The Shades of Synchronized Skating: Avery Diary #5

by Avery Clark

Here it is, my final ‘Shades of Synchronized Skating’ entry. I have to admit that I didn’t realize the transformation this project would take when I took it on. To talk about my ‘skating tight experiences’ and the lack of skating tight colours available for people of all skin tones, turned into the discussion of something so much more valuable. I can also attest that I didn’t expect to experience so many positive self revelations like I did throughout this process. 

I mentioned in an earlier entry that my Aurora Tights had become much more to me than a pair of skating tights that matched my skin tone and that is even more true today. Although the tights have been the centrepiece per say, the people around the table were really the most important during this process. Fellow skaters, friends and coaches; many of which were from different backgrounds, never failed to surprise me by their willingness to share their experiences with me or lack thereof. What I found most encouraging was their honesty. Some never hesitated to admit they never considered the options available for people of all colours in our sport, as they were not impacted. I actually think it was a bit of an ‘A-HA’ moment for many of them! I have drawn the conclusion that it is NOT the unwillingness to make our sport more inclusive, rather it is a lack of understanding and compassion for others.

When I began this journey, my skin tone and my mixed ethnicity, although apparent visually, wasn’t really something I spent a lot of time focussing on. This wasn’t because of any other reason other than I just haven’t had the experiences that others that look like me have had. Sure, I can speak to some experiences and speculate it was because of my skin tone, however I could not truthfully admit that they happened solely because of it. This project on the other hand, has enabled me to spend a little time thinking just about me and who I am as a young athlete and woman of colour. It is important whether I experience prejudice or not, to be aware that it is still present and learn to recognize it rather than ignore it. I find myself embracing my differences more and more each day and I am happier because of it. 

I remember a day that my Juvenile synchro team got to spend time with the senior team, playing games and having fun together. I was lucky to have been paired with one of my favourites, Nichole. She was an amazing skater and I always watched her on the ice when she skated. She immediately named me her “mini me” and took me by the hand and I had so much fun with her that day, I will never forget it. I really was her ‘mini me’, as in my mind we looked alot alike, same skin tone, eyes, hair and all. She was a great role model for me and not just because we looked similar, but because she was an amazing, hard working skater, who was kind and always made a genuine effort to say hi to me without knowing the impact she was having on me. Although I do not believe that you should only aspire to be like someone who looks like you, I do believe it can have an impact in an environment where you look so different to most. I realize with this project and the messages I have received, that I am now in the position of ‘role model’ for many girls and I will not take that for granted. 

Finally, without Aurora Tights and Get It Called giving me this platform, I would still be Avery the synchro skater. Not that I think that was a bad thing, but maybe not as aware as I could have been. Today, I can honestly say, I am much, much more. I see a business like Aurora Tights thinking outside the box, taking the baby steps necessary to provoke change and I want to be a part of it. I see skating clubs dedicating themselves to provide opportunities to children who wouldn’t normally have it, and I want to coach there. I want the sport of synchronized skating to continue evolving and growing and to become Olympic all while being diverse and inclusive. I look to my future and wonder what I can do to initiate change and encourage young girls of colour to participate in our sport. My story has really just begun. 

Thank you to Aurora Tights and Get It Called for this experience. 

~Avery