What is patch ice?
Patch ice is the period of time a skater is allowed to skate on a segregated ice time during the week, this is usually the time they will have their lesson and the time allowed for them to practice.
Evening patch ice is seperated into 45 minute sessions and caters for different levels so as to make it as safe as possible. The coach will have the given skater the Romford School of Skating Rules and Regulations, which will inform them the patch ice times and costs along with the levels of skating to which they apply.
The charge for the patch ice times is the rent the skater pays the rink to skate on the the rink's ice, in addition to the cost of their private lession with their coach.
What is Rink Protocol?
Skaters are given the rules and patch ice times of the Romford School of Skating by their coach, these should be adhered to at all times, again this is mainly for safety reasons.
Whilst on the ice please stand aside when a skater who is having a lesson or practicing their programme comes into your area, this will only be for a few seconds but it is courteous to your fellow skaters.
Before getting onto the ice it is sensible to warm up, this can be running up and down the stairs or skipping: this will prvent injury and warm up the muscles ready to skate. If any further information is required on warming up please speak to the relevant coach.
Who is the Head Coach?
The head coach at Romford Ice Arena is Maggie Barrow, she is responsible for setting the rules and maintaining the discipline on the ice, the rules are for the skater's safety and welfare. Should you have a complaint or wish to make any comment regarding the patch ice session please contact Maggie through the rink reception.
How can I get my blades sharpened?
John Turner comes to our rink every six weeks or so usually on a Thursday to sharpen skates. He charges £6.50 a pair and he will be at the rink all day from around 8.30am. He can also provide a boot fitting service for the WIFA brand of skates, which he is able to order if required. He also provides laces and advice on any problems skaters may have with their boots or blades. John's contact at the rink is Maggie Barlow. Notices are displayed on the coach's board of when he is comming, but coaches will also remind their skaters.
What are practice and competition dresses?
Practice dresses are usually plain and long sleeved with a skirt. They are a good idea as they encourage skaters to be confident in dresses so that when they begin to compete they are not self-conscious about their appearance in a dress.
Competition dresses are traditionally more dressy and decorated.Many are custom made to provide a perfect fit and individual style. it is quite common but not necessary for the dress to follow the style of music, which has been chosen. The main thing is that the skater is comfortable in the dress. Competition dresses usually cost upwards of £50.00 the more elaborate the decoration, the more expensive the dress. With the advent of the internet the range and cost of dresses varies dramatically. However, please remember to measure skaters carefully as it is not possible to try dresses on before buying them online.
Where can I buy skating accessories?
The club carries a stock of over boot tights and gloves - please see a committee member at patch sessions. Such things as skate blade guards and soakers can be purchased in the rink shop, mail order or on the internet - there are a very few places you can buy such things locally. Tights can be purchassed in the rink shop or a few of the local dance shops.
Who governs the sport?
The National Ice skating Association of the UK
What are their contact details?
National Ice Centre
Lower Parliament Street
Nottingham NG1 1BR
Tel: 0870 758 0278
Website: www.iceskating.org.uk
How do I become a member of NISA?
Membership forms are available to download online. The membership fee for the year is currently £38.00.
Why should I join NISA?
It provides insurance for the Members to skate at any rink in the country. This is the reason that to take part in Open Competitions and to take NISA tests you are required to be a NISA Member. You will also receive a regular newsletter called the Ice Link where you will find information regarding competitions, merchandise outlets, rules & regulation updates and many other aspects of the sport.
What is Hop, Skip & Jump Competitions?
This is an internal starter competition to give skaters a taste of what is like to compete. Only skaters from Romford who are club members are able to participate. Classes are split into age categories and there is a seperate class for skaters who have come 2nd or 3rd in a previous Hop, Skip & Jump. However, skaters who have come 1st previously or have already competed in an open competition are ineligible to take part.
What are the Open Competitions?
These are competitions that are run all over the country and your coach will be given an application form for you to be able to enter the competition of choice. Romford regulary attend many venues. These competitions are attended by skaters from other rinks and clubs and are divided into groups comprising of different levels and age groups.
They are usually held on a weekday during term time and each have an entry fee of between £17 - £25 approx. A skater also needs to provide a copy of his or her birth certificate to validate their age. If a skater has not yet passed their NISA level 1 they will also need to provide a copy of the Skate UK Passport completed by their coach. The competitions can begin as early as 6.00am depending on the number of competitiors the rink has to accomodate.
The skaters are taught a programme to music without lyrics, which lasts a required length of time to perform at these competitions. Depending on the skater's progress this programme is usually with them for about a year.
It is customary but not compulsory to throw flowers or a gift onto the ice for the skaters after they have finished their programme. NOT fresh flowers as this is a saftey regulation - if the petals or leaves come free and are not picked up, the next skater could potentially fall if they catch their skate on them.
What are Learn to Skate Levels?
These are the first steps to learning to ice skate. Levels 1 - 10 are taught by some of the coaches. Each level comprises four elements and on completion of all four the skater moves up a level. A certificate can be purchased from your coach and medals are available from NISA.
What is a NISA Skate Passport?
The passport is splilt into three sections Bronze, Silver sand Gold. Each of these sections comprises four elements. On completion of all the elements and with the agreement of the coach a skater may compete in the beginners class of an open competition. Certificates for each level are available to purchase from your coach.
What are NISA Standards and Competitive Tests?
These are taken so that the skater can progress with their skating and ultimately take part in the British Championship if they wish.
Standard tests are taken in levels 1 - 10. The tests are in three parts, Field Moves, Elements and Free Skating.
Field Moves are taken at each level and your coach will be able to teach you them in preperation for the tests.
Elements are skated without music and are a combination of spins, jumps and step sequences.
Free Skating is usually the skater's programme and is skated to music wihout lyrics - lyrics are not allowed - and will consist of required jumps, spins and steps for the level the skater is taking.
On passing you will be able to purchase a certificate and medal from NISA.
When you have passed level 8 (Level 9 Field Moves) in standard tests you can choose to take a Competitive Test (IJS) which then enables you to take part in the British Championships.
The costs of these tests vary for different levels but they start around £15 per test.
What is the British Championship?
This is a competition where you have to be a certain standard by a certain age to qualify. The qualifying age for boys is higher than thatfor girls. However, please check with your coach what the current qualifying age is at present.