Learning to skate

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by prarieboy

They banned allowing mothers to give birth to kids with skates on some years back. The added complications during delivery was deemed too expensive for public health care.
There are now however a few Private Clinics that are beginning to allow it.

Need a photoshop wizard to add little skates to an ultrasound image.

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Need a photoshop wizard to add little skates to an ultrasound image.

I am no wizard, but here ya go:

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by JonDuke

I am no wizard, but here ya go:

That's awesome.

[Csquared]

City of Calgary also has adult learn to skate lessons. If none of the suggested work for you I know some more places as well depending on what section of the city work best for you. Having worked at most of them there's not really much difference, you could wind up with a really good coach or a mediocre coach at all of them.

Do make sure your skates fit well, are laced up tightly and are sharpened.
If safety equipment makes you feel more comfortable on the ice wear it.
Ask questions in class if you don't understand anything. Skating is first or second nature for most of the people that coach it and depending on who you get, they may have trouble breaking things down.
Practice. There's not really a way to practice wrong, the more you're on the ice the better you will get. Adults usually grasp what they are supposed to be doing quite quickly and sometimes get frustrated when they don't get it right away. Your balance is completely different on skates and you are using and engaging muscles differently so give it some time.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

I can skate forward, turn okay, but can't stop or skate backwards, I'm definitely interested in some of the adult classes. My end goal is to play hockey in a beer league.

There is also a program called HNA (Hockey North America), they have a beginners program where you do a few weeks of skating drills/coaching and then you play a shortened season. Good way to find a beginner team and improve your skills.

[Wormius]

Going to bump this thread, but more related to kid's skating lessons than adults.

We're growing a bit disillusioned with the group skating lessons that my son is in. I am not sure if it's the instructors or number of kids in the different programs, but we're considering private lessons. Does anybody have recommendations from a perspective where group skate lessons didn't work for their kids whereas one-on-one made some improvements?

Alternatively, what are good ways to teach concepts like "bubbles", "cross-overs", "transitions", and "hockey stops" to kids?

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Going to bump this thread, but more related to kid's skating lessons than adults.

We're growing a bit disillusioned with the group skating lessons that my son is in. I am not sure if it's the instructors or number of kids in the different programs, but we're considering private lessons. Does anybody have recommendations from a perspective where group skate lessons didn't work for their kids whereas one-on-one made some improvements?

Alternatively, what are good ways to teach concepts like "bubbles", "cross-overs", "transitions", and "hockey stops" to kids?

Have to agree with you. We haven't been overly thrilled with the group lessons our daughter has been in. The good part is that it commits me to get her on the ice once a week. But overall, the level of instruction hasn't been there. I have heard of some kids in the CanSkate who seem to be enjoying it and like the program. We will probably try that next.

[Csquared]

The level of instruction in a group class can vary a lot depending on the mix of kids that are in it and their range of skill levels and attention span as well as the instructor. Some classes can be complete gong shows while others can progress through a large number of skills.
Private lessons can usually help a lot if your child likes to skate and is interested in learning the skills. Could also just head out to public skate and practice stuff with your kids too if you know how to skate and they listen to you.
-Bubbles make sure they know their feet are supposed to make a circle, get them to skate first and attempt some bubbles, have them see how many bubbles they can do in a row without lifting their feet up, how big and small they can make them and then see if they can start from a standstill
-Crossovers Circle thrusts where they push with their outside foot around the circle are key, also practice doing a 1 foot glide lifting up their outside foot while following the circle
- Transitions Depends on the type of transition but make sure to tell them to look and twist their upper body the way they want to turn
-Hockey stops -Have them practice turning and snowplow stopping and then have them stand still and do a skid scrape onto one foot
Some Canskate programs are good, particularly if your child has any interest in figure skating.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

I had to look up bubbles to see what the heck they were.

[Wormius]

I have heard good things about the CanSkate program as well. I think we'll invest in a few private lessons to correct some of the issues that seem to be blocking him from progressing in the class he's in. Initially I was bit irked that I got reprimanded by a coach for having registered him in the skate level 4 class (even though he passed skate level 3 at the same rink).

I really have no other ambitions for his skating aside from being able to skate quickly forwards and backwards and hockey stop. Once those goal are met, if he wants to do anything else skating or hockey related it's his call.