Don Cowan Oakland CA Obituary: Don Cowan, a National Certified Club Figure skating Coach has died. The Alberta Figure skating community, including colleagues and athletes, has expressed their grief and admiration for Don. Mike Slipchuk from Skate Canada shared a heartfelt tribute: “To our dear friend Don Cowan, taken from us too soon….RIP my friend.”
Who Was Don Cowan?
Don’s coaching career spanned more than three decades, during which he guided countless skaters to achieve remarkable success. As an NCCP National Level Coach with Partial Certification Levels 4/5, Don’s expertise and commitment were evident in the achievements of his athletes. His skaters reached National Level Competitions, and he celebrated numerous Provincial Champions across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta.
Don’s dedication to the sport was particularly evident in his contributions to Team Alberta. He served as the AB Team Coach for the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse (2007) and Halifax (2011). His role as a Mentor Coach for Levels 1 and 2 further highlighted his commitment to developing the next generation of coaches and skaters.
Don was the owner and operator of Potential Specialized Hockey Programs for 13 years. His diverse professional background included experience in retail, marketing, and design, where he worked for six years. Additionally, he served as a Child Youth Care Worker, specializing in high-risk behavior, showcasing his commitment to youth development in various capacities.
Coaching Career
Notable milestones in Don’s career included mentoring skaters who competed in Tomorrow’s Champions, Junior Nationals, and the National U10 Youth Camp. His coaching credentials extended to Eighth Figure, Gold Freeskate, Gold Dance, Junior Competitive Singles and Dance, Novice Competitive Pairs, and National Competitor levels.
In 2013, Don participated in the NCAP World Figure Skating Championships in London, demonstrating his ongoing engagement with high-level competitive skating. His expertise was not limited to figure skating alone; he was also a Professional Powerskating Instructor with experience at the Junior and Pro Am levels in Alberta and British Columbia, including Enderby, Salmon Arm, Comox, and Powell River.
In the 2023/24 season, Don coached the Novice Men’s and Women’s AB Champions, as well as the 2024 Novice Women’s Challenge Champion and the Novice Men’s second-place finisher. His skaters achieved impressive results at the Canadian National Novice Championships, with the Women’s Champion and the Men’s fourth-place finisher being testaments to his effective coaching methods and dedication.
