+ Practice Ice/Patch Ice Information for rinks across the UK! +

[Summershaz]

Can anyone help with Bracknell patches, I normally skate in swindon but because of work may have to practice there next week.

Was thinking the 9.30-10.30 patch or the evening 5.15-7, how busy are they and what's the level of skaters that go, as i'm older and doing my silver and gold passport i don't want to be out of my comfort zone 

[caffn8me]

from what i know you pay your coach if you have a lesson and if no lesson you pay head coach. dont think there is any restriction on levels.

You still pay your own coach if you're not having a lesson

Sarah.

[katepilarr]

You still pay your own coach if you're not having a lesson
Sarah.

well,  i didnt. was personally always told to pay roland.

[caffn8me]

well,  i didnt. was personally always told to pay roland.

That's probably because you skated on patch before you started having lessons didn't you?

All the coaches pay the same for their use of patch ice and if the head coach always collected money when a particluar skater's coach wasn't there it would give that coach a very unfair advantage financially.

Sarah

[The ice mouse]

Patch times for Billingham are as follows

Mornings

Monday - Thursday - 6.30am - 9.00am
Saturday - 7.00am - 9.15am
Sunday - 7.00am - 9.00am

Evenings

Monday - 3.30pm - 7.00pm
Tuseday - 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Wednesday - 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Thursday - 3.30pm - 5.00pm


The Ice Mouse

[katepilarr]

That's probably because you skated on patch before you started having lessons didn't you?

All the coaches pay the same for their use of patch ice and if the head coach always collected money when a particluar skater's coach wasn't there it would give that coach a very unfair advantage financially.

Sarah

hmmm. once before and once after .... not going into details here as that wouldnt be fair on them.

[caffn8me]

...besides which there are two head coaches and neither has precedence over the other (just to confuse things!)

Sarah

[transmissionoftheflame]

...besides which there are two head coaches and neither has precedence over the other (just to confuse things!)

Sarah

It is very confusing and a most odd system.  I have yet to see the logic of it, other than I suppose it simplifies life for the management.  I have been told that at Blackpool lessons are booked and paid for via the rink office and rent is charged to the coaches as a percentage of lesson fees; the rink office settles up weekly with the coaches.  Seems like that simplifies life for the coach and the skater and is also very fair as if a coach works less in a given week or wants to work part-time then their rent is proportionate.

[caffn8me]

Different rinks have different ways of doing things.  There are pros and cons to every system.

Sarah

[The ice mouse]

At Billingham the coaches are employed by the rink. You arrange your lesson times with your coach and then pay the rink (at least 2 days in advance). The price you pay includes entry to the session you are having your lesson on (public or patch). Seems to be working well at the moment

The Ice Mouse

[tharr]

For a while during yesterday’s afternoon/ evening patch at Streatham there was a group of 3-4 young men roaming around the rink, up & downstairs.
Didn’t appear to be there to skate, work or meet a member of staff, but perhaps were just looking for a way to become part of The Big Society.
Maybe worth keeping an extra eye on the whereabouts of what(who)ever of yours is there during patch.