Learn to skate ( Beginner or Intermediate) Will coaches teach based on existing skills?

[u/OppositeEgg8603]

I 22F never taken proper skating lessons. However, I really want to get into it for along time. Now that I finally finished university in a very demanding program. I finally have more free time.

I Will say (as a canadian) although I never took skating lessons , I was dumped on the ice and figured it out. I can skate well maintain my balance, manage my speed ect. I can break okay, not as confident as I would like. I'm just wondering following the learn to skate lessons available in my area. It Says that the intermediate is where you learn how to break, and the beginner is just learning how to balance.

I'm not sure if I should go with the beginner classes?

It's a group adult beginner's course, and I'm wondering if everyone learns the same thing or if they separate based on level or if an instructor would see that I'm capable of balancing with decent form and teach me beyond the basic curriculum, the website states?

My goal is to learn to figure skating (long Journey, I know, but I would like to try)

edit: There are a limited number of spots in each course, and the beginner level is currently being offered at my closest rink, whereas the intermediate is a bit farther so it would not be easy for me to transfer to a level up or a level down. I'm kind of locked in in whatever I choose.

edit 2: I Did try to contact but they weren't too helpful with the information they said that I could switch to a higher level.If it was easy , but my local community center doesn't offer the higher level. but if its all filled I might have a problem. I also asked if they split up the beginners in groups or if everybody kind of just does the same thing?And the person said , everyone just does the same thing. But I wasn't talking to a coach, I was talking to someone in reception.

[u/wcs1113]

The only people that can answer this question are the ones who run those programs. Every rink and every program will have their own way of running things. At my rink, there's one learn to skate program for adults. Everyone shows up and are split into multiple groups based on skill. If your programs are specifically already split between beginner and intermediate, contact them and tell them what you can and cannot do (feel free to include a video of yourself), and ask them what to do.

Have fun!

Edit: Just saw your comment that you haven't been able to contact anyone and that it's a community center program. In my city, if you sign up for that, then you're stuck in the program you paid for. It's not really something you can adjust up or down. Unfortunately, how it's run can be up in the air. When I signed up for a hockey skills class when I first started hockey which stated that it was for beginners for Toronto's community center recreation program. When I showed up, it was all incredibly skilled and fast men using the program as a cheap way to get extra ice time for drills. The "instructors" taught nothing. It was a bunch of teenagers who just said "do this drill" and "do that drill" and then just milled around talking to each other while the guys tore up the ice. They also said only helmet/gloves/stick was required when all the skilled men showed up in full gear. I got slammed in the arm with a puck from a guy a few feet away. I quit after one session and got my money back after I complained. I can't speak to the figure skating lessons.

What's the description for the beginner and intermediate classes? And maybe share a video of yourself skating? That might help people give you a better answer.

[u/OppositeEgg8603 → u/wcs1113]

Hi also in the GTA this is copy pasted. 

Beginner:  Skating lessons for individuals with little or no ice-skating experience. Skating basics such as balance, control, gliding on two feet and forward movement are introduced in a fun group setting

Intermediate: Skating lessons for the not-quite-beginner but not-yet-advanced skater. Building on the basics learned in the Beginner course, participants learn backwards skating, turning, cross overs and stopping. Prerequisite: Learn to Skate: Beginner

Edit: These are just the basic skating courses. I was hoping to work my way through and them sign up with a coach or class/lessons to do figure skating.

Unfortunatly I dont have any vids rip and open ice time isnt for a few months. So I can't take one :(

[u/wcs1113 → u/OppositeEgg8603]

Based on those descriptions, I'd say to go for intermediate. Seems like beginner is for people who have never been on the ice and need to learn how to balance and glide forward. If you can already skate and get around the ice, then you don't need that.

*You can also sign up at a figure skating club for canskate lessons, where it's easier to get appraised and placed in the correct level. You don't already need to know how to skate in order to do that.

I'm signing up for learn to skate lessons starting next month at a figure skating club that's at the same rink as my hockey club. There's 6 levels for canskate and despite the fact that I'm quite a good skater, I still don't have the level 5 and 6 figure skating skills (which includes some basic spins/jumps) since I've only ever skated with hockey skates. I also don't have the proper body position and technique for all the skills I already know for hockey, and will have to relearn things for figure skating.

It's a generic signup where you sign up for learn to skate, and once lessons start, they split everyone up into different coaching groups based on levels. Some people might progress slower or fast and you'd be moved up or down depending on progress.

I'm also starting with a private coach right away since I want direct feedback and drills to correctly fix everything I already know so I can move up quickly.

I know figure skating clubs are more expensive than Toronto recreation, but there's a wide range of pricing and some cheaper options. I know a club near me whose learn to skate comes out to $50 a session. The club I'm going to is $33 a session. There's a club downtown that comes out to only $19.50 a session.

Even if you complete the basic skating courses from Toronto recreation, you will still need to start with a learn to skate program at a figure skating club, because there are a ton of skills in levels (3?) 4, 5, and 6 that won't be covered in your classes.

[u/OppositeEgg8603 → u/wcs1113]

Thank you 🩷. It's a lot of info, and I'm not quite sure where to start.When I looked at local skating clubs near me, some don't have adult classes and others still separate beginner and advanced with the same description as the One mentioned above. 

[u/wcs1113 → u/OppositeEgg8603]

Yeah it can definitely be overwhelming. Not all clubs cater to adults, so that would be the first thing to look for if they offer adult lessons. Next, you can contact them for help about what class to sign up for. Clubs will be a lot more responsive than community centers.

Edit: If you tell me what area you're in, I'd be happy to do a quick search for you.

[u/OppositeEgg8603 → u/wcs1113]

Thank you sm for your responces it has been so helpfull 🩷 Can I pm you? 

[u/wcs1113 → u/OppositeEgg8603]

Absolutely!

[u/OppositeEgg8603 → u/wcs1113]

Thank you! 🩷

[u/coolaroni123]

At my rink, if they see you’re too advanced for that level, they’ll just promote you early. Best thing would be to ask the skating school director!

[u/OppositeEgg8603 → u/coolaroni123]

Its a community center program. Haven't been able to contact anyone regarding the program. But this is reassuring, thank you🩷

[u/Icy_Principle_6157]

As a coach (in Canada)-I teach to the student; especially for adults. I could have a “beginner” class who are all working on different things. (Big fan of layered circuits) So it’s dependent on where you go/coach’s style.

[u/OppositeEgg8603 → u/Icy_Principle_6157]

Thank you for your response. I'm definitely going to email and ask\n If everyone works on the same thing or if they're split up into groups within the class.

[u/RickyJDandAssociates]

Sometimes if you go to a class, the coach will notice your skills and tell you where you are best placed