Skate Lessons

Group lessons

We are excited to offer group skating lessons for beginning and early intermediate skaters of all ages! The rink will be closed to other skaters during these times.

Preschool

Group lessons for beginning skaters ages 4-5 will be available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Please see the schedule below for times and dates. Preschool classes will focus on skating fundamentals, including rink/ice safety, starting and stopping, getting up, changing directions, and other skills. Please note that any child enrolled in a group class should be able to stand and move independently on the ice; if your child is a true beginner (has never been on skates), please consider booking a few private lessons early in the season and joining session 2! Parents of preschool students must remain onsite for the duration of the lesson. Sign up for the lessons here.

Elementary

Group lessons for elementary school children, ages 5 to 10 will be available on Saturday mornings. Please see the schedule below for times and dates. These classes will focus on the following skills: falling and getting up, basic stroking and stopping, basic balance on two- and one-foot glides, beginner backward skating, turning from forward to backward, and other beginner skills that the instructors deem appropriate for the class level. Please note that any child enrolled in a group class should be able to stand and move independently on the ice.

Senior

Group lessons for seniors will focus on mastering skating fundamentals in a relaxed, social setting. Please see the schedule below for times and dates. Depending on the skill level of the class, lessons may focus on starting and stopping, changing direction, crossovers, and other skills. Instructors will work with each participant based on his or her skill and comfort level; all participants should be comfortable moving across the ice without support. The rink will be closed to other skaters during this time.

Schedule

Coaches

Please reach out to either Kristin Burkhart OR Janine Prete to schedule private or semi-private lessons.

Janine Prete, 845-629-4612 [email protected]

Janine is passionate about the sport of figure skating and has been coaching both children & adults from beginners to competitive skaters, for almost 18 years. She began skating at the age of 6 and trained with some of the most prestigious coaches (including National & Olympic Champions) in both Singles Figure Skating and Moves in the Field.

Kristin Burkhart, 203-219-9272 [email protected]

Kristin is a U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist. She trained with World and Olympic coaches Peter Burrows and Tommy Litz. Kristin has worked with beginners to National Collegiate competitors and has worked with hockey players developing edges and power skating. Throughout her years as a coach she has trained and produced double gold medalists in figure skating.

Jane Lane (group lessons only)

Jane is a U.S. Figure Skating member and double gold medalist with the Skating Club of New York and Fairfield County. She has competed regionally and locally, up to and including at the senior level. Jane has previously taught group skating lessons to young children of a variety of ages and abilities.

Group lesson rates

The cost for each 4-week series is $175 per skater. The group lesson rate includes instruction and the skater’s admission to the rink for each of the four classes. The rate also includes one makeup class, as needed, for cancellations due to inclement weather. Payment for the entire series is due at the time of enrollment.

Skate rentals for skate sizes 11 – 5 will be available to group lesson students at $3/rental.

Group lesson enrollment

To sign up for PRESCHOOL group lessons, please click here and then complete your payment on the “Group lesson payment” page. Payment for the full series is due at the time of enrollment. We will require four skaters per group to run a class; if your desired class is not offered due to insufficient enrollment, we will contact you to switch classes or process a refund.

To sign up for ELEMENTARY lessons, please visit the New Canaan Parks and Recreation Department website. To sign up for SENIOR lessons, please contact the Lapham Community Center.

Lesson policies

We will offer one makeup lesson per session for cancellations due to inclement weather. If we need to cancel a class, we will do so via email at least 30 minutes prior to the lesson start time. Parents and skaters are always welcome to call the rink to confirm that we are open.

Please note that all skaters must wear helmets for the duration of any lessons. Neither the instructors nor the rink staff are permitted to assist skaters in putting on helmets and/or skates.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.