Hertta Coaching Team & Customer service
Elise Luovula
Founder, Chairman, and professional figure skating coach at Hertta Club
Competitive & Coaching Background
As a former Finnish and Nordic Champion as well as international-level competitor, Elise has represented Finland in Junior World & World Championships, European Championships, Nordic Championships, and numerous international competitions throughout her competitive career.
Her skating background includes training for several years under some of the most recognized coaches in the sport, including Carlo Fassi, Peter Burrows, Barbara Roles, Alex McGowan, Viktor Kudriavtsev, and Rubin Huron-related international training environments. Through decades of international exposure, Elise has developed a broad understanding of both traditional and modern figure skating methodologies.
She continues to actively expand her expertise through international seminars, camps, and coaching observation programs, including training environments led by Alexei Mishin, Brian Orser, Kim Ryan Lewis, and other highly recognized coaches in figure skating world.
After her own competitive career, she has worked as a figure skating coach since the early 1990s, coaching competitive skaters from beginners to international-level skaters in several figure skating clubs. Between 1997–2012, Elise dedicated her time to coaching ice hockey players and was honored with Finnish Ice Hockey Federation Fair Play Coach Diplomas in 2000 and 2003. During these years, she produced several seminars and coaching training programs for ice hockey coaches and led significant long-term coaching projects in ice hockey. Since 2013, Elise has focused exclusively on private lessons and mentoring for figure skaters and ice hockey players.
Since 2013, Elise has worked as a private coach, holding private camps and providing comprehensive mentoring, empowering under-recognized skaters to become noticed in competitions and within their own clubs. Read more about Elise's coaching background at skatingcoach.pro.
COACHING & OTHER SPORTS RELATED EDUCATION
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Certificate Kids Skill coach 2002 - Ben Furman
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Level 1 Coach and Instructor Training (VOK-1) Specialization in Children and Youth Sports
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Finnish Ice Hockey Association: Children's Coaching Courses, LOK 1 & LOK 2 and
"Leijona" Hockey School Instructor Certification and Education for how to coach and toy with children on ice and off the ice.
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Advanced Power Skating & Hockey Seminars – Helsinki, Finland
Attended multiple high-performance camps and seminars led by NHL Skating & Skills Coach Steve Serdachny.
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Reseived two diplomas being under the coaching tutelage of coach Alexei Mishin, Tartu, Estonia
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University of Helsinki, Faculty of Law
Ph.D. Studies: Research on Sports Law & Governance ("From self-regulation and autonomy of sports to legal norms")
Coaching Philosophy
Her coaching is known for its structured and detail-oriented approach, where technical understanding, consistency, and the individual needs of the skater are all considered as part of the training process. Drawing from international coaching environments, she focuses on quality skating skills, technical precision, and consistent step-by-step development.
Elise believes that a skater cannot achieve their dreams through technical coaching alone. Success requires someone by their side who truly believes in the athlete's potential, cares genuinely, and supports their holistic development. This is why Elise's coaching philosophy is rooted in comprehensive mentoring: together with the athlete, she seeks out the best possible training conditions and international coaching networks. For Elise, coaching is about continuous mutual growth and constantly developing her professional expertise alongside the athlete.
Areas of Expertise
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Kids skating skills development, specialized coaching children and young adolescent
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Providing tailored private coaching and long-term athlete mentorship.
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Mastering figure skating jump techniques and core fundamentals.
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Competitive figure skating development
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Specializes in the international coaching methodologies and training systems
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Power Skating, Skating Skills & Agility Development for Figure Skaters and Hockey Players
Ksenija Agafonova
Professional figure skating coach, Coaching Director, and board member at Hertta Club.
Competitive & Coaching Background
As a former women’s Senior-level competitor with national team experience, Ksenija has extensive international competitive experience at the senior level. Alongside her competitive background, she has gained coaching experience in several countries and worked with skaters of different ages and levels in both camps and daily training environments.
