate --> Compete --> Program Requirements
• Compete USA Program Requirements: learntoskateusa.com/competeusa
• Skate United: For any Skate United (S.U.) Athlete, please have them register for their appropriate level under the 'standard' option. Once the registration is complete, the following form must be submitted to the competition chair via email at essexsynchro2026@gmail.com.
  • Click here for the Skate United Athlete Form.
  • If you have questions about how to support Skate United Athletes at your competition, email events@usfigureskating.org.
• Skating Accommodation Memorandum (S.A.M.): Skaters using a S.A.M. must submit their S.A.M. to the competition chair via email at essexsynchro2026@gmail.com.
  • Click here for more information about S.A.Ms.
  • If you have questions about on how to support skaters using S.A.Ms, email events@usfigureskating.org.

On the program requirements page linked above, competitions that fall within the date range beside the program requirements must use those requirements.

Our community

U.S. Figure Skating is dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging and community that is welcoming for all individuals. We are committed to championing diversity, equity and inclusion and understanding its value in combating discrimination and challenging inequalities necessary to develop champions both on and off the ice. We are actively working toward developing equitable practices and policies that foster safety and empower all individuals to authentically pursue their unique path in all areas of our sport. We stand firmly on the belief that our members are the most important asset to our organization and that our differences are meaningful and strengthen our sport. We believe that skating is for everyone.

Non-discrimination

U.S. Figure Skating commits in policy, principle and practice to sustain a non-discriminatory approach on and off the ice for all members. We strive to provide equal opportunity for all despite their varied backgrounds, experiences and identities, and want all members to feel valued and respected at every level of organization. U.S. Figure Skating's SkateSafe® Program receives, investigates and addresses allegations of discrimination or harassment throughout its membership and the organization. Please refer to the SkateSafe® Program Handbook for further definition of harassment, discrimination and abuse.

By attending this event, all participants are willingly committing to upholding U.S. Figure Skating's Code of Ethics ( GR 2.00 ) and Code of Conduct ( GR 3.00 ), as detailed within the U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook.

To report a concern of discrimination or harassment to U.S. Figure Skating, please visit www.USFigureSkating.org/SkateSafe or email SkateSafe@USFigureSkating.org.

Athlete assistance/accommodations

Should a skater with disabilities require any specific accommodations or assistance for their competitive event, please submit your approved S.A.M to the Competition Chair by the registration deadline at essexsynchro26@gmail.com.

Compliance

For full details about participant compliance requirements, refer to the U.S. Figure Skating SkateSafe® webpage: https://www.usfigureskating.org/skatesafe#compliance

Coaches

To be an eligible coach at a nonqualifying competition, coaches must meet the applicable compliance requirements and be verified by U.S. Figure Skating. Coach compliance falls into two categories, Coach Compliance (including choreographers) and Learn to Skate USA® Instructor Compliance. Details regarding compliance requirements can be found in Members Only, click the blue 'COACH' button. All compliance requirements must be met at the time of check-in to access the competition, no exceptions.

Coaches of foreign athletes: If you are a coach of a foreign athlete only, you are not subject to U.S. Figure Skating coach compliance and will only be asked to provide a letter of good standing for the federation your athlete represents.

Two coaches and two team service personnel credentials will be distributed to each team.

Team service personnel

Teams are permitted a maximum of two team service personnel. Team service personnel must have a current U.S. Figure Skating or Learn to Skate USA® membership, a green lighted background check and completed SafeSport™ Training. All compliance requirements must be met at the time of check-in to access the competition, no exceptions. Team service personnel is defined as those indicated as a team manager and/or team service personnel planning to attend the competition with the team.

Mandatory athletes (Required if you are offering any team or partner events)

Athletes age 18+ as of the competition start date who will be competing on a team (i.e., synchro, ice dance, pairs, shadow dance, theatre, etc.) with at least one Minor Athlete must complete SafeSport™ Training. *

Minor athletes who turn 18 mid-season are encouraged to seek parental consent to take the online SafeSport™ Training early to avoid any disruptions in their ability to participate as the training is required upon turning 18. The athlete will not be compliant until they have completed the training and their Members Only portal reflects completion. Please email skatesafe@usfigureskating.org for instructions or questions regarding parental consent.

IIRegistration information

Music submission/upload

Music uploads for all IJS events must be uploaded into Entryeeze no later than November 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Competition music for all events that require music must be submitted electronically via the online registration system by the music deadline of November 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm. After you have paid for your events, the system will prompt you to upload your music for each event that requires music. If your music is not available at that time, you can logout of your account and return later to upload your music by logging in to your account and going to the 'competition' tab and then selecting 'my music'. Your music must meet the following criteria:

9. File Format: MP3 or M4a (the online system will automatically check this)
10. Bit Rate: 192 kbps or higher (this will be checked by the music chairperson and they may request you upload a corrected file)
11. Sample Rate: 44,100 kHz (this will be checked by the music chairperson and they may request you upload a corrected file)

1. Leaders and trailers (the silence or "dead space" before and after the actual start and end of the program music) may not exceed two (2) seconds. We prefer that there be NO leaders or trailers at all. Excessive leaders and trailers may disrupt the playing of the music during competition.

