The Scott Hamilton Skating Academy's Learn to Skate program is available at Ford Ice Center Antioch and Bellevue and uses Learn to Skate USA curriculum.
The program is designed to serve the needs of both recreational and competitive skaters by teaching figure skating and hockey skills. All of our coaches are committed to sharing a fun and positive experience that will instill a lifelong love of skating. Our mission is to make skating available to people of all ages, descriptions and ambitions.
Thank you for registering for Scott Hamilton Skating Academy Learn to Skate classes, the #1 Learn to Skate program in the South! This email is a reminder for all registered athletes and families on how to check-in for classes upon arrival at Ford Ice Centers. Follow our simple 1-4 steps to the ice below!
STEP #1 | CHECK IN
All athletes must stop by our check in table located just outside the North Rink (Antioch) and Rink 2 (Bellevue) inside Ford Ice Centers. Here our friendly staff will verify your enrollment, waiver on file, and walk you through where to go to get rental skates, meet your coach, etc!
STEP #2 | NAME BADGE, ATTENDANCE CARD AND EQUIPMENT
Name Badge - All registered athletes must stop by to see SHSA Coordinator at our Scott Box to receive their name badge for new session with class level. Keep this name badge the entire session of classes and wear weekly! Return badge on last week - we recycle them!
Attendance Card - You will also pick up your class attendance card. No athlete will be allowed on the ice without attendance card for safety
Equipment - If you need to borrow rental skates for classes, this is where you will pick them up as well! Show your athlete's name badge to rental counter attendant. New skaters should wear figure skate rentals, hockey skates slow the learning process down during the first 14 weeks of learning to skate
Generally, the closer a skate fits to a foot, the more control it offers. Skates should keep feet snug and immobile, but toes should be able to wiggle.
Lacing Skates:
Push the heel way back into the boot, gently pull the tongue up and secure it, before tucking it against the foot.
Laces should be snug through the ankle and bottom tow sets of hooks. The top two hooks can be a touch looser to keep the ankle flexible!
Never walk on hard surfaces, metal bleachers or concrete with skates on, it ruins the blade and creates an unsuccessful time on the ice!
STEP #3 | WHERE TO MEET YOUR COACH!
Antioch: North Rink inside by plexiglass signs with class roster! Find your athletes level and name! Wait there!
Bellevue:
New athletes!! All Scott's Tots 1, Basic 1, and Go Skate Classes will meet coach in back of skate rental counter.
Returning Athletes Scott's Tots 2-4, Basic 2-6, Freeskate, Hockey, Adult Levels meet inside Rink 2, find your Level and Name on Plexiglass rosters and wait for coach to meet you. Adult list and Hockey list are located furthest down the wall toward the Zamboni entrance.
STEP #4 | AFTER CLASS
Rental Skates - If you/athlete borrow skates for classes, we kindly ask you to tuck laces and tongue in (the way you received them) and stack soiled skates neatly as a pair on the skate rental counter. It speeds up the process of sanitation, especially on days we have multiple back-to-back classes. Thank you for your cooperation on this!
FRIENDLY REMINDERS
Pre-registration is still required for all programs.
If you are not feeling well, please stay home and speedy recovery to you!
Participants must check in at the front desk before all programs.
Make-up classes - Life happens, we get that, but we do not offer make-up classes due to the high volume of class participants.
RECOMMENDED ATTIRE AND WHAT TO BRING
Equipment: To ensure a positive on ice experience, skates should be tied very tight from the bottom laces all the way to the top!
Helmet - protect your noggin! Bike helmets are GREAT! Bring it!
Gloves
Long sleeves
Pants (No jeans)
Winter jacket/fleece top
Long thin socks (thick socks limit support and create unwanted bumps inside the skates)
Adults/Teens: Long sleeves, Pants, Helmet/knit cap, Wrist guards.
WEEK #1 (and sometimes into week 2)
Please be patient as we get all our new athletes finding their groove and settling into the space!
Week #1 on ice, we also look to see if all athletes are in the correct class/level. We move athletes up and down based on overall class to be sure each athlete is being challenged, successful, and class participants are moving relatively at the same speed.
MAKE UP CLASS POLICY
We understand that conflicts may arise during a learn to skate session. Unfortunately, we cannot offer make-up classes. Class registration allows athletes to attend public sessions for
SHARE YOUR JOYS & CONCERNS - REACH OUT!
Paula Trujillo | Director SHSA | ptrujillo@nashvillepredators.com
Peter Sasmore | Program and Event Coordinator Antioch| psasmore@nashvilepredators.com
Shawnee Appell | Program and Event Coordinator Bellevue | sappell@nashvillepredators.com
Learn to Skate Guide
Step 1: Sign Waiver
Every participant must have a waiver on file.
Step 2: First Day of Class
Arrive 30 minutes early on your first day to settle into your space and/or pay for classes.
Check in at the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy kiosk in front of the North Rink.
Pick up your class attendance card. Pick this up each week prior to heading to the ice and turn in to your coach rinkside. For the safety of your skater, no skater will be allowed on the ice without an attendance card.
Pick up your skates. Attendance cards must be visible to the front-desk staff to receive skates for class. Make sure your shoes are off when you reach the counter to exchange for skates.
Rinkside: Find your name on the class level signs along the glass and meet your Scott Hamilton Skating Academy coach.
Week 1: Discount card to use at concession stands at Ford Ice Center and Bridgestone Arena
Week 2: Scott Hamilton Skating Academy gear
Week 3: 10 public passes on your account at Ford Ice Center
Week 4: Sticker book from Learn to Skate USA delivered to your mailing address on file
Recommended Attire:
Strongly recommended: Helmet (or bike helmet)
Hockey skates (or rentals)
For Hockey 1-5 Levels
Helmet is mandatory for Hockey 1-5
Gloves
Long sleeves
Pants (No jeans)
Winter jacket/fleece top
Long thin socks (thick socks limit support and create unwanted bumps inside the skates)
Adults/Teens:
Long sleeves
Pants
Helmet/knit cap
Wrist guards
Skate Fit Tips:
Generally, the closer a skate fits to a foot, the more control it offers. Skates should keep feet snug and immobile, but toes should be able to wiggle.
Lacing Skates:
Push the heel way back into the boot, gently pull the tongue up and secure it, before tucking it against the foot.
Pull the second or third set of laces from the bottom tightly to close the boot well over the front of the foot.
Laces should be snug through the ankle are and bottom two sets of hooks. The top two hooks can be a touch looser to keep the ankle flexible!
Never walk on hard surfaces, metal bleachers or concrete with skates on, it ruins the blade and creates an unsuccessful time on the ice!
Classes are all 30 minutes of instruction followed by seven minutes of practice time
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: Development of skills and skill mastery
Week 3: Development of skills and skill mastery
Week 4: Development of skills and skill mastery
Week 5: Development of skills and skill mastery
Week 6: Each skater receives a written evaluation and recommendation for their next level. Early bird discounts begin for future sessions (receive $10 off your next session)
Week 7: Graduation ceremoy and introduction to next level skills. Invite your family and friends to show off your progress
We understand that conflicts may arise during a seven-week session. Unfortunately, we cannot offer make-up classes. In the event of an absence, two public skating passes will be provided for the child to practice on their own. This is a one-time compensation per session. Public skating passes have no expiration date.