Coaching Philosophy
Her coaching approach combines technical skating development, off-ice training, and long-term athlete development. Drawing from both Eastern European and Western coaching methods, she focuses on building strong skating fundamentals while supporting each skater’s individual strengths, goals, and long-term progress.
Her coaching is known for its structured and detail-oriented approach, where technical precision, athletic development, and the individual needs of the skater are all considered as part of the training process.
Ksenija is known for her determined and detail-oriented coaching style, as well as her individualized and athlete-centered approach to training. Every session is built around clear goals and structured planning, ensuring that each exercise serves a specific purpose and supports the skater’s long-term development.
Guest Coaches
Coaching Education
Areas of Expertise
Ksenija has completed multiple coaching education programs through the Finnish Figure Skating Association and is currently completing the association’s advanced-level coaching education focused on professional athlete development.
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Advanced Athlete Development Coaching Education (currently being completed)
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Continuing-Level Coaching Education
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Basic-Level Coaching Education
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Figure Skating Instructor Education
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On-ice jump and spin technique
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Fundamental and advanced skating skill development
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Skating-specific off-ice training
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Long-term athlete development
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Strength, explosiveness, speed, rotation, and stability development for figure skaters
Additionally, she specializes in skating-specific off-ice training built around modern science-based approaches to physical development, helping skaters develop critical physical qualities such as strength, explosiveness, speed, rotation, and stability, while taking into account the aesthetic nuances essential to figure skating.
Guest Coaches
Coaching Education
Higher education from the Moscow Institute of Physical Education, with specialization in movement psychology and motor learning, providing a strong theoretical foundation for his coaching
Continued professional development throughout his coaching career through numerous supplementary courses, educational programs, and international seminars in Estonia, Finland, and across Europe.
Liivo Rennik
Professional Guest Coach at Hertta Club
Competitive & Coaching Background
Liivo Rennik is one of Finland's most experienced figure skating coaches, with over 40 years of coaching experience and more than three decades of contribution to Finnish figure skating. A former three-time Estonian National Champion, he competed at the highest level of Soviet-era figure skating before moving into coaching.
Since relocating to Finland in 1991, Liivo has worked as Head Coach and Lead Coach in several Finnish clubs, including Jade Club, Helsingin Skridskoklubb (HSK), and Tuusulan Taitoluistelijat. Over the years he has coached numerous nationally and internationally competitive skaters and has played an active role in developing Finnish figure skating and coach education.
Coaching Philosophy
Liivo's coaching is built around three questions: what to do, why to do it, and how to do it. He takes an athlete-centered approach, adapting his methods to each skater's needs, strengths, and way of learning, with the goal of helping athletes understand the reasoning behind their training while building a technical foundation for long-term progress
Areas of Expertise
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Jump technique and development
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Spins and skating skills
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Step sequences
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Off-ice physical development
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Technical movement analysis
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Competition preparation
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Skates and blade consultation
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Long-term athlete development
With decades of experience, Liivo focuses on technical fundamentals of figure skating including both jump and spin skills, as well as advising skaters and their families on athletes’ long-term development paths. As a specialty, Liivo provides guidance on skating equipment, including boots, blades, and gear selection.
Coaching Education
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Freedom of Expression
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Freedom of Movement
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Relaxed and Confident Mindset
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Artistic Development
Kiira is similarly highly skilled at coaching spins and jumps, all the way up to triples and quadruples. But her greatest passion lies in helping every skater feel like a rock star in their own right on the ice. Kiira has a unique ability to help skaters develop their own style and presence without compromising the technical side of the program.
Kiira Korpi
Skating Artist, Choreographer, and Skating Coach for Freedom of Expression and Confidence
Competitive & Coaching Background
Kiira Korpi is one of the most successful Finnish figure skaters of all time. She is a five-time Finnish National Champion, three-time European Championship medalist, and two-time Olympian.
After ending her competitive career in 2015, Kiira has performed in multiple skating shows around the world and worked as an inspirational coach and choreographer in New York City, her former hometown, as well as in Switzerland and Finland. Kiira feels deeply motivated to uplift skaters of all ages and backgrounds.
