Learn to skate

The learn to skate sessions offered by ISC when working in partnership with IBC or at Felixstowe Academy  form the backbone of our clubs skating activities and our clubs competitive success. 

They provide a safe introduction to skating that  allows people of any age to quickly acquire the necessary skills to skate recreationally or to progress into the internationally recognised skating disciplines currently offered by our club, full details of which can be found elsewhere on our website.

We use GoSk8 the clubs recognised and approved teaching scheme which has been specifically designed to develop all the basic skating  skills required to allow anyone to enjoy learning and to skate safely. 

All skaters can get certificates if they want them and both our  learn to skate sessions and the GoSk8 teaching scheme are recognised and approved by The Childrens University and Sports Leaders UK which  currently works with over 2000 organisations and 90,000 young people every year across the UK.

Everybody learns at a different speed but we can teach anybody who wants to skate forwards, stop, turn to backwards, skate backwards, turn to forwards again and skate corners proficiently. 

Once you can do that they can skate with us recreationally or progress into artistic, speed, hockey or any other skating discipline with safety and confidence.

Our coaches are insured, qualified, police checked and first aid trained. Skates are available and free for use at all our learn to skate sessions, but if you have your own feel free to bring them along.

What to expect when you come.

All our learn to skate sessions follow the same format:

They all last for two hours;  for the  first 30 minutes people are free to arrive, and if they have skated with us before put on their skates and free  skate in  the designated area around the sides  of the hall. (everybody goes in the same direction for safety). The centre of the hall is reserved for new or nervous skaters and in this time we always have coaches on hand to asses newcomers, help them put on their skates, talk to new skaters and parents to makes sure everybody is happy and safe and prepared for the main part of the session.

Over the next thirty minutes skaters are taught formally in small groups. They are differentiated by their current ability into four basic groups or grades. In each stage or grade  they learn different skills; 

In grade 1 they learn how to stand up on skates, balance, skate forwards and stop and with each grade the difficulties of the skating challenge increases.

At the end of the formal lesson all skaters take off their skates to take a break, they eat, drink and socialise. By doing this we minimise the chances of accidents by ensuring that people are properly hydrated, refreshed and ready for the last 45 minutes of the session where skaters are introduced in a structured way to some of the skating disciplines and are given the option of either practicing what they have been learning with the support of coaches or be involved in skill related games and activities designed to improve their skating ability.

If you have any questions or want to know more about what we do please feel free to make contact with us and we would be pleased to help you.