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Learn to Skate

Learn to Skate

Ages: We recommend a minimum age of 4. Skaters younger than 4 may register at their parent's discretion.

Learn to Skate will begin in October and is for boys and girls who would like to learn the fundamentals of ice skating. The LTS program is designed to develop strong basic skating skills (balance, stride, edges and stopping) as an introductory program for children interested in both hockey and figure skating. No previous skating experience is necessary.

Children will be divided each session according to ability. During the sessions the groups will be working on developing various skills as they work their way through the curriculum. 

The Learn to Skate program is an introductory program designed to give children the skills necessary to move forward through the Newport Youth Hockey system, eventually transitioning from LTS to Mite Development Program and ultimately to our Travel Program or House League. 

 Session one runs 10/15 through December.   Session Two runs Jan through the end of Feb.   Select either Saturday or Sunday.   All options are from 8:00 - 8:50 AM at Portsmouth Abbey.

 

 

Logistics

The program is broken up into two 10 week sessions with separate registrations for each. Participants will choose to attend either the Thursdays session or the Sundays session (or register for both). 

On-Ice Groups

“Crate Crew” – This group will be formed at the end of the ice closest to the entrance. This will consist of children with little or no experience on skates who are challenged simply to stand. The objective in this group is to learn balance, recovery, and introduction to stride. We will allow skating aids such as milk crates intended as an aid in balance, and learning the basic skating stride. Once these are mastered, we want to remove the crates as soon as possible. We will introduce activities to keep the children engaged and happy.

“Pilot Whales” – This group will consist of children that can stand on their own, but need to continue to work on balance and strides. We will work in both a large group as well as in a station setting, where we will work on specific skills. Coaches will typically be working in pairs at the stations, with children rotating from station to station in groups. 

“Orca Whales” – This group will be made up of children that have begun to master basic skating skills, and will be working to develop more advanced skills. We will be introducing different skills during the program such as stopping, agility, and edges. We will work in both a large group as well as in a station setting, where we will work on specific skills. Coaches will typically be working in pairs at the stations, with children rotating from station to station in groups.