Are Skate UK lessons value for money?

[Paul 2]

I thought that might get your attention!

I've just started Skate UK level 3, the lessons are now 45 mins instead of an hour, it just doesn't seem long enough (and its the same price!)

Ideally I would like 30 mins to warm up, get my balance etc, then have an hours lesson, then have a t least an hour to practice what is taught in the lesson. Is anybody able to do this? Why are private lessons so short, about 15 minutes? Is it a 'plot' to keep the skating techniques a secret?!

I wish I had never started learning to skate at the moment! I have just done level 2 and week one of level 3 lessons. I can't do any of the level 3
elements at the moment, I don't seem to have any natural ability at this!

Does anybody else think that 'backward skating & two foot glide' in level 4 should be in level 3? Surely you need to able to do that before you can do 'backward sculling', which is in level 3? I find backward skating very difficult, and backward sculling impossible.

I know I always seem to moan when I come on here, but it all seems soooo difficult and frustrating! Any words of advice or encouragement gratefully received!

Derek, did you have the same problems early on?

Paul
Skate UK Level 2
Frustration Level - off the scale!

[sweeneytodd]

Truthfully if you are getting 45 minute lessons you are doing well.  In Skate UK  we had 30 minutes then free entry to the public session after. (not very useful on later levels as no space to practice things like 3 turns.)    However on the early stages I think they are good value.  You do need to try to get some pr actrise in besides the weekly lesson if possible though.

On the backwards sculling,  I learnt to roller skate and ice skate backwards this way, its far easier having your feet do both the same thing at the same time rather than work them separately.  If people ask me to show them haw to go backwards it is what i would suggest and push off from the barrier to get some momentum to start with.

Another thing to look at is  if you can find a friend of a similar level see if you can share a private lesson between the pair of you,  (if your rink allows it).  That way you get the half hour lesson for the price of the 15 minutes.   Don't worry about the moaning we all have spates of it.

[dippytrout27]

Hi Paul

I have been skating for a year and started private lessons 3 months ago.  There are times when I get sooo frustrated because I can't do an element (been trying a mohawk for 6 months and still can't do it) but I try to remember what I was like at the beginning and realise how much I have actually learnt.  Private lessons are expensive and do come in 15 min blocks but if you can afford it you can have 30, 45, 60 mins etc.  I have 30 mins 1-1 and 2 group lessons most weeks and it really does make a huge diference.

Sorry bout the rambling but what I'm trying to say is stick with it mate, it WILL get better 

[Derek]

I don't think I found any of the elements easy, all the way through the skate uk programme. In my case, I definitely have no natural ability, just determination to give it my best shot.

The warm up issue is always a problem, it even occurs at competition level, where skaters are expected to step onto the ice and do a programme in front of judges and spectators with only a few seconds warm up. It does get easier with more practice, my advice is warm up as much as possible OFF ICE so you are only concentrating on the balance issue when you step onto the ice.

Skulling is actually easier than stroking (normal skating), since both feet remain in contact with the ice, so is presented first to get the skater used to moving backwards. Again, lots of practice is the answer here, I used public ice. I used to supplement each 30 min lesson with about 3 hours minimum of practice each week. Skating backwards requires lifting each foot, and the glide requires speed, so more competence is expected - hence level 4.

As for having a moan, well that is where these forums are great isnt it ! As you can see, nobody minds, in fact it reminds me how much I struggled during those earlier levels.

Hang in there, and good luck!

Derek

[lighting28]

I would say you are getting good value for money if you are getting 45 mins and can skate before and after too.

Ours are 30 minutes, the difference with a private lesson of 15 minutes is you are one on one rather than groups, it is more expensive but I don't know how a coach can help you in the group lessons as they can't give you the proper attention you need.

I was surprised how much is done in a 15 minute lesson, they seem to fly through things when it is one on one.

Paul, I would just keep practising, it will come to you eventually.

[sweeneytodd]

Glad I wasn't the only one struggling with Mohawks,  I couldn't sleep the week before test week even though I had worked like anything on them.  Could do them OK  one way  but not the other,  then managed to fluke one on my poor foot the first time during the test.

Do bear in mind Paul that it is harder  for some than others,  plus also a few people in Skate UK have been to the rink quite a bit before they start.  Even if they have been only  5 or 6 times its equivalent to the amount of skating you do on a 6 week course (without the lessons).  If it makes you feel any better I do know someone who has taken level 3 test  the third time and just scraped through it.  She  has really struggled but is keeping going. Her skating is looking a lot better too with the practise and the extra time.

[Paul 2]

Hi,

Thanks for all the tips guys, it made me feel a bit better, although I was relegated to the bottom half of our level 3 class on Monday!

I have to disagree with you Derek that skulling is actually easier than stroking (normal skating), given that I can do normal skating (but not well enough to keep me in the top half of the class), but can I heckers like do any sculling! See my post in the reverse sculling topic.

Nil desperandum carborundum.

Paul
York

[Derek]

I have to disagree with you Derek that skulling is actually easier than stroking (normal skating

I think I chose my words badly, by 'easier', I was inferring less effort, assuming equal levels of skill in both techniques.

[sweeneytodd]

I feel the forwards and backwards are two different scenarios.   You have to be able to move about on the ice to start with so you pick up a little  of forwards skating before you begin the sculling so it does seem hard.  Backwards skating for some people is totally unknown so the  sculling can be the slightly easier option to start with for some people, as less to think about and coordinate as both legs and feet are doing the same thing.

Compare it to walking skipping and running backwards,   although theoretically it's not much harder than   forwards it's not an everyday practice so can be harder to coordinate than it really should be.