Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club
It's about the Skater: Accomplishment. Atmosphere. Attitude. Together.
It's about the Skater: Accomplishment. Atmosphere. Attitude. Together.
We are still accepting new skaters for the 2026–27 synchronized skating season! If you are interested in joining one of our teams, please contact our Hockettes On-Ice Director, Pam May: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
Following our recent Adult Synchro Clinics, we’ve received an overwhelming amount of interest in Hockettes adult level teams for the 2026–27 season. Our goal is to field three adult teams, including one National Championship–qualifying team at the Masters or Adult level.
Adults 18+ interested in joining a team should register for tryouts using the form linked below:
📅 Tryout date and time options:
📍 All tryout sessions will take place at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.
If you’re unable to attend one of these sessions, please email Hockettes Director Pam May to request a private make-up tryout: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
Hockettes: The World’s First-Ever Synchronized Skating Team
The sport of synchronized skating was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1956 by Dr. Richard Porter, the Hockettes made history as the world’s first-ever synchronized skating team, pioneering a brand-new discipline in the world of figure skating.
The Hockettes began performing during intermissions at University of Michigan hockey games and at ice shows hosted by the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club. As the sport gained popularity, new teams formed, competitions emerged, and synchronized skating evolved into the globally recognized, elite discipline it is today.
What is Synchronized Skating?
Synchronized skating is a team sport that combines elements of freestyle, ice dance, and pairs skating. Teams of 8-20 skaters move in unison at high speeds, creating intricate patterns such as rotating wheels, circles, and intersecting formations. Skaters perform jumps, spins, and lifts, much like in pairs skating and ice dance, but the key difference is that these elements are executed as a team, making synchronized skating the ultimate team sport.
Hockettes welcome the legendary Pam May as our new Hockettes Synchronized Skating Director!
Read More: Hockettes Welcome New On-Ice Director
Connect with Coach Pam: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
The Junior Hockettes competed at the 2025 Budapest Cup International Competition on March 14–15, 2025, winning gold and earning the title of international champions.
We are still accepting new skaters for the 2026–27 synchronized skating season! If you are interested in joining one of our teams, please contact our Hockettes On-Ice Director, Pam May: pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
2026–2027 Advantage Plan
For the 2026–27 season, we are excited to offer:
• 50% off Team Fees for new Hockettes skaters
• Ice credit incentives for current Hockettes families who help recruit new skaters
Click here for details. Families interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club office.
On January 17–18, 2026, the Hockettes Junior team represented the U.S. Junior National Team at the Spring Cup in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy.
The team delivered two strong programs, achieved a season-high score of 184.64 points, and earned the bronze medal.
The Hockettes Junior Team has been a cornerstone of the Hockettes program for over 25 years. As the program’s top-level team, the Junior Hockettes set the standard for excellence through skill, athleticism, precision, and artistry.
Throughout their history, the Junior team has proudly represented Team USA in over 20 international competitions and has competed at the World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships three times.
Many of our Junior skaters have grown up within the Hockettes program, starting at the beginner levels and progressing through the ranks over several years until reaching the Junior level. We also proudly welcome skaters from out of state and around the world. Over the years, our Junior team has included skaters from countries such as Finland, Sweden, Italy, Canada, and China.
Head Coach of Hockettes Junior Team:
Pam May pamela.may@annarborfsc.org
@hockettesjunior on Instagram and TikTok.
In 1956, the world’s first synchronized skating team was formed by Dr. Richard Porter, who became known as the "father of synchronized skating." Dr. Porter’s idea of precision skating (as it was originally called) came from observing young skaters trying to choreograph their steps and moves together. He brought a group of skaters together to see what they could do, marking the beginning of the first-ever precision skating team—the Hockettes.
In the early years, the Hockettes were known for performing between periods at University of Michigan hockey games and at Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club ice shows. As awareness of the Hockettes and the new sport grew within the skating community, more synchronized skating teams emerged, the sport expanded, and competitions began to take place.
Today, synchronized skating teams exist worldwide, and competitions take place globally. The sport has even been reviewed for Olympic eligibility, and there is hope it will one day become an Olympic sport.
Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club
2121 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 213-6768
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