About

Hello, hello! My name is Trina Dykstra-MacPherson, I am currently completing my Master of Science in Biochemistry at Queen's University. I have completed my Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biochemistry at Queen's University as well as a Certificate in Disability and Physical Activity at with the School of Kinesiology, and a Certificate in Business with Smith's School of Business. Presently, I coach at Skate Kingston, Gananoque Skating Club, and Kingston Skating Academy. I am the current Program Director at Gananoque Skating Club, and was the Assistant STARSkate Director at Skate Kingston for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons. I was the 2023-2024 Assistant Head Coach of the Queen's Varsity Figure Skating Team.

I started skating at the age of 7 and have had the great opportunity to train in many different avenues of figure skating. These include STARkate, Competitive Skating (up to Novice Women Singles), Varsity Skating, and Adult Skating. I trained at Morrisburg and District Skating Club and Nepean Skating Club during my time as a young athlete. Throughout my time as a skater I achieved my Gold FreeSkate, Dance, Artistic, and Skills assessments. I skated on the Queen's Varsity Figure Skating Team for 4 years (2019-2023) and was Co-Captain for 3 years (2020-2023). Now that I am retired from competitive/varsity figure skating, I am working towards my Diamond Dances.

Some of the highlights from my skating career include:

• Pre-Novice Women Eastern Ontario Bronze Medalist 2016

• Top 50 in Canada for Pre-Novice Women at Skate Canada Challenge 2017

• 4th place finish in Juvenile Women U14 at 2014 Eastern Ontario StarSkate Invitational Championships (EOSIC)

• Top 18 at 2015 Skate Ontario Championships in Juvenile Women U14

Aside from my skating career, I have been coaching for eight years (since the age of 16), and I am working on my Provincial Certification Portfolio in Singles FreeSkate and Ice Dance, but am able to coach all disciplines. I am CanSkate and Regional Coach Certified, completed my Star 1-5 Coach Assessor Training, and I am a Qualified Skills & Artistic Coach Assessor (Star 6 - GOLD). I am the Assistant STARSkate Director at Skate Kingston, and I do some consultant coaching and choreography for the Queen's Varsity Figure Sakting Team. I also run off ice programming (i.e., jump and spin technique, flexibility, strength & conditioning, core & stability, and ballet) at Skate Kingston and Gananoque Skating Club. Furthermore, I am a Section Level Technical Specialist in Singles and a Star 1-4 Event Assessor.

My philosophy as a coach is to provide the tools and knowledge to help skaters achieve their goals, no matter what size they are. I believe figure skating teaches skaters not only skills within the rink, but also outside of the rink too. It is my aspiration to inspire skaters of all ages to continue in the sport in whatever capacity they chose whether that is within the StarSkate or Podium Pathways.