Questions about Lessons
When does a skater normally begin taking private lessons?
Taking private lessons is a personal choice made by the skater and his/her parents. Some parents prefer to wait to see if their skater truly loves the sport enough to explore it further with the assistance of a Professional Coach. The sessions at this club are divided into natural blocks of skill progressions. By the time a skater moves out of CanSkate and into the Intro to STAR Session, they are usually ready to try a private lesson and it is recommended.
Can my skater progress in Figure Skating without taking private lessons?
The answer is yes and no. This club offers a wide variety of group style lessons at the Intro to STAR (and higher) levels designed to enhance the program and allow all skaters to continue to learn the basics of skating. So, yes – your skater can continue to learn more about skating without taking private lessons. However, be aware that group lessons can only provide the basic information for a skater. They cannot provide personal direction or detailed assistance that a private lesson is designed to do. Private lessons are to allow your skater to progress safely as the skills they are learning become more intricate. A private coach is required on our Intermediate and Senior sessions and highly recommended on Intro to Starskate.
How much do lessons cost?
Lessons are generally 15 minutes in length and the Coaches set their own lesson prices. Lesson rates can range depending on a coaches certification level, years of coaching and overall experience. Please contact the coach of your choice directly to discuss their lesson rate and availability.
How many lessons should my child receive per week?
This is completely dependent upon the skill level and ability of your skater and the availability of the Coach. Generally speaking, skaters working in the sessions listed below will take the following number of lessons per week to proceed at a good rate.
- Intro to STAR: 1 to 2 lessons a week
- Intermediate: 2 to 3 lessons a week
- Senior: 2 to 5 lessons a week
How do I choose a Coach?
Choosing the right Coach for your skater is a very important decision. All of the Coaches at our Club have been professionally trained to teach and are required to be a Coaching Member in good standing with Skate Canada. The choice of Coach is completely at your discretion. Please check our website for the contact information and brief biography of each of our coaches to familiarize yourself with our excellent Coaching Staff.
How do I set up a lesson with a coach?
Inquire with the Coach of your choice DIRECTLY whether he/she has any available time during the session on which your child skates. Inquire about cost and billing procedures and about what to do if your child must miss a lesson. All verbal contracts are between you and the Coach. The Board of Directors of the Club does not become involved with communication between Coaches and skaters/parents.
What if I want to change coaches? I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.
Coaches are independent subcontractors who work at the Club but are not employees of the Club. They are fully aware of the ebb and flow of occasional skater movement between Coaches and will proceed professionally when approached with a request such as this. This is what is generally acceptable when a parent wishes to change Coaches.
- a) Approach the new Coach of choice and inquire whether he/she has any available time.
- b) Talk to the current Coach and tell him/her that you intend to make a Coaching change. The choice to change is completely at your discretion and you are under no obligation to explain your decision in any detail, however, common courtesy dictates that you give the current Coach some reasoning behind your decision.
- c) Ask the current Coach to complete a final invoice which you will pay promptly. Be aware that the new Coach cannot begin to teach your child until the previous Coach’s invoice has been paid.