Coaching Philosophy
"Take joy seriously."
In order for a skater to succeed as an athlete and as a human being, a coach or choreographer needs to create an atmosphere of safety, playful exploration, and technical challenge. Kiira sees skating and coaching as practices that develop freedom, joy, confidence, and social awareness -qualities that positively influence life both on and off the ice.
Kiira's private lessons help skaters remember why they love skating and provide them with tools to become more authentic and expressive on the ice.
Areas of Expertise
As an Olympic-level skater, Kiira has personally experienced a wide range of coaching from some of the world's leading skating coaches, including Alexei Mishin, Rafael Arutyunyan, Brian Orser, and Shae-Lynn Bourne. This experience gives her a unique understanding of which coaching methods are most effective both technically and psychologically.
Beyond technical coaching, Kiira has expanded her expertise in athlete development through studies in Liberal Arts and Positive Psychology:
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Further education in the fields of Liberal Arts and Positive Psychology has provided her insight into how to motivate skaters and challenge them artistically.
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Bachelor of Liberal Arts, The New School, New York
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Certified Practitioner of Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP), TFC, New York
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Coaching Education
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A-level Coaching Education – Finnish Figure Skating Association
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Level II Coaching Education – Finnish Figure Skating Association
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Psychology courses – Lyhytterapiainstituutti
Marika Kettunen
Professional Figure Skating Coach
Competitive & Coaching Background
As a former Senior-level competitor, Marika has represented Finland at the Nordic Championships and in international competitions and is also a Finnish Champion. Her skating background includes several summers of training in the United States.
After finishing her competitive career, Marika qualified as an A-level figure skating coach and continued developing her professional expertise through further coaching education. In 2019, she completed Level II Coaching Education provided by the Finnish Figure Skating Association.
Throughout her coaching career, Marika has worked in several Finnish skating clubs, including Espoon Jäätaiturit, Helsingin Taitoluisteluklubi, Helsingfors Skridskoklubb, and Helsingin Taitoluisteluakatemia.
Coaching Philosophy
Marika’s coaching philosophy is centered around meeting every skater as an individual. She believes that every athlete is different and that coaching should be adapted to each skater’s individual needs and goals.
Trust and open communication are an important part of her approach, helping to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Every training session has a clear goal, with exercises selected to support the skater’s development.
Marika aims to help skaters recognize their own strengths, build confidence in their skating, and believe in their ability to improve.
Areas of Expertise
Project Coaches
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Skating skills and steps development
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Jump and spin technique
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Individualized private coaching tailored to each skater
Elise Luovula
Marika Kettunen
Professional Figure Skating Coach
Competitive & Coaching Background
As a former Senior-level competitor, Marika has represented Finland at the Nordic Championships and in international competitions and is also a Finnish Champion. Her skating background includes several summers of training in the United States.
After finishing her competitive career, Marika qualified as an A-level figure skating coach and continued developing her professional expertise through further coaching education. In 2019, she completed Level II Coaching Education provided by the Finnish Figure Skating Association.
Throughout her coaching career, Marika has worked in several Finnish skating clubs, including Espoon Jäätaiturit, Helsingin Taitoluisteluklubi, Helsingfors Skridskoklubb, and Helsingin Taitoluisteluakatemia
Coaching Philosophy
Marika’s coaching philosophy is centered around meeting every skater as an individual. She believes that every athlete is different and that coaching should be adapted to each skater’s individual needs and goals.
Trust and open communication are an important part of her approach, helping to create a positive and supportive learning environment. Every training session has a clear goal, with exercises selected to support the skater’s development.
Marika aims to help skaters recognize their own strengths, build confidence in their skating, and believe in their ability to improve.
Coaching Education
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Skating skills and steps development
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Beginner and advanced jump technique
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Rotation and spin technique
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Individualized private coaching (coaching tailored to individual needs)
Areas of Expertise
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A-level Coaching Education – Finnish Figure Skating Association
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Level II Coaching Education – Finnish Figure Skating Association
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Psychology courses – Lyhytterapiainstituutti