Skating is Skating!
Skating isn’t Figure Skating until you jump and spin, Skating isn’t Hockey until you have a stick and puck.
Welcome to the Sun Prairie Skating Academy!
Welcome to the Sun Prairie Skating Academy, proud member of the Learn To Skate USA program.
The mission of Learn To Skate USA is to provide a fun and positive experience that will instill a life long love of skating.
Objectives:
- Provide a progressive curriculum that ensures success from the first steps on the ice to the mastery of advanced skills.
- Teach children and adults the fundamentals of ice skating while building confidence and skills through each lesson.
- Promote health and fitness benefits of ice skating.
- Equip each participant with the foundation necessary for them to reach their goals be it recreational or competitive in nature.
Contact Katelyn Smecko, Skating Director for more questions! (608)669-4611 or ksmecko.sunprairielts@gmail.com
The Skating Academy Professional Staff
All Skating Academy coaches are members of USFS and/or Professional Skaters Association. We have over 50 years combined coaching experience and are here to serve you!
Please click on the “figure skating” tab and go to “coaches” on the drop down menu to see the professional experience each of our coaches can offer to you or your skaters.
Class Levels
All new skaters with no previous lesson experience will register as follows:
Ages 3-6 : Snowplow Sam 1
Ages 7-12 : Basic 1
Ages 13-18 We are not currently running an adult class, but skaters are encouraged to register for Basic 1 class and we will do our best to group skaters according to age.
Skaters will progress through a series of skill levels. Skaters must register for Learn to Skate USA prior to registering for their first skating session of the season. See “Learn to Skate USA registration information” on this page. Curriculum is set by Learn to Skate USA guidelines to ensure a successful progression of skill mastery. Please see Skill Levels PDF for complete class curriculum.
Skaters who continue to advance through the levels will learn skills that will prepare them to compete in figure skating or play hockey!
Learn to Skate USA
All Skating Academy students must register for a Learn to Skate USA membership before enrolling in the Skating Academy classes. You will need your Learn to Skate USA membership number to register for Skating Academy beginning September 1.
Skaters who registered last season will need to renew their memberships this fall. Membership runs annually: July 1- June 30.
Join Learn to Skate USA today! Membership includes a skating progress booklet with stickers that we will be using in class to chart your skill progression and a subscription to the Basic Skills skating magazine. Use the button below to go to Learn to Skate USA’s site and register.
Give your skater an “EDGE” up! Learn to skate, then learn to play hockey!
Benefits of learning to skate before learning to play hockey:
Our Learn to Skate USA program is endorsed by USA Hockey and we will teach you the basic skills that will help you succeed as a hockey player! You will learn forward and backward skating, stops, curves and turns BEFORE you learn how to play hockey.
Skaters ages 3-6 are recommended to complete Snowplow Sam 1 and 2. Skaters ages 7-12 are recommended to complete Basic 1 and 2 levels.
All hockey gear is acceptable, but please NO sticks or pucks.
Class days and times
All classes meet one time per week for 30 minutes. Class registration fee includes one class per week and skate rental.
Practice Ice – To improve takes practice!
Just like playing a musical instrument or any other sport to improve your skills takes practice and focus!
Practice ice will either precede or follow class lesson times:
Tuesdays: 5:10-5:40 or 5:45-6:15 depending on what time your class is, practice ice will preceed or follow your classes.
Practice ice is for focused skill review and for registered Skating Academy students, no parents or siblings allowed on ice. Skaters will skate on one half or 1/4 of ice surface as classes are held on other half of surface. Coaches will supervise the practice times, but this is not a lesson time.
Your First Day of Classes
Important information regarding your first day, please read to be prepared to skate!
What to Wear
Warm layered clothing that skaters can move in, a multi-sport helmet, gloves or mittens. Please no super bulky snow pants or suits, knee or elbow pads. These restrict movement and make it difficult to learn and skate.
When to Arrive
To ensure your skater has an enjoyable experience, we recommend arriving 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled class. The skater will then have time to settle, use the restroom and get their skates on. It is stressful for skaters, parents and coaches when skaters are late.
Where to Go
Skaters should enter the TUBBS arena and proceed to their immediate LEFT down the ramp to skate rental counter.
Upon entering the main doors go to your immediate left to enter the Tubbs arena – if you go straight through double doors, you will be in the arena lobby area and may not find your classes.
All classes are held in the Tubbs arena. Proceed to skate rental and then to an assigned locker room. Please do not tie your skates in the lobby area as we need that room for skaters. Bring all your belongings to your assigned locker room each week. Skaters will meet their coach in the locker room the first class and then will wait at ice door for coach the remainder of the lessons. No skaters are allowed on the ice without a coach.
Where to Go
Skaters should enter the TUBBS arena and proceed to their immediate LEFT down the ramp to skate rental counter.
Upon entering the main doors go to your immediate left to enter the Tubbs arena – if you go straight through double doors, you will be in the arena lobby area and may not find your classes.
All classes are held in the Tubbs arena. Proceed to skate rental and then to an assigned locker room. Please do not tie your skates in the lobby area as we need that room for skaters. Bring all your belongings to your assigned locker room each week. Skaters will meet their coach in the locker room the first class and then will wait at ice door for coach the remainder of the lessons. No skaters are allowed on the ice without a coach.
More Information
Please scroll down this column for more information regarding special events, practice ice and other useful tips.
