Go Figure Skating

Figure Skating Competitions for Beginners (Compete USA)

By Go Figure Skating · Last reviewed November 9, 2026

U.S. Figure Skating's beginner program is called Learn to Skate USA (it used to be the Basic Skills program), and its beginner competitions are called Compete USA competitions (they used to be "Skate With U.S." events). They turn the skills skaters learn in group lessons into a simple, friendly competition format that a learn-to-skate program or club can run at its own rink.

  • Who can enter: skaters registered with a Learn to Skate USA program, and full U.S. Figure Skating members. An "in house" competition is only for the host program's own skaters; an "open" competition is open to any Learn to Skate USA or U.S. Figure Skating member. Skaters can start at any level and any age.
  • Levels: Compete USA events cover the learn-to-skate levels (Snowplow Sam, Basic 1-6, Aspire and the adult learn-to-skate levels) and can go up to Preliminary singles, Adult Bronze singles and Pre-Bronze pattern dance.
  • Hosts: any registered Learn to Skate USA program can hold a Compete USA competition, following the event structure in U.S. Figure Skating's Compete USA Manual. It needs an approval number from Learn to Skate USA, not a full competition sanction.
  • Judging: each event has three judges, and scoring usually uses U.S. Figure Skating's Component Judging System (CJS) rather than the full ISU Judging System.

Compete USA competitions are designed to give young and new skaters a positive first competition. The groups are small and the mood is relaxed, so they are a good first step before the skater moves on to U.S. Figure Skating's test-based competitions.

Find a program or a Compete USA competition near you at learntoskateusa.com. For other questions, contact U.S. Figure Skating, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, (719) 635-5200, or visit usfigureskating.org.

Sources

U.S. Figure Skating 2026-27 Rulebook (Learn to Skate USA, rules MR 40.00-46.02; Compete USA competitions, rules 3100 and on), Learn to Skate USA: Compete USA and U.S. Figure Skating contact details.