Welcome to KARDC

The Kent Artistic Roller Dance Club (kardc) regularly skates in the Medway Towns, Maidstone, Sittingbourne and surrounding areas in Kent. The Club is affiliated to the Federation of Artistic Roller Skating (FARS) and holds an annual Open Artistic Roller Dance Skating Competition (held under FARS Regulations). (coming soon:read more...)

KARDC News

Venue News: Our main Club session is at the YMCA, on Fridays from 6.30 p.m. when we hold a beginners' session. This consists of a general skate and a Grade lesson, with skates that can be hired at a charge of £1.50p. Due to popularity, at present there is a waiting list for attendance at this session, please if interested contact the Club Secretary (Karen) via email or collect and complete the form available at the YMCA Fridays. Skaters are invited to take up club membership after 4 weeks.

Competition News

Welcome to KARDC competition news, this is where we will bring you up to date with information regarding recent and upcoming competitions. (coming soon:read more...)

2012 Annual Competition:

The KARDC Annual Open Competition date is June 23rd and 24th 2012.

Coaching & Sessions

Sessions: We are delighted to be holding one of our Club sessions at the YMCA, Maidstone, where we have many youngsters coming along to try artistic skating. Both children and parents are welcome to give our sport a try, and can hire skates if needs be. We also hold sessions at other venues which are follow on lessons according to ability - its is a requirement that skaters at these sessions have artistic skates. Please get advice from the Coach (Jackie) regarding the right type of skate and where to get them....(inline skates are not suitable).

Artistic Skating World News

The 56th (2011) Artistic World Championships where held in Brasilia, Brazil. Click the image on the left to be redirected to the official website.

Supporting & Sponsorship

Sponsorship opportunities are available as we actively seek sponsorship as this is vital to ensure that our skaters can compete at the highest level and to ensure that GB can develop its promising young athletes to be the future International and World class Artistic Roller Skaters, to provide them with the opportunity to be able to equally match the Nations who are the Champions of today and the World's best. (coming soon:read more...)

KARDC Skaters

Artistic skating demands from its skaters a careful balance of strength, precision and artistry all wrapped up into a single, breathtaking performance. The results, as spectacular to watch as they are to perform, demonstrate a master of the sport in all its subtleness. Artistic Skating falls in one or more categories: Figures, Singles Freestyle, Pairs Freestyle and Dance. (coming soon:read more....)

Coaches Corner

Here you will find kardc coaches notes; news, reviews and information (Jackie's Notes).

31.07.11 - Cadet, Youth, Junior and Senior Championships

This year the Cadet, Youth, Junior and Senior Championships were held in Haywards Heath at the Dolphin Centre, over a period of three days, with practices the day before the events. First of our skaters to compete was Samantha who entered at Cadet level. Her dances - the Federation Foxtrot and Siesta Tango - were very good and one judge in particular remarked on her technical ability. It is always nice to get feedback from a judge especially at a Championship. Her dress was white with red lace embellishments and crystals. Samantha also skated a Jive OSP which she performed in a polka dot 60's style outfit which suited both her and the music. This competition attracted an entry of 17 skaters from around the country and although Samantha didn't get a medal, her performance was impressive. Emma skated her compulsory dances the following day - these being the Rocker Foxtrot and Flirtation Waltz. The Rocker was lively and very well executed, and the waltz was fluid with beautiful edges. She chose a deep pink outfit, with lace embellishment and thousands of crystals. Emma's freedance, which was placed third, was performed to music from Burlesque and was well appreciated by both the judges and the audience and earned her marks of mid to high 7's. Emma now has an assessment for Cup of Europe, which she has previously done for many successive years. Richard entered the Senior solo dance Championship, skating the Iceland Tango and Italian Foxtrot. He performed both of these dances with speed and power, and received good marks which placed him 5th before he skated his freedance, which he did to Beetlejuice music. The judges liked his performance and he received good marks including two 8's one for technical and the other for artistic. He was rewarded with moving up to 4th place overall, and a delighted Richard was then selected for the Cup of Europe for the third year running. Katie skated her compulsory dances in the Classic event for adults, on the last day of Champs. Her 14 step was strong and good to watch, as was her Swing Foxtrot and her Imperial Tango. Katie has the ability to smile throughout her performances, a characteristic which always entices higher marks from the judges, and her result underlined this, as she was placed 4th out of 13 other strong opponents. Katie skated in a rich peony coloured velvet dress, trimmed with crystals, which was made by the Dad (clever man!) So overall it was a good competition for our skaters who are now training for an Open event in September, together with other members of the Club. If you are reading this please remember you can see some of these performances on 19th August at our Friday session.

