It is highly recommend that skaters dress warmly in layers and wear gloves. It is easier to skate in pants that allow movement, such as leggings or sweat pants. Younger beginning skaters may want to consider a helmet, but it is not required. Parents are also encouraged to wear layers, but our heated café is open during Learn-to-Skate classes and has a great view of the ice.

Class Descriptions:

Snowplow Sam/Hockey Tots These two classes are formulated for younger skaters (between the ages of 2 and 5) to be able to learn the basic curriculum and beginning skating techniques, while having fun and learning to be comfortable on the ice.  Maneuvers learned in these classes include falling down and standing up, forward skating, backward skating, stopping, dips, and even small two foot hops.  After graduating from these classes, the young skaters will be prepared and comfortable enough to participate in Hockey 1-4, Learn-to-Play Hockey, or Basic 2.	Basic 1 through Basic 8 Basic 1 through Basic 8 classes take skaters through all the basic elements that one must build a foundation in before advancing to rotational jumps and more advanced spins.  Starting in Basic 1, you will learn how to fall down and stand up, work you way through marching and gliding on the ice, stopping, swizzles, and hopping.  You will build from there, completing Basic 8 with knowledge of edges, forward skating and backward skating maneuvers, turns, and finish with a waltz jump and starter scratch spin.
Hockey 1-4 After the completion of this class, hockey skaters will be prepared for Learn-to-Play Hockey which will prepare them to play in hockey leagues and teams.  Skaters in this class will learn basic hockey stops, pushes, and stances.  This class starts out almost the same as Basic 1 with falling down and standing up, marching, glides, and dips.  Sticks and equipment are not a requirement, and not provided at this level.	Freeskate 1 through 6 These classes prepare skaters for either competition or testing through the USFSA at higher levels (Pre-Preliminary and above).  In these classes skaters will learn all single rotation jumps and most traditional skating spins and eventually turn them into combinations and sequences.  They will also learn common footwork elements and start preparing their Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field.
Ice Dance and Moves in the Field Our ice dance and moves in the field class is for skaters that would like to spend quality time working on edges, turns, patterns, and skating to a certain rhythm or beat.  Dependent upon enrollment and level variations this class can be instructed at Pre-Bronze dances or Pre-Preliminary moves and has the possibility of going as high as Gold dances or Senior moves.	Advanced Jumps and Spins Skaters MUST have passed freestyle 6 to participate in this class.  Instructors will be focusing on perfecting already achieved jumps and spins, and working skaters through their axel and double jumps.  More advanced spins and positioning will also be taught.  This class will benefit skaters in Pre-Preliminary levels and above.
Theater-on-Ice Theater-on-Ice, for the purposes of this class, will be used as a mechanism for helping skaters develop a personality/character on ice and give them a feeling of performing.  It will also incorporate a team feeling, and prepare skaters for Oceanside's Theater-on-Ice team, which is still in development.  The skaters will work on short skit(s) and perform at least once during the series. *If interested please contact the Learn-to-Skate Director at the phone number or e-mail provided below.	Teens/Adult For this class we keep a smaller student to teacher ratio as many adults prefer one on one time with an instructor.  This allows adult skaters to learn at their own pace, and customize their lesson plan - therefore the skater is not limited to jumps, spins, dances, edges, and/or footwork.  This class will also range in skater ability as some adults could be returning skaters and some will be new to the sport.

For information, questions, or to register over the phone please contact Heather Luscombe (Learn-to-Skate Director) at 480-941-0944 X 11 or heather.luscombe@oceansideicearena.net