LEARN TO SKATE

Complete beginners start here and will be slowly introduced to the basics of ice skating with the goal of making the skater safe on the ice.  Skaters may start off using a Penguin to help them maintain a stable position on the ice but once they have been introduced to the correct way to fall and stand up on the ice, coaches will encourage skaters to find their own balance and start moving across the ice independently.

Once skaters are safe and comfortable moving across the ice, this level will focus on initiating movement by introducing basic skating concepts, including being able to stop! Skaters will progress from walking to skating, being able to push off and balance on each foot.

Once skaters are consistently demonstrating basic technique to skate unaided across the width of the rink, they will progress to this level with the goal of learning proper use of the blade and knee bend to gain motion across the ice in both directions, forwards and backwards! Once completing this level, young skaters can progress to Aussie Skate™ Test 3 level.  Note: It is recommended that young skaters wear a well-fitted bike, ice hockey or ski helmet.

Complete beginners start here and they will be slowly introduced to the basics of ice skating with the goal of making the skater safe on the ice.  Once they have been introduced to the correct way to fall and stand up on the ice, coaches will encourage skaters to find their own balance and start moving across the ice independently in both directions, forwards and backwards!  Once skaters are safe and comfortable moving across the ice, this level will focus on initiating movement by introducing basic skating concepts and encouraging different types of motions across the ice. Skaters in this level should have achieved the ability to control their speed and stop themselves.

Skaters in this level will be introduced to the concept of skating on one foot while coaches assist them in finding their own balance. Throughout the level skaters will gain confidence in creating momentum to move across the ice both forward and backward.

In this level skaters will be able to confidently manoeuvre themselves across the ice on both one and two feet. The coaches will encourage skaters to practice their ability to move backward and introduce them to the concept of crossovers and how to shift their weight to assist their movement.

Skaters continue to learn how to manipulate their direction while skating on one foot both forwards and backwards. They will begin to learn how to change directions from forward to backward while maintaining momentum.

In this level skaters should flow comfortably from forward to backward and backward to forward on the basis of continuous free skating and should be able to glide around the ice with ease. Skaters will link crossovers with 3 turns and mohawks. Coaches will introduce skaters to basic jumps and assist them in doing so with the correct technique before progressing to the next level.

Skaters in this level will continue to learn how to link multiple skills together. Basic spins, jumps and other skills should be executed at an advanced level and coaches will encourage correct posture as skaters practice these skills.

Skaters should now understand the various disciplines of skating and will be able to comfortably link multiple elements together. Skaters will have been exposed to the various skills they require in order to successfully compete.

This level is where skaters are introduced to more advanced skills, including more complicated jumps and rotations. Confidence with spins and jumps is built upon in this level as well as technique and posture. Some skills that were completed in a forward motion previously, are now being executed backwards.

Skaters in this level are encouraged to gain power in their movements. Additional spins, jumps, patterns and other field skills are executed, and skaters can further advance in areas where they have previously had difficulty. Coaches will continue to encourage correct posture and technique while skaters continue to advance their skills.

Complete beginners start here and they will be slowly introduced to the basics of ice skating with the goal of making the skater safe on the ice.  Once they have been introduced to the correct way to fall and stand up on the ice, coaches will encourage skaters to find their own balance and start moving across the ice independently in both directions, forwards and backwards!

Skaters in this level will be introduced to the concept of skating on one foot while coaches assist them in finding their own balance. Throughout the level skaters will gain confidence in creating momentum to move across the ice both forward and backward.

In this level skaters will be able to confidently manoeuvre themselves across the ice on both one and two feet. The coaches will encourage skaters to practice their ability to move backward and introduce them to the concept of crossovers and how to shift their weight to assist their movement.

Skaters continue to learn to manipulate their direction while skating on one foot both forward and backwards. In this level they will work towards changing directions from forward to backward while maintaining momentum, until they are able to flow comfortably between the two on the basis of continuous free skating and are able to glide around the ice with ease. Skaters will link crossovers with 3 turns and mohawks. Coaches will introduce skaters to basic jumps and assist them in doing so with the correct technique before progressing to the next level.

Skaters will learn to link multiple skills together and be able to do so comfortably. Basic spins, jumps and other skills should be executed at an advance level before skaters are introduced to more advanced skills, including complicated jumps and rotations. Confidence with spins and jumps is built upon as well as technique and posture, while skaters are encouraged to gain power in their movements.

This class is for competent skaters that are wanting to learn basic hockey skating skills, building agility and speed. Skaters will be introduced to transitions from forward to backward, holding a forward and backward edge, and the Mohawk – a skating technique where the player shifts their weight onto one foot while the other foot controls the puck and pushes it in any direction.

As this class does not involve pucks, hockey padding is not necessary but can be worn to get used to skating in the required gear.

Note: It is a prerequisite of this class to have passed Aussie Skate™ Test 5-6.

Ice dance is one of the skating disciplines and this class will cater for those with a particular interest. All about rhythm and patterns, ice dance differs from figure skating by focusing primarily on footwork and edges rather than jumps and spins. In this level coaches will assist skaters in advancing the skills pertinent to ice dance.

Note: It is a prerequisite of this class to have passed Aussie Skate™ Test 7-8.