Our Learn To Skate Program is for beginners through adults including a beginning hockey program. Janelle Loehlein is our Director. Her email address is LTS1401@hotmail.com Rental skates are available at the Municipal Athletic Complex.________________________________________________________

SUMMER SESSION JUNE 9TH - AUGUST 31, 2008

Session 1: June 9 - July 15th

Session 2: July 21 - August 20

No Learn to Skate or Basic Hockey Skills classes the week of June 30th

Learn to skate: Basic skills classes for Levels 1-8. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. and are open to everyone. Classes consist of 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of practice time per evening. You may supplement your class lessons with private lessons if you desire. Informaiton on private lessons may be obtained at any of the Learn to Skate sessions.

Basic Hockey Skills: This program has been incorporated to teach boys and girls the basic skating skills specific to the sprot of ice hockey. Each class periond contains 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of practice time per evening. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.

To register, click on the links in the left column.

________________________________________________________

CLASSES THIS SPRING

Introduction to Freestyle is available for skaters who have passed levels 8 and above.  It is highly recommended for those who participated in the LTS program and would like to move to the freestyle program. 
_______________________________________________________

WE HAVE PASSED BASIC 8, WHAT NEXT?

Once a skater in the Learn to Skate program passes Basic 8, a transition is made into the Freestyle levels. There are 6 Freestyle levels (badges) in the Learn to Skate program. In these levels skaters begin to learn and refine the basic jumps and spins of figure skating. In Freestyle 1 skaters learn to beginning jumps and more advanced spin positions. This level also teaches skaters about navigating the rink and flow of the ice traffic.

After a skater passes LTS Freestyle 1 they have the option to move into the SCFSC Freestyle Club and discontinue the LTS group lessons. However, it is not a mandatory move and skaters can continue to take lessons in the Learn to Skate class for as long as they desire.

Participation in our “Introduction to Freestyle" program, is encouraged as it helps transition skaters from the learn to skate program into the SCFSC Freestyle program. The program is run through learn to skate, and prepares skaters for the Freestyle Club.

For skaters that wish to transition into private lessons on Freestyle Club ice the Learn to Skate Director can help guide them with this process. To join the Freestyle Club you need to contract for ice time and secure lesson times with one of the approved St Cloud FSC coaches. Once a skater has made the change from Learn to Skate to Freestyle Club the skater is considered "No test freestyle level".

At this point skater can participate in USFSA competitions, and begin to work their way through a different more advanced testing system. Under this system skaters work on Moves in the Field and Freestyle tests from No-Test, to Pre-Preliminary thru Senior levels. If interested, skaters may also take Dance tests. These tests are taken at scheduled test sessions with judges from US Figure Skating. There are 8 Moves in the Field and 8 corresponding Freestyle levels.

Making the decision to continue in Learn to Skate or transition into the Freestyle Club can be a difficult one. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind that might help skaters make the decision.

1. Am I participating for Recreational fun or do I want to do more?

2. Am I interested in participating in Competitions?

3. Are my friends moving into private lessons?

4. Do I wish to have more ice time?

5. Do I need a more flexible schedule for when I can skate?

Good luck with your skating and best wishes for your continued success on the ice. Again, feel free to contact the Learn to Skate director for more information on the LTS Freestyle levels or transitioning in the Freestyle Club.

updated, April 29, 2008