McFetridge Sports Center offers instructional group skating classes for all levels ages 4 & up.

 

The skating program at McFetridge follows the standards of the Ice Sports Industry (ISI). ISI is a respected, worldwide organization for recreational skaters. This program was developed with the intention that the skater participate in a 1 hour a week class for an average of 18 weeks, before he/she may be ready to move to the next level. It is recommended that each skater spends additional practice time outside the group lesson, to enhance the quality of the skills. Each skater will progress at his/her own pace, resulting in skaters advancing to levels at different times. Do not be discouraged if the evaluation requires you to repeat your current level multiple times. This is common.

 

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TOT 1 - 4 CLASSES

Tot 1

Age: 4-5 years old

This introductory class is for children 4-5 years old who have never skated or had formal instruction. Once a child is 6 years old, the skater will transition to the Pre-Alpha class and progress by skill level through the age of 12 years old. In Tot 1, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Fall down and get up
  • March in place
  • March walking (move quickly)

Tot 2

Age: 4-5 years old

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for children 4-5 years old who have mastered the skills in the Tot 1 level and have been approved for Tot 2. Once a child is 6 years old, the skater will transition to the Pre-Alpha class and progress by skill level through the age of 12 years old. In Tot 2, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Forward swizzles standing still
  • Two-foot jump (hop)
  • Two-foot glide (long)
  • Single swizzle

Tot 3

Age: 4-5 years old

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for children 4-5 years old who have mastered the skills in the Tot 2 level and have been approved for Tot 3. Once a child is 6 years old, the skater will transition to the Pre-Alpha class and progress by skill level through the age of 12 years old. In Tot 3, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Push & glide stroking - Right and Left
  • Dip forward
  • Forward swizzles
  • Preparation for the snowplow stop

Tot 4

Age: 4-5 years old

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for children 4-5 years old who have mastered the skills in the Tot 3 level and have been approved for Tot 4. Once a child is 6 years old, the skater will transition to the Pre-Alpha class and progress by skill level through the age of 12 years old. In Tot 4, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • T-position – Right and Left
  • Two-foot or one-foot snowplow stop
  • Backward wiggle
  • Backward swizzle\

 

Level qualifications for skating classes are current for 6 months only from the date added or updated.

PRE-ALPHA - DELTA CLASSES

Pre-Alpha

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

This introductory class is for children 6-12 years old and teen and adults age 13+ who have never skated or had formal instruction or those skaters who have taken the Pre-Alpha class before and are still trying to master the skills at this level. Once the skater masters the Pre-Alpha skills, the skater will transition to the Alpha class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Pre-Alpha, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Two-foot glide
  • One-foot glide – Right and Left
  • Forward swizzles
  • Backward wiggles
  • Backward swizzles

Alpha

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Pre-Alpha skills and have been approved for the Alpha level. Once the skater masters the Alpha skills, the skater will transition to the Beta class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Alpha, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Forward stroking
  • Forward crossovers – Right and Left
  • One-foot snowplow stop

Beta

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Alpha skills and have been approved for the Alpha level. Once the skater masters the Beta skills, the skater will transition to the Gamma class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Beta, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Backward stroking
  • Backward crossovers – Right and Left
  • T-stop – Right and Left

Gamma

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Beta skills and have been approved for the Gamma level. Once the skater masters the Gamma skills, the skater will transition to the Delta class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Gamma, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Forward outside three-turn - Right and Left
  • Forward inside mohawk combination – Right and Left
  • Hockey stop

Delta

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Gamma skills and have been approved for the Delta level. Once the skater masters the Delta skills, the skater will transition to the Freestyle 1 class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Delta, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Forward inside three-turn - Right and Left
  • Lunge or Shoot-the-duck
  • Bunny hop
  • Forward outside edges
  • Forward inside edges

 

Level qualifications for skating classes are current for 6 months only from the date added or updated.

FREESTYLE 1 - 6+ CLASSES

Freestyle 1

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Delta skills and have been approved for the Freestyle 1 level. Once the skater masters the Freestyle 1 skills, the skater will transition to the Freestyle 2 class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Freestyle 1, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Forward inside pivot
  • Waltz jump
  • Half flip jump
  • Two-foot spin (minimum 6 revolutions)
  • Forward spiral (Arabesque), either foot
  • Backward outside edge rolls
  • Backward inside edge rolls

Freestyle 2

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Freestyle 1 skills and have been approved for the Freestyle 2 level. Once the skater masters the Freestyle 2 skills, the skater will transition to the Freestyle 3 class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Freestyle 2, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Ballet jump
  • Half lutz jump (back outside edge take-off)
  • Waltz jump/tap-toe/3-turn or mohawk turn/half flip jump combo
  • One-foot spin (minimum 6 revolutions)
  • Forward spiral (Arabesque), two different edges
  • Dance step sequence

Freestyle 3

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Freestyle 2 skills and have been approved for the Freestyle 3 level. Once the skater masters the Freestyle 3 skills, the skater will transition to the Freestyle 4 class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Freestyle 3, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Backward outside pivot or backward inside pivot
  • Salchow jump
  • Toe loop jump or Toe walley jump
  • Change foot spin (minimum 3 per foot)
  • Backward spiral (Arabesque), either foot
  • Dance step sequence

Freestyle 4

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Freestyle 3 skills and have been approved for the Freestyle 4 level. Once the skater masters the Freestyle 4 skills, the skater will transition to the Freestyle 5 class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Freestyle 4, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Flip jump
  • Loop jump
  • Half loop jump
  • Sit spin
  • Backward spiral (Arabesque), two different feet on either edge
  • Back outside 3-turns – Right and Left
  • Back inside 3-turns – Right and Left
  • Dance step sequence

Freestyle 5

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This class is for those skaters who have passed all Freestyle 4 skills and have been approved for the Freestyle 5 level. Once the skater masters the Freestyle 5 skills, the skater will transition to the Freestyle 6+ class and progress by skill level through the learn to skate program. In Freestyle 5, the skater will need to master the following skills:

  • Lutz jump
  • Axel jump
  • Camel spin
  • Camel-Sit-Upright combination spin
  • Fast back scratch spin (minimum 9 revolutions)
  • Dance step sequence

Freestyle 6+

Age: 6-12 years old & Teen and Adult Age 13+

A prerequisite is required to register for this class.

 

This advanced class is for those skaters who have passed all Freestyle 5 skills and have been approved for the Freestyle 6+ level. The skater will progress to more difficult double jumps, combination spins and footwork.

 

Level qualifications for skating classes are current for 6 months only from the date added or updated.

SPECIALY CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Adult Intro to Ice Dance

Age: 18 & over

Level Requirement: Gamma & above

 

This introductory class is for skaters 18 & over who are in the Gamma level and above and have never done ice dance before. The class will focus on the basic ice dancing skills, including stroking, progressives, swing rolls and chasses. While using these skills, the skaters will work on timing to music and sections of the Preliminary ice dance patterns.

Axel Workshop

Age: 6 & up

Level Requirement: Freestyle 5

 

The Axel Workshop is open to skaters ages 6 & up, who are in the Freestyle 5 level and not yet consistently landing the axel jump. The axel is the jump that many skaters struggle to land. Mastering the axel can be a pivotal point in a skater's career. This class will focus on the technique of the axel and will include drills and exercises related to the preparation, take off, rotation and landing of the jump. Other skills incorporated in the class will include waltz jump, loop jump, back scratch spins and landing position. The jump harness may be used during the class.

Ice Dance

Age: 6 & up

Level Requirement: Freestyle 1 & above

 

This is a beginner Ice Dance class for skaters in the Freestyle 1 level and above. The class introduces basic ice dancing skills, including stroking, progressives, swing rolls and chasses. Set dance patterns from the Preliminary ice dance level are learned, utilizing the basic ice dance skills, and are skated to music, either solo or with a partner.

Off-Ice Jump Class

Age: 8 & up

Level Requirement: Freestyle 4 & above
 

This class will focus on improving a skater's alignment, axis of rotation, checked landing positions, quick snap and rhythm and flow off the ice.

 

Off-Ice Performance Training Class

Age: 9-18

Level Requirement: Freestyle 1 & above

 

This dynamic off-ice training program is designed specifically for competitive figure skaters age 9-18. The series blends mobility, flexibility, strength, balance, posture, core control, conditioning, and recovery techniques to help athletes move with greater power, control, confidence, and artistry on the ice. Each class is thoughtfully structured to improve athletic performance while supporting injury prevention, body awareness, stability, flexibility, and overall well-being. Athletes will build strength from the inside out through skating-specific conditioning, resistance band training, mobility work, balance challenges, active flexibility, and recovery techniques in a supportive and motivating environment. This program is designed to complement on-ice training while helping skaters feel stronger, more connected, and more resilient both mentally and physically.

Parent-Tot Skate

Age: 3-5 (accompanied by a parent or caretaker)

 

Parent Tot Skate is a great way to introduce your 3-5 year old skater to ice skating. Parent/ caretaker must accompany the skater on the ice and should have basic skating skills. This is not an instructional class, but an instructor will be present to monitor the session and give assistance. The class fee includes entry for the skater and parent/caretaker. Skate rental is available: $4 per visit.

Power Class

Age: 6 & up

Level Requirement: Freestyle 1 & above

 

This class is for participants in Freestyle 1 and above. This is a fast-paced class that keeps the skaters moving. The class utilizes drills, footwork and patterns to improve a skater's speed, endurance, agility and power.

Skating Skills Class

Age: 6 & up

Level Requirement: Freestyle 1 & above

 

Formerly known as Moves in the Field, this Skating Skills class is for skaters in Freestyle 1 and above who are in the Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary or Pre-Bronze (Pre-Juvenile) Skating Skills test levels only. Skating Skills was implemented in place of the compulsory figures. Elements from the compulsory figures are skated within a free skating discipline and are taught in the context of standard step sequences. These step sequences focus on power, carriage and flow and help to improve a skater's edge quality and extension.

Class Make Up Policy

Attendance is taken each class. Make-up classes are not offered.

Evaluations

Skaters are evaluated during class time toward the end of each session. The exact week for the evaluation will vary each session depending on when the online registration for the next session is scheduled and the length of the session. Each skater is evaluated on the specific maneuvers in his/her level. A skater who passes all maneuvers will move to the next level and that qualification will be added to the registration system.