Competitors must also bring a copy of their competition music on a digital device such as a phone or a zip/thumb drive as a backup in case of technical difficulties.

• Anyone not submitting their music by the deadline date will be assessed a $50.00 admin fee per segment collected before the skater is allowed to skate. Anyone needing to change their music after the music deadline will be assessed a $25.00 change fee per segment collected before the skater is allowed to skate. Please make sure you have uploaded the correct music!

Planned program content (ppc) submission/upload - for IJS events only

Planned Program Content information must be submitted in Entryeeze no later than October 11, 2026 at 11:59pm. Late fee for submitting PPC information will be $50.

Refund policy

Entry fees will not be refunded after entry deadline unless no competition exists or the event is canceled. There will be no refunds for medical withdrawals. Refunds will not be issued for any other reason.

Liability

• U.S. Figure Skating, Learn to Skate USA®, The Essex Skating Club of NJ, Inc, Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain, and the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation accept no responsibility for injury or damage sustained by any participant in this competition. This is in accordance with Rule 1600 of the official U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook.

IIICompetition details

Facilities

Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052

https://essexcountyparks.org/south-mountain/codey-arena

The arena is 200' X 85'. The rink temperature is comfortable, but can be cold, outside weather depending. There is a snack bar in the arena and fast food outlets across Northfield Avenue

Ready rooms

Locker rooms and changing areas will not be available this competition. All athletes are expected to arrive at the arena ready (costumes, hair, make-up etc.). Athletes will be provided with an area to put skates on but changing will not be permitted in these spaces.

U.S. Figure Skating Travel Policy

Updated 6/30/2026 All travel must strictly adhere to Two-Deep Leadership requirements. An Adult Participant cannot transport a Minor Athlete one-on-one and Two-Deep Leadership requirements must be adhered to at all times during In-Program travel, by transporting at least two minors who are at least 8 years of age or a second Adult Participant. An Adult Participant cannot share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with a Minor Athlete(s). Full details of the SkateSafe® Travel Policy and any exceptions can be found starting on page 12 of the SkateSafe® Handbook.

Official website & updates

The Club website is https://essexskatingclub.org. It is the responsibility of each coach, team manager or team service personnel to check the website frequently for any schedule changes and/or additional information pertaining to the competition.

A QR Code will be provided with both the starting orders and results once the schedule has been published.

Schedule

Competitors may be scheduled on any day or time during the announced dates of the competition. The competition and practice ice schedule will be available after the close of entries. All participants will be notified via email once available.

Practice ice

Practice ice may become available, depending on the number of teams that register. Notification of the availability of practice ice will be posted on the Entryeeze site and the Essex Skating Club website. Should there be sufficient time for unofficial practice ice, each team will be limited to one slot. Please refer to Rule 2931 and any additional applicable rules in the USFS Rulebook for the time allotments for each competitive level. Should practice be available, the cost will be $75 per session, and each team will be limited to one session of the amount of time listed in Rule 2931 of the 2026-2027 Rulebook

Onsite check-in

On-Site on the day of the competition will open two hours prior to the posted start of the competition. The registration desk will be located outside of Rink 1 of the Richard J. Codey Arena. Teams must register as a whole, by the coach or team manager only.

Awards

Medals will be awarded to all skaters and designated alternates for who place 1st , 2nd , 3rd or 4th . The awards schedule will be posted in the arena on the day of the competition.

Volunteer info

There are many volunteer opportunities available both leading up to the Competition, as well as the day of the event. All volunteer opportunities will be available through SignUp Genius. Please be prepared for a shift of two to three hours.

Volunteers are needed for registration, locker room escorts, official's hospitality, first aid, runners, and ice monitors. Each volunteer slot will be three hours, so please schedule accordingly. All volunteers must be SkateSafe compliant. Please contact the Essex Skating Club at essexskatingclub@gmail.com for additional information and a link to volunteer

Photo/video

Live and on-demand streaming, and sales and distribution of U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned and approved events, programs, and activities that include the playback of music is strictly prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to the distribution of footage that does not include music. Questions about this can be directed to music@usfigureskating.org.

A live streaming link for the events will be provided, but there will be no audio simulcast with the video feed.

Additional information

• Email essexsynchro24@gmail.com for participating local hotels
• Newark Liberty Airport is the most convenience airport, only 20 minutes from the arena
• Vendors will not be at this competition
• Website for the competition is Essexskatingclub.org
• Tentative schedule will be available approximately one week prior to the competition.

Blocks of rooms have been reserved through Traveling Teams. Their phone number is 248-962-6518, and their website is seanm@travelingteams.com

Contact information

The email address for the competition is essexsynchro2026@gmail.com, and the Essex Skating Club of NJ, Inc. website is Contact ESC.

For questions, please contact the following individuals: