Roller skating lessons are run in blocks of 6 weeks and there are currently 5 levels, where group 1 is for beginners and 5 is advanced. There is also an Adult only class.
Skating Levels
Beginner
As a beginner, you will learn how to skate along (Stride 1) and glide, how to turn (A frame) and stop (Heel brake) and will feel a lot more confident on skates by the end.
Intermediate
An intermediate skater can also learn more impressive looking ways to stop (Spin Stop), how to corner more sharply (Parallel turns) and start doing some ‘freestyle skating’ around cones (Lemons). You will learn a better, faster way to skate forwards (Stride 2) and make a start on skating and stopping backwards.
Advanced
At advanced level, you will learn how to skate fast around curves backwards and forwards (Crossovers), turning from backwards to forwards (Mohawks), gliding and stopping on 2 wheels (Heel stop 2), another turn (Lunge turn), jumping, Slalom, an impressive backwards stop (Backwards powerslide) and some harder freestyle skating around cones (Backwards Lemons, Forwards and Backwards Snake, Criss Cross).
Adult only
These are aimed at people who would rather learn to skate without children around and are initially aimed at beginners. The class will be taught by Rachel at a pace that suits the skaters who come. Note that adults can also take part in any other class with or without their children. There is more information about classes available to book.
Inspiration
And this is what we’d love to do – can you see yourself here one day?
Or maybe showing off in the park?
About the Lessons
Whether you haven’t been on skates before, or if you are self taught but want to learn some new skills, this is for you. If you’ve seen people doing fancy looking things and want to give them a try, then come along and learn.
Please note that we will be teaching people wearing inline skates – the ones with wheels down the middle. This is no harder than quad skates if you take it slowly and get the technique right, and once you have got going inline skates are faster and more manoeuvrable.
We will be playing games at all levels, to help you learn your new skills. The coach is Rachel Gibbons, and there will be a maximum of 10 skaters in a class to make sure everyone gets enough attention. Lessons are for adults and children and are great to come to with your kids – why sit and watch?
Skating Lesson Times
There are skating skills sessions in most holidays – to see what’s coming up, see our events and holidays page. This can be a taster to see if you’d like lessons, as a one-off to learn new skills, or if you are already having lessons, to have some extra fun in the holidays.
We are currently running these classes, usually to fit in with term times:
- Group 1 – beginners: 8:30-9:30am Saturdays
- Group 2: 9:40-10:40am Saturdays
- Group 3: 10:50-11:50am Saturdays
- Group 4 : 6-7pm Sundays
- Group 5: 7-8pm Sundays
- Adult only classes: Adults classes run every now and again, depending on interest. Contact Rachel on 07947991727 to find out when the next one will be available or add yourself to the waiting list.
Taster Sessions / Skating Skills
If you want to try out skating lessons before committing to a full block, there will be taster skating sessions in most holidays. Usually we run skating skills from 11:30-1:30. We teach beginners or do more exciting things with skaters who can already skate and want to learn new skills. We ask people to bring a pack up as this session is over dinner time
Booking a Skating Lesson
On the weekends, there is a strict limit of 10 skaters in a lesson and we can only take bookings for the full block – 6 lessons for £26. You will make the best progress if you come to a whole block of lessons as each skill builds on the ones before and it’s harder if you miss things out. Lessons are for adults or children and anyone aged 5 or over is welcome.
Skating lessons are currently booked up, so if you want to start, you need to add yourself to the waiting list. Once you have had an email or text from Rachel saying you have a place, you can book on our booking page. To book skating skills for the next holiday, go to our holiday booking page. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel on 0794 7991727 or at [email protected]
Buying skates
There is no need to buy your own skates to come to lessons as there is a wide selection at Penistone Leisure Centre. We have sizes from junior 8 to adult 14 that you can borrow as part of the lesson price. However, if you wish to buy some we recommend you come along and try on lots of our pairs to see what suits the shape of your feet. Some brands fit wide, some narrow, some support ankles more or less and some people prefer rigid plastic while other like softer boots. At the very least, please read our Skate Guide and buy a brand with rubber wheels as it will make skating much, much easier. If you contact Rachel as above, she can arrange a time during a public skating session to meet you and help you to try on different skates.