| Winter Weather Policy Q: The weather is really bad - does my skater still have class? A: If the arena is open, then we are skating! The arena rarely ever closes. If you are in doubt, call the arena at 516-6060 to check if they are open. Q: Why don't you cancel classes when the weather is bad? A: We must schedule all of our ice in advance for the entire year. We are obligated to pay for the ice whether or not we use it. Ice costs almost $300 per hour, and we use two hours of ice for our classes. This doesn't leave us much of a choice. This is the same reason that hockey games and practices are rarely cancelled or postponed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Great Bay Skating Club
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A: The rink can get very cold at times. Your child needs to be comfortable, warm,
and able to move easily. We suggest dressing in layers, since heavy winter coats
and snowsuits can be hard to skate in. Sweat pants or wind pants are fine.
Gloves are important at all times of year, and some skaters wear hats.
Q: How old does my child need to be to start?
A: Generally, four years old is a good rule of thumb, but we have had younger
skaters, and not all children are ready at four. The KEY is that the child is able to
be on the ice by themselves, and be able to listen to their coach.
Q: Can I be on the ice with my child?
A: Parents are not permitted on the ice at any time. Parents may watch lessons
from the bleachers or the warm room. If your child needs to leave the ice a coach
or junior coach will bring them to you. In order to learn, the skater needs to be
focused on the coach.
Q: Can my child use a "walker"?
A: While our staff may use games and toys on the ice, we do not use walkers.
Skaters learn faster without them. Students needing extra help will be paired with
a junior coach in order to help them get comfortable on the ice.
Q: What about socks?
A: Thick socks will not keep feet warmer, can cause blisters, and make it hard to
feel the foot in the skate. We suggest trouser socks, tights, or very thin socks be
worn. Ankle socks are not recommended - they can be very uncomfortable. If your
child's feet get cold, there are fleece skate covers that can be worn over the skates.
Q: What if my skater has to miss a lesson?
A: A student can begin at any point in the session - you don't have to wait for the first
day of a session. You will pay for the remaining classes in the session. However,
once you are enrolled, there are no refunds for missed classes.
Q: When does my child change class levels?
A: Each level has a set of skills that must be mastered for the skater to pass to the
next level. Each skill level builds on the last, so mastering the levels is very
important. Our coaching staff continuously assesses the progress of their
students, and students move to the next level when they are ready. Some students
may progress quickly, others may take a while to pass a level. THIS IS NORMAL.
As a student moves up, the skills get more difficult and it generally takes longer to
pass a level. The key is that the skater is learning and having fun.
and able to move easily. We suggest dressing in layers, since heavy winter coats
and snowsuits can be hard to skate in. Sweat pants or wind pants are fine.
Gloves are important at all times of year, and some skaters wear hats.
Q: How old does my child need to be to start?
A: Generally, four years old is a good rule of thumb, but we have had younger
skaters, and not all children are ready at four. The KEY is that the child is able to
be on the ice by themselves, and be able to listen to their coach.
Q: Can I be on the ice with my child?
A: Parents are not permitted on the ice at any time. Parents may watch lessons
from the bleachers or the warm room. If your child needs to leave the ice a coach
or junior coach will bring them to you. In order to learn, the skater needs to be
focused on the coach.
Q: Can my child use a "walker"?
A: While our staff may use games and toys on the ice, we do not use walkers.
Skaters learn faster without them. Students needing extra help will be paired with
a junior coach in order to help them get comfortable on the ice.
Q: What about socks?
A: Thick socks will not keep feet warmer, can cause blisters, and make it hard to
feel the foot in the skate. We suggest trouser socks, tights, or very thin socks be
worn. Ankle socks are not recommended - they can be very uncomfortable. If your
child's feet get cold, there are fleece skate covers that can be worn over the skates.
Q: What if my skater has to miss a lesson?
A: A student can begin at any point in the session - you don't have to wait for the first
day of a session. You will pay for the remaining classes in the session. However,
once you are enrolled, there are no refunds for missed classes.
Q: When does my child change class levels?
A: Each level has a set of skills that must be mastered for the skater to pass to the
next level. Each skill level builds on the last, so mastering the levels is very
important. Our coaching staff continuously assesses the progress of their
students, and students move to the next level when they are ready. Some students
may progress quickly, others may take a while to pass a level. THIS IS NORMAL.
As a student moves up, the skills get more difficult and it generally takes longer to
pass a level. The key is that the skater is learning and having fun.