Our Coach

Raymond Naismith

Raymond’s skating career includes competing at the Novice, Junior and Senior Canadian levels in Singles. He passed his Gold Dance tests, as well as, Canadian and ISU Gold tests in Singles.

At 11 years old he started Ballet at the Banff School of Fine Arts in the summer sessions and at various studios in Toronto during the Winter Season. The dance training continued at York University which included Ballet, Ballet jazz, Martha Graham technique, Merce Cunningham and choreography to obtain his BFA Dance degree. He also performed in the Canada Ice Dance Theatre during the years 1974 — 1978 as a soloist and, in 1978, choreographed a number that was entered into their repertoire. In 1980 he represented Canada in the Pro Worlds held in Jaca Spain.

Raymond is NCCP level II certified and has over 15 years of experience coaching Figure Skating. He has coached skaters aged 4 through to adult and at skill levels from pre-school to Senior competitive levels (singles) and in Ice Dancing, from preliminary to Gold tests levels. In Dance, he has over 5 years teaching Dance classes (Ballet, Ballet-Jazz, Modern, Choreography) to Dance students ranging in ages 5 - 18 years (beginner through advanced levels; Cecchetti grades I-VI).

For Figure skating, he has choreographed Ice Show numbers, test / competitive solos and a Gold Creative Dance. In Dance, he has choreographed group numbers and solo variations.

We welcome Raymond to our club and to Clearwater! We are all excited to watch the new skills the skaters will learn this year under the direction of our new head coach.