The Portage Skating Club is set to host the 2016 Manitoba Crocus Invitational Synchronized Skating Competition Saturday at the PCU Centre.

Event Co-Chairperson and Portage Skating Club Coach Lynn Cabak says it's the first time Portage la Prairie's hosted an event like this. Cabak outlines the event.

"There's over 200 skaters, and 23 teams that are taking part. The teams are coming from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Opening Ceremonies begin at 12:45, and the competition itself starts at 1 in the afternoon and runs until about 4:30 p.m.

The Portage Skating Club only has 1 member entered into the Event. 19-year-old Melissa Butler is from Portage la Prairie, and is currently with the University of Manitoba's Synchronized Skating Team. Butler says she thought after graduation her figure skating career was as good as done. 

19-year-old Melissa Butler at Nationals in 2015

"When I first started going to the school, I was looking into recreation and different gym memberships because I was under the impression that I wasn't able to keep skating. While I was on the website they had a link to what was called synchronized skating -- at the time I had no idea what it was -- contacted the coach and I've been on the team ever since."

Butler says it's a completely different atmosphere compared to singles and pairs skating competitions.

Butler's team in Carberry

"It's a lot less competitive than singles is, so you make friends in the bathrooms and the hallways. It's really enjoyable, and everybody comes together and they all cheer for each other. and we have a lot flash mobs that we do. It's a lot of fun, and I really enjoy doing it."

The competition starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday.