How to Find a Figure Skating School
Figure skating can be an excellent hobby or competitive sport for all ages. However, when first getting started it can be challenging so it’s more fun to learn the basics at a skating school. For beginners looking for a skating school in the United States, for example the Learn to Skate program endorsed by U.S. Figure Skating is a great way to learn the basics and it even helps young skaters proceed to the path of becoming a competitive figure skater.
That being said, many young skaters new to the world of figure skating might not know how to find a skating school that offers this program. Additionally, understanding how to find the right figure skates is essential to start out—having the wrong size and fit can lead to injuries and discomfort, potentially deterring a skater from continuing.
We’ve put together this guide on how to find a skating school, as well as choosing the right figure skates.
Where to Start Looking
If you’re new to the world of figure skating, you may not know where to start looking for a program. You’ll first want to research your local skating rinks. Chances are many of them offer lessons, whether they are private or group, and oftentimes they will have beginner friendly programs. The most widely used program for teaching beginners how to figure skate in the USA is the Learn to Skate USA program.
In this program, a standardized curriculum is used to help skaters of all ages and abilities understand the fundamentals of ice skating. There are specific pathways within the program for young children, adults, and skaters who have disabilities, ensuring everyone who wants to is able to learn how to skate. From there, skaters are able to progress into various other programs their rink might offer, including private lessons and classes that introduce them into competitive skating.
If you live outside the USA, you can start by heading to the website of your local National Figure Skating Federation. There you can usually see a list of local clubs and instructions on how to start your skating journey.
Choosing the Right Figure Skates
Once you are able to find a club, it’s time to start thinking about the type of figure skates you or your child will need. Buying high-quality figure skates is essential. They will offer the best comfort, fit, and support—all necessary for an enjoyable experience on the ice. This is important for performance as well, particularly for beginners. When a skater is using skates of poor quality, it can result in discomfort, irritation, and even injuries. This eventually leads to the skater having a bad experience, and perhaps quitting their new hobby.
At Riedell, we offer a variety of figure skating boots. We have several options for beginners including our Pearl, Emerald, Opal, Soar, and Sparkle. Each boot has its own advantages for beginners—it’s best to reach out or head to an authorized dealer to determine which one is right for you. At Riedell, we offer sizes from youth size eight to adult sizes and determining the right size for a new skater is crucial.
Many parents, for example, think they should buy boots with a little room for their child’s feet to grow into. This is not a good idea. It’s important that your boots offer no extra room, as oversized skates are uncomfortable and can cause foot irritation, accidents, or boot failure. You should buy your boots with the current season in mind, but no longer and it’s important to remember shoe sizes are not always the same as figure skating boot sizes.
Find the Perfect Figure Skates From Riedell
Finding the perfect pair of skates doesn’t have to be hard when you shop with Riedell! For over 75 years, we have dedicated our time to researching and perfecting the best figure skating boots possible. From beginner to Olympic level, we have boots and blades suitable for all experience levels.
Riedell craftsmen can also design and create a customized boot from the ground up, making sure to consider your measurements and any specifications such as prescription orthotics, heel height, firmness, color preference, toe room, and much more. If you’re ready to find the perfect boot, head to one of our authorized dealers today—you’ll feel like you’re skating on clouds in no time!