Coaches
Our goal, as coaches, is to express our passion, share our knowledge and bring the enjoyment of skating to people of all ages and abilities while creating a sense of achievement for the skater. Figure skating is a wonderful combination of physical activity, with artistry and musicality. We welcome you to come join us at the Inlet Skating Club of Port Moody, “City of the Arts” whether it’s to learn basic skating skills or progress through our various Skate Canada Certified Programs. All of our Coaches are Professionally trained, Certified through Skate Canada and have valid 1st Aid and CPR.
Marlena Mitchell
Director of Skating
NCCP Level 3 National Coach Certified
Currently pursuing High Performance Level 4 (partial completion)
Canskate Certified
With a competitive nature and a passion for figure skating, Marlena prides herself in supporting her skaters to reach their highest potential. She is a hard worker and expects her skaters to work hard as well.
With 27 years coaching experience, she teaching a love for the sport at any early age. Marlena motivates the skaters and enjoys the successes at any level. She is warm, kind, patient and encouraging.
Marlena has coached Provincial, Challenge and National champions. She has also coached skaters at the National and International levels. Being involved with harness work for both triple axels and quadruple jumps.
Marlena has much pride in calling the Inlet Skating club of Port Moody her home and very much appreciates the amazing team of coaches she works with!
When she is not at the arena, she can be found spending time with her family and hiking on the local mountains.
Heather Mcfarlane
Club Coach
NCCP Level 2 Provincial Coach Certified
Currently Pursuing NCCP Level 3 National Coach
CanSkate Certified
Heather has been a part of the skating community since the age of 3 and has no intention of leaving anytime soon. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, she skated and coached at some of the largest competitive clubs in Canada before adventuring west.
With almost two decades of coaching experience, Heather believes there’s always something more to learn and is continually updating her knowledge with courses, seminars, mentor hours, and apprenticeships to bring the best coaching possible to her skaters. She coaches with a strong emphasis on technique, presentation, and self-confidence. Heather feels as a coach you must first inspire a love for skating before pursuing excellence, and teaches her skaters to put in the time, work, and effort to achieve their goals and reach their highest potential.
When not at the arena, Heather can be found in the mountains exploring on her horse JJ, appreciating the art and culture scene, and volunteering with organizations invested in building community and inclusion.
Nikki Jukic
Club Coach
NCCP Level 2 Provincial Coach Certified
CanSkate Certified
As a skating coach, Nikki brings along her bubbly personality and positive attitude. She helps guide her students to accomplishing their goals by putting emphasis on proper technique and hard work.
Nikki comes with over 11 years of coaching experience and is an NCCP Provincial Level 2 Coach. She has taught a variety of levels of skaters from StarSkate to Competitive. Nikki has shown her strong leadership skills through volunteering in numerous international skating events from the ISU 4 Continents to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Nikki was a dedicated singles skater competing up to the Novice level and completing up to the Gold level in Freeskate and in Skills. In addition to her achievements on the ice, Nikki has attained a Bachelors Degree from UBC and is currently pursuing her post-graduate studies.
When it’s time to relax, most recently you can find her walking the shores of Penticton’s Okanagan Beach.
Nicole karadjov
Canskate and skating academy director
NCCP Level 1 Regional Coach Certified
CanSkate Certified
Nicole has been a part of the Inlet Skating Club since the age of 5 as a skater and has the intention to help the club grow and develop now as part of the Coaching team. Nicole wants to create an environment that encourages athletes to learn and develop in and out of the sport. She believes that playing sports when you are young and growing in more ways than one, builds not only a strong character and confidence but motivates hard work from a young age. She hopes to help athletes step out of their comfort zone, into a safe environment and be able to express themselves and share her passion for figure skating with other aspiring skaters.
Maya Dinwoodie
Club Coach
NCCP Level 1 Regional Coach Certified
CanSkate Certified
Melissa folino
Club Coach
NCCP Level 2 Provincial Coach Certified
CanSkate Certified
Mellisa comes with a ten-year competitive history in pairs competition. She competed at the Pre Novice level Chicoutimi Quebec 1989, Senior Pairs level at the Canadian National Championships, Halifax Nova Scotia. She has competitive participation from the pre-preliminary level to senior competitive including singles, pairs, and dance disciplines. Through a lifetime of athletic experience and as a mother of 3 children, Melissa understands the value of discipline, dedication, and hard work ethics this sport brings to athletes and how it prepares them for life. She wants to share with students her love and passion for skating and the joy of accomplishments that comes with advancing their skills in preparation for success. She values creating great memories with her students while providing a comfortable yet constructive and enjoyable atmosphere, teaching them good sportsmanship while encouraging them every day, and creating well-rounded athletes.
ASHLYNNE STAIRS
Club Coach
NCCP Level 2 Provincial Coach Certified
Currently Pursuing NCCP Level 3 National Coach
CanSkate Certified
Ashlynne’s expertise as a figure skating coach stems from a background in competitive ice dance that includes national and international competitions, including the 2017 Junior World Championships.
Specializing in refining basic edges, crafting program choreography, and step sequences, Ashlynne's coaching style is marked by attention to detail and a focus on musicality. She loves watching her students explore their artistic side while having fun on the ice.
When she's not coaching, you can find her going for a run, drinking a giant cup of coffee, or relaxing on the beach!
MIKU MAKITA
Club Coach
NCCP Level 1 Regional Coach Certified
CanSkate Certified