In rinks with only skill-level classes-"Free Style 5" "Freeskate 4"- you'll start seeing class enrollment drop off, as kids get bored or discouraged. A synchro program can help, although at least one local director thinks that Synchro teams run by municipal programs (as opposed to club-run) are problematic at best, and program-killing at worst.
Specialty classes, on the other hand, give kids a reason to skate, and can reward their strengths, instead of feeling like punishment for not measuring up.
For one thing, they aren't in any "curriculum" so you get to tailor them to your program. Have a lot of competitive kids? Take a page from USFS and do "media training" to teach kids (and parents) about how to promote themselves, and about responsible use of social media in a "professional" context. Or run "competition class" where kids act as judges, with training in ISI and ISU judging protocols.
If you have a lot of delusional kids, who think they're better than they are, rather than constantly berating them, have a choreography class, or junior coaching, or Moves.
Are you primarily recreational? Want to lure your regular public session people into more classes? How about Ice Games (races, rotation Olympics, or whatever you can some up with). Take a look at ISI competition categories, even if you're a Basic Skills rink. ISI has tons of marvelously creative categories-Couples, Family, Rhythmic, Team-that would be fantastic as a class (and might boost your rink's participation in ISI events).
I've always liked the idea of a permanent "clinics" class in the curriculum--three week classes that you can do a la carte (at a premium) or in a sets of three for a regular class rate. You could do these mini-sessions in Spins, Intro to Jumps, Choreo, doubles or triples, Axel or double axel, whatever you want. A class slot devoted to specialty clinics can help your coaches, as well, allowing them to sign on to present whatever their specialty is.
Specialty classes don't have to be on-ice, either. Keep people in your facility by offering them in sets-- practice ice/levels class/specialty class/off-ice class marathons, with a price break, to keep people in your facility. Throw in discount coupons for your pro shop or concession stand for people who sign up for this. Off-ice can be traditional conditioning-/dance-based classes including aerobics, or dance, or yoga, or pilates, but they can also be informational, like the above-suggested Media class, or training in judging protocols (parents would take this one, I bet), or "draw" class, where you learn about the marks that jumps, spins and moves make on the ice (literally, you draw them. I love draw class).
A lot of programs have Power and Jump classes, but too often these are just the levels classes with a different name. Your specialty classes should be just that--special.
Rotate the coaches through the classes. This is a great way to help younger coaches, by giving them the opportunity to really shine in something they're good at. Too many rinks never alter the schedule--they have Coach Seniority teaching FS6 on Tuesdays at 6 for 20 years; who cares if everyone hates Coach Seniority and only his students sign up for class.
To get the classes going, pair them with the rest of the program--a discount certainly, or some sort of cumulative benefit for taking multiple classes--ribbons, "skater of the month" awards, etc. Give friend-discounts for bringing new people into the program. Give it some time as well; at least 3 sessions so it can catch on.
Remember the statistics- there are 500 elite skaters nationwide, and I hate to break it to you, but they aren't at your rink. Rinks need to stop running programs as though everyone is the Broadmoor, and start serving the tens of thousands of committed recreational and workaday competitors who just love to skate.
What unusual specialty classes does your program, rink, or club offer?
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This summer, our local rink offered a Low Power (Basic 3-8) class once a week. It was offered at either a whole summer session or a walk-on rate. It wasn't at a great time for us, but my daughter went 4-5 times and loved it. It was geared to her level (Basic 6, now 7), but was definitely different content (races, drills) than group or private lesson content. My daughter also did a Theatre On Ice/Artistry in Motion summer camp at the rink (geared at Basic 4- Free 2) -- again, was really nice to have something different than regular lessons geared to lower level skaters (and get them interested in teh TOI program when they get to a higher level). This included both on and off-ice portions, and a performance at the end of the camp for parents/grandparents. I am definitely hoping that the rink continues these types of offerings as this summer was the first time for these two programs (at least since we've been going there).
ReplyDeleteLots of exellent ideas, Xan. Judging and drawing classes sound fun, they can be worked into clinics or seminar format. Although in a smaller, recreational program it may be difficult to convince enough skaters to sign up initially, or to justify the change with the management.
ReplyDeleteI like to see rotating coaches, especially for classes with the pattern you mentioned - guess why? Another rink I skate at rotates moves and power classes from session to session for the same time slot, giving more variety than a rigid schedule would offer.
I think our rink's Saturday morning "power > moves > off-ice > power warmup > FS class" marathon package is great if skater has stamina to benefit from the skill level class at the very end. Discount deals draw people deeper into the black hole called figure skating expenses, and rinks / clubs ultimately benefit from them.
our club offers a once a week power class and a once a week program session during the competitive season. PRogram ice is really helpful because you get to preform your program with no one else on the ice. your peers watch and it gives the sense of being at a competition.
