Private Lessons
FREESTYLE SESSIONS
Freestyle sessions allow skaters extra practice time to fine tune their skills. Skaters can work independently on various skills or receive a private lesson. Freestyle ice time can be purchased either as contract ice, in which you pay for the same ice time for the entire quarter at a discount rate, or by paying a “Walk-On” fee at the beginning of each session. The walk-on fee of $7.50 must be paid in the Pro Shop prior to stepping on the ice.
The Bird Arena Pro Shop offers Freestyle Punch Cards. These cards are worth 10 sessions and cost $60 for community members and $40 for Ohio University Students with a valid OU ID. Cards must be punched in the Pro Shop prior to stepping on the ice.
1 – All skaters/parents must complete a liability waiver prior to taking the ice.
2 – Parents must be present through the duration of the session if the participant is under the age of 14.
3 – Skaters are to give the right of way to skaters whose music is playing and any skater who is in a lesson.
4 – Parents and friends are not permitted in the hockey box or on the ice.
5 – Bird Arena reserves the right to revoke participant facility privileges.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons provide individual instruction with an instructor of your choice Lessons are taught only on freestyle sessions. Whether looking to fine tune your basic skills or advance to more difficult levels, the Learn to Skate Program has an instructor to meet your needs. Hockey and figure skating private lessons are available during the designated times, however hockey pucks and sticks are not allowed on the freestyle sessions for safety reasons. Lessons are given in 15 minute increments during the freestyle.
To insure the safety of our skaters, all private lessons coaches have undergone background checks and carry liability insurance.
Private lessons are a flat rate of $30 per hour ($7.50 per 15 minutes) regardless of what coach you choose. When taking private lessons, skater must pay the coaches fee as well as the walk on fee or contract ice. Payment for private lessons is done through tickets purchased in the Pro Shop that must then be presented to the coach.
Supplementing your child's group lessons with private lessons can be a great way to help them get the edge above the rest.
All of our instructors:
- Are certified with the Professional Skaters Association & United States Figure Skating Association.
- First Aid & CPR Certified
- Coach Learn to Skate
- Very experienced and excited to coach
Hockey private lessons are available during freestyle sessions without sicks and pucks or during special hockey private lesson ice in which sticks and pucks are allowed. Figure Skaters can receieve Private Lessons on our freestyle ice only.
Times:
Freestyle Sessions: * No Sticks & Pucks*
Tuesday: 5:00pm-5:45pm, 5:45pm-6:30pm
Thursday: 5:00pm-5:45pm, 5:45pm-6:30pm
Friday: 4:00pm-4:45pm, 4:45pm-5:30pm
Saturday: 11:45am-12:30pm, 12:30pm-1:15am
Hockey Specific Private Ice: *Sticks & Pucks Allowed in 1/3 of the ice*
Monday: 4:15pm-5:00pm
Wednesday: 4:15pm-5:00pm
Price:
Private Lessons are available for $7.50 for 15 minutes of lesson time. There is an additional cost of $7.50 for 45 minutes for the ice time or you have the option to purchase a punch card that is good for 30, 15 mintues ice segments. The cost of the punch card is $60 dollars for the community and $40 for students.
For our Learn to Skate participants we offer private lessons during the supervised practice time without an additional ice time cost.
Please contact the Learn to Skate directors at 597-1458 or at SkatingBirdArena@gmail.com in order to set up lessons.
If you are unable to make a scheduled lesson time, be sure to contact your instructor, or the Learn to Skate office. If you have a scheduled lesson time, and fail to show up without informing the instructor, you will be charged for that lesson at the next lesson. If the instructor fails to show up for a scheduled lesson time, please inform the skating director (597-1458) the same day or the next day to receive a free lesson coupon.
More information including contact numbers and emails for the coaches can be found on the Learn to Skate bulletin board inside Bird Arena.
APPAREL
Skates
A wide variety of skates are available in today’s market. Skaters need to find skates that best suit them, either hockey or figure skates. To prevent injury to the skater’s ankles or feet, skates must be snug and stiff at the ankles to provide the correct support.
Beginner skates can be purchased through our Pro Shop at a reasonable price. More advanced skaters can find skates at various prices on the web or purchase skates in Columbus (see Parker DeWeese for more information about skates). Since children grow quickly, don’t be afraid to buy used skates as long as the skates are not broken down and have support around the ankles. If you are unsure of sizing, ask a member of the staff to assist you.
Bird Arena offers skate sharpening for hockey and figure skates. To learn more visit our Pro Shop.
Clothing
Advanced private lesson skaters are expected to wear skating pants, dresses, or skirts. Bulky pants or sweatshirts are not acceptable, as they hinder progress and make it difficult for instructors to evaluate movements. Gloves are encouraged to keep warm and protect skaters hands in case of falls
CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER
All programs will be cancelled when Athens County issues a Level 3 weather advisory. These programs will not have a make-up date.
Be sure to check in with the Learn to Skate Director on your first day for placement of the skater in the appropriate level.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Registration forms and liability waivers will be available in the Bird Arena Office and Pro Shop two weeks prior to the beginning of all skating classes/events. Accepted payment forms are cash, credit (Visa, MasterCard) or a personal check made payable to Campus Recreation.
Completed registration forms and liability waivers can be dropped off at the Bird Arena Office or mailed to:
Learn to Skate
Bird Arena
102 Oxbow Trail
Athens, OH 45701
It is recommended that the registration sheet be sent to the ice rink prior to the start of lessons to insure your child’s spot. Registration sheets will be accepted on the first day of class and throughout the quarter. Skaters can sign up at any time for lessons, but classes will not be prorated.
