The Elizabeth Swan Memorial Synchronized Skating Competition is a highly anticipated event held in late January or early February that marks the beginning of the Synchronized Skating season in Newfoundland and Labrador. Teams from all over the province eagerly gather to present their programs in a spirited display of skill and artistry, setting the stage for the upcoming Provincial Championships.

Elizabeth Swan truly dedicated herself to ensuring excellence in all aspects of figure skating in Newfoundland & Labrador and across Canada, starting with the founding of the Flying Blades Figure Skating Club in 1965. Elizabeth introduced the sport to thousands of young athletes by organizing her province’s first championships, promoting the growth of local clubs and providing many training opportunities. She became the first gold dance and figure judge in her province and conducted numerous judging clinics. Chairman of the national committee for the formation of precision skating, she was instrumental in its introduction to Canada. She was affectionately known as “Mrs. Figure Skating”. Her untimely death in 1985, while travelling home from judging a provincial championships, was a great loss to the skating world.