Woodbury Figure Skating Club

Skating Lessons

The Woodbury Parks and Recreation Department offers the Ice Skating Institute of America's (ISI) Learn to Skate Program. This program offers a skill progression designed to enhance the capabilities of all skaters. See descriptions below. It is not uncommon for a student to repeat a level before mastering all the skills at that level.

To register for skating lessons, contact Bielenberg Sports Center at (651) 714-3740 or register online at www.ci.woodbury.mn.us/parks/reconline.html. To view specific class times and dates, view pages 17, 18 and 19 of the winter/spring 2009-2010 Parks and Recreation brochure (pages 19, 20 and 21 of the PDF file).

Special Notes

• Protective headgear is required for all children under the age of five. The Woodbury skating program does not have headgear available. Bicycle helmet or lightweight hockey helmet is acceptable.
• Class time is subject to change, depending on scheduling. Each participant will be notified well in advance of any changes.
• During the course of lessons, there may be occasions when your child's instructor is unavailable to teach the class. Substitutes will be given adequate preparation.
• Parents may skate with their skater in the practice area.
• No shoes or boots on the ice as the shoes bring dirt from outside to the ice surface, which is dangerous.
• Name tag - All skaters should pick up their nametag as they enter the arena. Your class time, instructor and class level is on the tag. The instructor and student will have the same color name tag.
• Class attire - Skaters should wear warm, comfortable clothing. We suggest they dress in layers so jackets or sweaters may be removed as the skaters warm up. Mittens or gloves are a must. No tight jeans, as they restrict movement. Rental skates are available. Please make sure your skate blades are sharp and your boots fit properly. An instructor would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about lacing, tying and fitting of skates.
• Class time and practice time: All group skating lessons are one-half hour class time and one-half hour practice time.

Tots-Snow Plow Sams I
For beginning skaters in kindergarten and younger (must be at least 3 years old) with no previous skating experience. Class emphasis is on learning to stand, fall, and move on the ice through songs and games. Protective headgear is required. Younger Snow Plow Sams (3 and 4 years) have the option to have their parents attend class with them. Parents must have skates on. We encourage all older Snow Plow Sams (5 years) to attend class on their own.

Tots-Snow Plow Sams II
For skaters previously enrolled in the skating program but who have not completed all of Tot II skills. Class emphasis is on continuing forward skating and gliding, swizzles and backward skating. Protective headgear is required.

Tots-Sunny Seals
For kindergarten and younger who are able to skate forward by themselves. Swizzles, stops and backward skating are taught.

Pre Alpha
For skaters age 7 and older. This class introduces forward and backward skating, how to stop, gliding on one foot and swizzles.

Alpha
For skaters who have successfully completed Pre Alpha. Forward crossovers and stroking are taught.

Beta
For skaters who have successfully completed Alpha. Emphasis is on back crossovers and t-stops.

Gamma
For skaters who have successfully completed Beta. Turns are taught at this level along with hockey stops and mohawk turns.

Delta
For skaters who have successfully completed Gamma. Skaters will learn edge control, body alignment and balance in preparation for the freestyle levels.

Freestyle 1-5
For skaters who have successfully completed the Delta level. Skaters learn to jump, spin and perform other exciting moves. Create skating programs to music; a progression to more difficult jumps and spins is achieved at each level.

Adult Beginner
This class is for adults who have very little experience or have never skated and would like to try.

Adult Intermediate
This class is for adults who can skate forward and backward well and wish to learn more complicated turns, and stroking crossovers.

Junior Club
Junior Club introduces skaters at the Gamma, Delta, and Freestyle levels to using the full ice surface for their skating skills. The stroking class along with the group lessons will make a stronger skater through further movement on the ice, deeper edges, better control and stronger freestyle techniques. Gamma through Freestyle 5 skaters.

What level do you register for?
If you are unsure what level to register your child, use the following guidelines:

• Skaters who are 7 years old and younger and have never skated before, sign up for Tots-Snow Plows Sams 1.
• Skaters who are 8 years old and older, who have never skated before, sign up for Pre-Alpha and make a note on your roster that you are new to skating.
• Skaters who are in 1st grade an older, who have skated before, please register for Pre-Alpha.


• Special Note: Skaters may be moved during the first few weeks of class to a level that is appropriate for them.