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.

Learn to Skate Winter 2023- Saturdays 2/25-3/18

Registrationhere

Learn to Skate August 2023- Tuesdays 9/19-10/24

Registrationhere

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.

Academy Registration

How To Register

To assist with online registration for a Skating Academy classes we’ve provided the following guidelines:

  1. Look at the class days and times available under class schedules “days/times
  2. Choose a class day and time
  3. Click on Registration link for the session you wish to register for
  4. Don’t forget: If you are a new student or continuing student who is registering for a new season, please join Learn To Skate USA before registering with us. You will need an LTS USA membership number to receive badges for skill progression at the end of your class. Plus, being a member has many nice benefits of it’s own.

All registrations are online.

Confirmations will not be made. Please plan on attending the class you have registered for unless you hear from us. Save your receipt and mark your lesson time on your calendars.

Season Schedule Fees

Four week class – $92/session

Five week class – $115/session

Six week class – $138/session

Seven week class – $161/session

Learn to Skate USA Membership Link

Refund Policy

No refunds will be given after the first class has met. We reserve the right to cancel or combine classes with low enrollment.

Class Make Up Policy

  • Skaters are allowed one make up class per session
  • Make up class must be made during current session
  • There are no make-up sessions during summer classes
  • Please contact Katelyn Smecko (608)669-4611 to get approval on class time