Skating Director Mark Janoschak
Email: Skating@sugarlandice.com
Office line: 281-265-7465 ext 3
PSA Master Rated in Freestyle & Ice Dance
1992 Canadian Ice Dance Champion & Olympian
Email: Skating@sugarlandice.com
Office line: 281-265-7465 ext 3
PSA Master Rated in Freestyle & Ice Dance
1992 Canadian Ice Dance Champion & Olympian
Figure Skating
Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center offers comprehensive skating programs for all ages and levels. We have the largest amount of practice time available in the Houston area, and a full compliment of training classes both on ice and off, throughout the week. Our staff has experience with every level of skater and competitor, from the tiniest tots, to the loftiest Olympians.
Freestyle sessions have been renamed to "Practice sessions." Please be patient as we change the vocabulary throughout the website and literature.
- OPEN Freestyle is now USFS PRACTICE SESSION - USFS Pre Pre MIF test passed and higher
- High Freestyle is now High Practice Sessions - Preliminary Well Balanced and higher
- Low Freestyle is now Low Practice Sessions - Freeskate 1 through Pre-Preliminary FS
- Basic Skills Freestyle is now Basic Skills Practice Sessions - Basic 1 through Freeskate 6 ( No Test )
The Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center offers an excellent Figure Skating developmental programs in which skaters may enjoy a wide variety of classes for beginners through advanced levels.
Competitions, shows, exhibitions, recitals, and the US Figure Skating Basic Skills Program encourage participation from the young to the young at heart. We have a highly qualified Professional Coaching Staff that includes National coaches and former World and Olympic competitors. Each coach is a member of at least one of the following organizations recognized worldwide: Ice Skating Institute (ISI), US Figure Skating, US Figure Skating Basic Skills, Professional Skater's Association (PSA).
For information on beginning figure skating classes, please visit the Learn To Skate page.
Contact Information: skating@sugarlandice.com
Competitions, shows, exhibitions, recitals, and the US Figure Skating Basic Skills Program encourage participation from the young to the young at heart. We have a highly qualified Professional Coaching Staff that includes National coaches and former World and Olympic competitors. Each coach is a member of at least one of the following organizations recognized worldwide: Ice Skating Institute (ISI), US Figure Skating, US Figure Skating Basic Skills, Professional Skater's Association (PSA).
For information on beginning figure skating classes, please visit the Learn To Skate page.
Contact Information: skating@sugarlandice.com
Frequently Asked Questions
When do skaters start learning the sport of "figure skating?"
Basic 1-5 Learn to Skate classes cover basic skating skills that all skaters in any discipline will need (hockey, speed skaters, or figure skaters.) Beginner figure skating skills start at the Basic 6 level with a skater's first small jump called a "bunny hop" and a balancing skill called a "spiral." Pre-Freeskate and Pre-Freeskate Plus prepares skaters for single jumps and basic spins, which they will learn in Freeskate 1-6. The detailed curriculum list for the freeskate levels is available HERE.
What happens after freeskate 6?
Leveled group classes conclude after freeskate 6. At that point, skaters need to hire a private coach to continue learning the skills of figure skating, which will include jumps beyond the singles and advanced spins. Skaters will also have several supplemental "training" group classes available to take at the rink. With a private coach, skaters can opt to enter competitions or take U.S. Figure Skating tests. The tests are similar to the way belts work in karate - with each level signifying a mastery of skills in the sport. Details about testing can be learned about HERE. In order to test, skaters have to be full U.S. Figure Skating members which they can attain through a club. The home club of Sugar Land Ice and Sports center is the Texas Gulf Coast Figure Skating Club. Additional questions about these topics of testing and competing should be directed to the skater's private coach.
How to I choose a private coach?
Most group lesson instructors are certified to teach private lessons, but some have not reached that level yet. Skaters may inquire directly to instructors they are interested in. For more information about private lessons and coaches, go the private lesson page, HERE.
Basic 1-5 Learn to Skate classes cover basic skating skills that all skaters in any discipline will need (hockey, speed skaters, or figure skaters.) Beginner figure skating skills start at the Basic 6 level with a skater's first small jump called a "bunny hop" and a balancing skill called a "spiral." Pre-Freeskate and Pre-Freeskate Plus prepares skaters for single jumps and basic spins, which they will learn in Freeskate 1-6. The detailed curriculum list for the freeskate levels is available HERE.
What happens after freeskate 6?
Leveled group classes conclude after freeskate 6. At that point, skaters need to hire a private coach to continue learning the skills of figure skating, which will include jumps beyond the singles and advanced spins. Skaters will also have several supplemental "training" group classes available to take at the rink. With a private coach, skaters can opt to enter competitions or take U.S. Figure Skating tests. The tests are similar to the way belts work in karate - with each level signifying a mastery of skills in the sport. Details about testing can be learned about HERE. In order to test, skaters have to be full U.S. Figure Skating members which they can attain through a club. The home club of Sugar Land Ice and Sports center is the Texas Gulf Coast Figure Skating Club. Additional questions about these topics of testing and competing should be directed to the skater's private coach.
How to I choose a private coach?
Most group lesson instructors are certified to teach private lessons, but some have not reached that level yet. Skaters may inquire directly to instructors they are interested in. For more information about private lessons and coaches, go the private lesson page, HERE.
Training Classes
Power Builder
After skaters pass Bronze and Silver Power Builder, they are promoted to "Gold Power Builder." Gold Power Builder continues the focuses of cardiovascular endurance, agility, speed, power and skating technique in a full rink class set to upbeat music. Skaters are pushed and the improvement in their strength and fluidity will be evident. High Gold Power Builder is reserved for skaters who have passed the Preliminary moves in the field test and/or have gone through the other stroking/power classes and are ready for a particularly advanced challenge.
Off Ice Conditioning
Becoming a strong figure skater doesn't just happen on the ice. Skaters need to build strength off the ice in order to succeed on the ice. In addition to strength exercises, skaters also do drills and agility exercises.
Off Ice Jump and Conditioning
This class focuses on jump technique and positions. Skaters will do jumping and rotational drills off the ice that will help them on the ice. The class may also consist of strengthening exercises to aid in better jumping.
Off Ice Stretch
Flexibility is a major aspect of overall athletic ability, can prevent injury, and also allow skaters to perform impressive skills. In this stretch class, skaters learn safe ways to increase their flexibility and work on building the strength needed to support it. Some common stretches that the skaters will work on are splits and back bends.
After skaters pass Bronze and Silver Power Builder, they are promoted to "Gold Power Builder." Gold Power Builder continues the focuses of cardiovascular endurance, agility, speed, power and skating technique in a full rink class set to upbeat music. Skaters are pushed and the improvement in their strength and fluidity will be evident. High Gold Power Builder is reserved for skaters who have passed the Preliminary moves in the field test and/or have gone through the other stroking/power classes and are ready for a particularly advanced challenge.
Off Ice Conditioning
Becoming a strong figure skater doesn't just happen on the ice. Skaters need to build strength off the ice in order to succeed on the ice. In addition to strength exercises, skaters also do drills and agility exercises.
Off Ice Jump and Conditioning
This class focuses on jump technique and positions. Skaters will do jumping and rotational drills off the ice that will help them on the ice. The class may also consist of strengthening exercises to aid in better jumping.
Off Ice Stretch
Flexibility is a major aspect of overall athletic ability, can prevent injury, and also allow skaters to perform impressive skills. In this stretch class, skaters learn safe ways to increase their flexibility and work on building the strength needed to support it. Some common stretches that the skaters will work on are splits and back bends.
