ice skating

Once You See the Results,
it Becomes an Addiction

Our Thursday evening and Sunday morning 6 week courses are aimed at beginners of all ages who want to learn the basics of ice skating. Skate UK is the BIS (British Ice Skating) flagship Learn to Skate programme that teaches fundamental movements and basic skills. Our qualified coaches will help you towards becoming a better and more confident skater as you progress through the Learn to Skate grades, 1 to 8.

We follow the official learn to skate programme by British Ice Skating, Skate UK which teaches the FUNdamental skills of ice skating in a safe, active, encouraging and, most importantly, fun learning environment. Designed for all ages, Skate UK incorporates the essential A, B, C’s of an ice skater’s development: Agility, Balance and Coordination. Together with the different learning phases: Discovering, Developing and Consolidating, the programme is designed to engage a skater’s interests, build their confidence and challenge their athletic and technical development in ice skating as they progress through the levels.

PHASE 1 DISCOVERING PHASE

Levels 1-3 “Discovering” Skill Phase which encompasses the fundamental skating skills required to start your ice skating journey, by the end of this phase skaters will have a clear understanding of forward and backward skating, forward and backward stopping and of edges and how to use them.

PHASE 2 DEVELOPING PHASE

Levels 4-6 “Developing” Skill Phase strengthens the fundamental skating skills and builds upon them. On completion of this phase skaters will have a working knowledge of forward and backward stroking, forward and backward crossovers and transitioning from forwards to backwards and backwards to forwards.

PHASE 3 CONSOLIDATING PHASE

Levels 7-8 “Consolidating” Skill Phase, we are now reinforcing previous skills taught and linking them together with increased quality and confidence throughout.

On taking part in this course you’ll need a “Skate UK Record of Achievement” book for each passing level – these are available from the box office at £3 each. For each level passed, a certificate can be collected from the box office at a price of £2.00 each, and badges are available at a price of £3.00 each.

All participants are required to be able to make their way onto the ice and stand unaided before beginning a SkateUK course.

Booking for courses can be made at any time during the preceding course, however the first week of each set of lessons is only open to current participants. After the first week, bookings are opened up for new customer so early booking is advised as places are limited.

SkateUK Dates:


4th & 7th Jan to 8th & 11th Feb
15th & 18th Feb to 21st & 24th March
28th & 31st March to 2nd & 5th May
9th & 12th May to 13th & 16th June
20th & 23rd June to 25th & 28th July
1st & 4th Aug to 29th Aug & 1st Sept (1/2 price)

Once level 8 has been completed, there are a number of options open to the skater:

  • You can become a member of the Bradford Ice Skating Club, which is on a Tuesday and Thursday evening, giving you an hour to practice at your own speed.
  • Throughout the grades, personal one to one tuition is available from BIS trained professionals.
  • You may decide that Ice Hockey is more your area and therefore can attend beginners hockey sessions on Wednesday evenings.

6 Weeks SkateUK Learn to Skate Course

Thursday Evening, Sunday Morning

30 min x 6 wks

Thursday
Grades 1-4 6.30pm-7pm
Grades 5-8 7pm-7.30pm.

Sunday
Grades 1-4 10.30am-11am
Grades 5-8 10am-10.30am.

5+ y/o
Aimed at beginners from the age of 5+ who want to learn the basics of ice skating.
Thursday

£62

6 lessons/person
Sunday

£62

6 lessons/person
Thurs. & Sun.

£95

12 lessons/person
good to know

SkateUK – Basic Skills Programme

The SkateUK is a programme of basic skills; these are the fundamentals of the sport. Once a skater has completed this programme then they have the basic knowledge of the sport. This programme is tested under a progressive and continuous testing structure.
Level 1 – SkateUK
  • Sit down and stand up
  • March forwards across the ice
  • Forward two foot glide
  • Skate and Dip (Little Man)
  • Turn around on the spot
Level 2 – SkateUK
  • Backwards Marching across the ice
  • Forward Swizzles (Lemons)
  • Forward two foot glide on a curve (left and right)
  • Two foot turn on the spot (forwards to backwards, back to forwards)
  • Snowplough or T-Stop
Level 3 – SkateUK
  • Forward stroking (showing correct use of blade)
  • Moving two foot turn (forwards to backwards, back to forwards)
  • Backwards Swizzles (Lemons)
  • Back two foot glide
  • Forward one foot glide (left and right)
Level 4 – SkateUK
  • Forward outside edges on a circle (left and right)
  • Forward inside edges on a circle (left and right)
  • Basic forward Slalom (basic outside / inside edges)
  • Forward continuous Chasses around a circle (left and right)
Level 5 – SkateUK
  • Backward outside edges on a circle (left and right)
  • Backward inside edges on a circle (left and right)
  • Backward continuous chasses around a circle (clockwise and counter-clockwise)
  • Forward crossovers (clockwise and anti-clockwise)
  • Forward outside three turns (left and right) from standstill
Level 6 – SkateUK
  • Forward inside three turn (left and right) from standstill
  • Backward outside edges step to forward outside edge on a circle
  • Backward crossovers (clockwise and anti-clockwise)
  • Backward two foot Slalom
  • Two foot spin (min 2 revs)
Level 7 – SkateUK
  • Forward inside open Mowhawk (left and right)
  • Backward crossovers to landing position glide
  • Continuous forward outside edges along a straight line (as per Level 1 – Field Moves)
  • Continuous forward inside edges along a straight line (as per Level 1 – Field Moves)
  • Basic forward Cross rolls
Level 8 – SkateUK
  • Continuously outside three turns around a circle (3 in a row); left and right
  • Continuous inside three turns around a circle (3 in a row); left and right
  • Step sequence: Three turns, Mowhawk, Cross rolls, Twizzles, Toe steps ect.
  • Forward inside single Twizzle (left and right) (Hockey skaters forward Drag; left and right)
  • One foot spin (min 2 revs) (Hockey skaters 2 foot spin; min 4 revs)

Private Lessons and Patch Ice

Many hours of ice time are dedicated to figure skating training. These dedicated sessions are called patches. The patches of ice are separated into ability levels, ‘Senior, Junior and Any Standard’ patches are available for skaters to take part in private lessons with qualified coaches or practice their skills on their own.
Figure skating is an athletic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level (senior), and at local, national, and international competitions.
Wikipedia
  • Bradford Ice Arena

    over 55 years old!

    In January 1966 Mecca Leisure Limited opened the ice rink in Bradford under the name of the Silver Blades Ice Rink, it was reputed to be “The finest rink in the world”, with coloured lighting in the barriers, sparkling chandeliers over the ice, and a plush bar and restaurant. The resplendently dressed skaters were entertained with organ music. The opening gala at the rink had performances by British skaters who had just returned from the World Championships, they included Sally Anne Stapleford, John Curry and ice dancers Bernard Ford and Diane Towler.

Our Special Lessons and Camps
clubs

Bradford Bulldogs, Ice Wolves, Cannibals, Bradford Ice Skating Club, Bradford Speed Skating Club, Bradford Synchronised Skating Academy

Bradford Bulldogs at Bradford Ice Arena
Bradford Icewolves at Bradford Ice Arena
Bradford Ice Skating Club
Bradford Ice Speed Skating Club

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