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Private Figure Skating Lessons - For professional coaching, please contact Richard Laidlaw, an Australian Accredited Level 6 Coach. Richard has extensive experience coaching skaters from beginner through to senior elite athletes, including competitors at international level events.

Richard Laidlaw – Figure Skating Coach

Richard Laidlaw is an accomplished figure skater and coach with a distinguished competitive history at state and national levels, having won State Championship titles in Juvenile, Novice, and Junior divisions. Following a successful competitive career, Richard toured internationally with renowned companies including Disney, Warner Bros, and Hollywood on Ice, before establishing his coaching career in Adelaide.

A lifelong ice enthusiast, Richard commissioned and built his first ice rink at the age of 14, and has since designed and constructed numerous portable ice rinks for shows and pop-up events worldwide as well as managed the Ice Arena in Adelaide.

Richard has extensive coaching experience, working with skaters from beginners to elite athletes, including students who have won state and national titles, competed internationally, and participated in the Junior & Senior World Championships. Committed to continuous learning, he regularly attends coaching camps and workshops both in Australia and overseas to refine his methods.

As an Australian Level 6 coach, Richard’s philosophy extends beyond technical instruction. He serves as a coach, mentor, and confidant, guiding skaters in mastering the mechanics of jumping and spinning, developing planning and goal-setting skills, and gaining a clear understanding of competition rules, training methods, and performance strategies.

This holistic approach has produced numerous champions, reflecting Richard’s belief in dreaming big and making it happen — a motto that inspires all of his students.

Coaching Education:
• Level 6 Skating Coach Accreditation
• Accredited Harness Operator
• Strength & Conditioning
• Fitness Testing
• Sports Medicine
• Competition Accounting
• Bio Mechanics of Skating
• Mental Preparation
• Off Ice Training
• Working with Intellectually Disabled
• Mentor Coach
International Training 
• Frank Carroll 2016/18
• Kathy Casey – 2014/15
• Lee Barkell - 2014
• Anthony Lieu - 2016
• Tiffany Chin – 2016
• Brian Orser – 2015/18
• Tom Zakrajsek – 2018/19
• Christie Krall – 2018/19
• Tammy Gamble 2019
• Janet Champion 2018/19
• Manon Perron – 2014/15/16/17
 
Presenter at Coaching Camps
- 2015 Cambodia Ice Rink CAMBODIA
- 2017 Silver Blades Figure Skating Club ADELAIDE / AUSTRALIA
- 2017 Tasmania Figure Skating Association TASMANIA
- 2018 Paradise Ice Auckland Figure Skaters NEW ZEALAND
- 2018 Tasmania Figure Skating Association TASMANIA
- 2018 Liverpool Figure Skating Club SYDNEY
- 2018 O’Brien Arena Figure Skating MELBOURNE
- 2019 Paradise Ice Auckland Figure Skaters NEW ZEALAND
- 2019 Sky Rink Indonesian Figure Skating INDONESIA
- 2022 Liverpool Figure Skating Club SYDNEY / AUSTRALIA
- 2023 Indian Figure Skating Association DELHI / INDIA
- 2024 BX Ice Rink INDONESIA 
Coach Accreditation (Australian Sports Commission):
• Accredited Level 6 Singles Coach
• Accredited Level 2 Pairs Coach
• Accredited Level 2 Synchro Coach
• Accredited Over Head & Pole Harness
• Mentor Coach
• Working With Children Check
• Mandatory Notifier
• Working with Special Needs
• Harness Assessor
Coaching Experience:
• Aussie Skate
• ISIA (Ice Skating Institute of America): Alpha - Test 7
• Acrobatics Coach
• Adelaide Syncro Team: 1984 – 87
• Training students from beginner to Senior international,
* Waltz jump to quad toeloop.

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