26.06.11 - Invicta Competition Hernebay

The weather was lovely outside - the results for our club skaters was great inside. This competition was held at the Pier in Hernebay which will shortly be demolished... this historical building has always been the home of roller skating... many, many skating events have been held there over the years, including those for roller hockey, but soon the building will no longer be part of this seaside town. What a great shame. The event covered all ages and there was something for everyone - from our least experienced members to seniors, and skaters 25 years and above. Our tally of medals was excellent... In all we won 5 trophies - Richard won both senior events skating the Pasodoble, Quickstep, Starlight Waltz, and Italian Foxtrox, plus another Gold for Formation skating and he also won two silver medals. Katie was delighted to win two Golds, silver for another solo event, bronze for duos and yet another bronze for solo over 25's. Our 15 and under team consisting of Samantha and Jessica, Libby and Shona and Atlanta and September, all skating in duos, took first place - hence another six golds. Sam and Jessica took the Bronze medals in another duo competition. Emma was part of the formation team that won gold, and she also took two silver medals for duos and solo dance. Her Mum, Karen, skated with Katie as a duo which won them Bronze and Karen added another Bronze to her collection for the adult solo event. Shona and Libby were part of the gold medal winning duo team, whilst the team consisting of Jessica, Sam and Abygail rounded up the day with yet more Bronze medals. A special mention must go to Libby who - from 35 skaters - got into the final ten, having come 5th in the heat. Also ''Well done' to Janet who entered her first 'open' adult event and who is now determined to get onto the rostrum. Must also mention Rhiannon's performance in her first open event. Rhiannon you did us proud, no nerves and you came 6th - an excellent result. Atlanta was 'over the moon' following her success in her solo dance event, in which she won her heat, and then went on to win overall. Her sister, September was also rewarded with a Bronze medal in the 13 and under solo comp.. Two very happy sisters. As you can imagine everyone went home feeling very proud of their achievements and as for me, well I'm one heck of a happy Coach.

06.06.11 - Crystal Tulip International Event in Holland

We recently participated in the Crystal Tulip International event in Holland. The team of skaters from Great Britain was a big one, with some 54 skaters participating in the dance categories ranging from Mini to Senior. The organisers made us all very welcome and nothing was too much trouble...Emma AB entered the Junior competition skating the Flirtation Waltz and Rocker Foxtrot and was in third place after these compulsories. However, after skating her excellent freedance which is based on a Burlesque theme, she took the Silver medal position and was delighted with this result. Richard entered the Senior Men's category, but because this event was lacking in entrants he competed with the Senior Ladies. After performing a lovely Italian Foxtrot, a bad fall during the Iceland Tango lost him some valuable marks. Despite this he went on to skate a demanding freedance taking on the character of Beetlejuice both in costume and hairstyle! Both our skaters gave confident displays and there were many comments on how much they had improved. They were presented with beautiful engraved glass trophies and Dutch keepsakes. This 4 day event ended with a Gala where some of Holland's best show teams performed together with the winners of each category and it was lovely to see both Emma and Richard skating their programmes to a large appreciative audience without the pressure of competing. Finally all competitors rose to the occasion with a special routine devised and put together by a Dutch coach. A truly great time was had by all and no doubt we will be heading back to Holland again next year, where this year Great Britain took many of the medals.

02.05.11 - Quiz Night

On Saturday 30th April the Club held a Quiz night with around 70 people attending, including some from Medway Club. Questions were set by Amanda with husband John taking on the job of MC for the evening. Karen was there to 'set up' the hall, and Steph and Howard ran the raffle A good time was had by all, with the Medway team taking first place, winning a trophy, wine and chocs. Thanks to all who came and made this a successful evening, and those who helped with the arrangements.

02.05.11 - Saturdays at Sittingbourne

The session will now run from 12 noon until 2 p.m. for the Novice group/Elementary and Prelim.

02.05.11 - Friday sessions at the YMCA

This session now starts at 6.30 p.m. with the first hour dedicated to Grades and practice skating. Skate hire is available for those without skates. More advanced lessons follow and anyone wishing to attend any of these sessions can contact our Coach - Jackie

KARDC Skaters in Action

The kardc website is currently undergoing a revamp. We apologise for any inconvience whilst this work is undertaken

British Roller Skating Federation is the Governing Body for Roller Sports in the UK Click their logo to go to their website

The Federation of Federation of Artistic Roller Skating is the Governing Body for this discipline of skating within Great Britain.

The Confederation Europeenne Roller Skating is a Regluatory Body for Roller Sports in Europe and FIRS is the World Governing Body. Click on their logo for further information.

The Kent Sport Leisure and Olympics Service is the first point of call for everything to do with sport in Kent. It develops sport and provides a focus for sports issues in the County.