Skating Journey

To become a good skater you need to have great basics.
This means lots and lots of skating, and attending the club practices.

Your child’s skating journey will begin in learn to skate class. Classes are designed to take skating skills from basic skating across the rink to being able to skate forwards & backwards proficiently as well as perform basic jumps, spins and foot work.

In most lessons students will break into groups for 15-20 minutes.

We also hold a fun skate every term, and in term four skaters learn routines and a show piece for our annual Christmas Show.

We offer skaters as many opportunities as possible by running small mini squads during the year, which work on specific elements of skating such as Dance, Figures, Freestyle routines etc. At times we bring in other teachers who specialise in particular areas of the Artistic roller skating sport. The more skaters that can attend the better as they will learn valuable new skills.

Some students will decide during class that they would like to go on further with there skating and carry on into advanced classes, medal tests and possibly into federated competition, while others will be happy to just enjoy learning the basics of skating and the camaraderie that class brings.

Either way, we hope to be able to provide a happy and supportive learning environment for all skaters.

If you child decides that they would like to make skating their sport and are proficient then they can compete Regionally and Nationally in NZ Skating Federation competitions, but there are a few things you need to know, consider and do. Please visit our FAQ’s for more information.

– FIGURE IT OUT –

What is artistic skating?

Artistic skating is performed on quad (4 wheel skates) and comprises of different disciplines as set out below.
Free Skating (freestyle)
In free skating skaters incorporate different components such as jumps, spins and foot work into a single routine to music. This is similar to ice skating.
Figure Skating
Skaters follow set patterns of circles (of varying sizes) marked on the floor. The basic skills of skating begin here. For figure skating you need specialised figure skates.
Dance
Dance incorporates the execution of compulsory and creative dance movements to music such as waltz. It can be preformed singularly or as a pair.
Precision
Precision comprises of teams of skaters performing various group formations and movements choreographed to a music theme.
Show Skates
Show skates are at present in three categories, Quartets (4 skaters), Small show group (8 to 12 skaters) and large show group (16 to 30 skaters), these are group items which perform to a theme, using freestyle footwork and with a emphasis on telling a story.
Creative Solo Dance
Creative solo dance is a mix of dance steps and some freestyle 1/2 jumps and spins set to a theme appointed by the NZFRS.