I have coached many students; some pick up skating very fast while others take a longer time. Those fast learners have somethings in common;

• • No fear ~ That’s why most kids learn fast. When you are afraid and tense, your brain can’t absorb my explanations. Your legs muscles can’t “memorise” the steps and postures. Learn to let go and relax, don’t hold back.

  • Listen and ask ~ When I am explaining and breaking down the skills, it is very important that students pay attentions. Always ASK if you have doubts. I understand sometimes it’s hard to understand the physics of skating. Swallow it and just do what I instruct. You will be finally enlightened as we progress.

  • Focus and follow ~ When you focus and follow my steps/instructions closely, you will make less mistakes. Thus you will progress fast. I will correct you endlessly when something is not right.

  • Practise ~ We all know practice makes perfect but we need to practise CORRECTLY to make it perfect. Recap and refresh what I have demonstrated to you when you practise yourself. When you keep do the skills over and over again, it will be programmed into your muscle memory.

Most of us, if not everyone, would like to master a skill in a shortest time. However you have to set a realistic time frame to master to skate. If you are totally new or weak in motor (movement) skills, spread out your lessons. Do some practices between the lessons.

If students practise hard and complete all the assigned skills in less than 4 lessons, I do reward them with skills from next level for free. For instances, spin stop or parallel-turn which many students are fancy about.

If you intend to use rental skates, purchase good skates that fit as soon as you have decided to skate for long period. Rental skates have been worn by many non-skaters. The liners, cushions and insoles are probably in bad condition, and cannot wrap your feet firmly, resulting pronating ankle and wobbling.

In a group class, there is always someone picks up faster while someone takes a longer time. However, please DO NOT stress your kid if you think your neighbour’s kid can skates better. What you only need to know is your kid is skating better at the last minute of the session than at the 1st minute of the session. Treat the skating lessons as an enjoying learning program.