ReplyDeleteI wish my rink would offer an edge class during LTS session. We have a number of adults who take LTS for the social side of it. They literally say "I don't want to move into freestyle because I don't want to jump." If there was a post-basic 8 edge class then adults (and a few kids) could go and learn back 3s, brackets etc without having to plough through freestyle.
ReplyDeleteI may have to start a petition. There are adults in private who might like it too.
BabaYaga, one of the very best specialized classes would be figures, especially for adults. Now that they've added some of the school figures back into the Moves tests, I think you'll start seeing this at more rinks.
ReplyDeleteThis summer at my rink there was edge class, power class and loops (not the jump) class, at least one of each a week in the mornings and afternoons. I had a great time going to as many classes as I could. I still can't do a loop, but I'm closer. Very attractive to me as an adult who is scared of jumping and speed and working on them was oddly peaceful. As it turnes out I've gained some edge control from practicing loops and now I feel a little bit more secure jumping.
ReplyDeleteAlas, speaking as someone who started doing figures (then was off ice with an injury and had to restart with Basic 4) I don't see ordinary rinks having the ice for figures. It's just not profitable enough. I know there are a few rinks (Lake Placid) with patch, but from a money making perspective, I can't see it at other than a few 'competition maker' rinks. Maybe 20 years from now patch will come back, but not in my lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThe captcha for that comment about 'competition rinks' was 'eliti'. Do you plan that?
ReplyDeleteA ice games class would be great - my daughter always loves the last class of the RC session when they play games. Would probably attract more boys too. How come spin is only in the summer? And are the on ice jumps and axel classes worthwhile even if you are still FS 4/5?
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my very favorite subjects -- and I think it can really "make or break" a program. ...as so many of the reasons people stay with a particular program is the "fun-ness" of it as not all skaters are super-competitive. I love the idea of "paying by the drink" for these types of specialty classes -- kids are busy -- and this lets them sample around. I also love when they involve the moms -- DD new synchro team will offer a mom's fitness class (yoga/pilates) during team practices! Love to see "new" stuff in a rink's catalog (examples - Bag of tricks, interp/choreography) - anything different and fun to keep kids interested and wanting to continue skating. As we all know - there are lots of peaks and valleys -- and you want to keep kids enjoying what they're doing and not getting bored with the same group lessons. I also really love the idea of getting some public skate and/or practice ice coupons thrown in when signing up for lessons -- as you know, you want the kids to practice - and this is just one more way to set yourself apart from other programs. One local rink has a really nice newsletter that promotes all of the recent accomplishments of their skates-- whether it's passing Pre-Alpha or medaling at a recent competition. I'm sure it makes the skaters feel great -- and it makes them look great to "outsiders" coming to their rink. As we all know -- it's the little things that matter sometimes. ...
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of reasons why rinks won't take a chance with new classes. Some rinks award these classes on a seniority basis, and their high seniority coaches go apeshit when you try to change anything. Sometimes it's ice access-- at Robert Crown figure skating just basically owns summer, so they can do a lot of different things. Many coaches and directors are just resistant to change, and there is, oddly, an industry-wide aversion to promotion. I've never worked in a field so skittish about selling themselves, or as bad at it. For instance, by not offering classes that are actually fun.
ReplyDeleteJust to pile on re: figures. My old rink in Portland offered a figures class on Saturdays for a few semesters and had a pretty good turnout of both adults and kids, actually.
ReplyDeleteMy rink here in Phx. has an adults-only figures class during the week, at least occasionally.
At our old rink, it was the synchro coach who discouraged any additional classes and summer training programs because she was concerned the synchro skaters might decide to spend money on the classes and not on synchro. Gee, I would think Power, Moves, Dramatic Expression and Ice Dance might actually benefit her program.
ReplyDeleteI think the fear of diverting cash is behind a lot of rinks' and coaches' reluctance to offer specialized classes. But a skater who can be diverted is not a committed skater, and is likely to be diverted right out of your rink if you don't provide something fun, challenging (in a good way) and interesting for that type of skater to do.
ReplyDeleteXan - what level is the on ice jumps class aimed at. Is it appropriate for someone working on landing clean Loops and Flips but not yet on Axel?
ReplyDeleteThey usually just adapt it to whoever signs up. I think it's technically for FS 4 and up.
ReplyDeletethanx
ReplyDeletemaybe a good post is the return from summer hiatus?
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