Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy skates and other accessories and get skates sharpened?
Here are some of the options which are available. Speak with your coach or instructor for more information and recommendations.
- John Kallis's "The Perfect Edge", 108 Watkins Drive, Brownsville PA 15417, (724) 785-8791, jkallis@helicon.net ~~ higher level skates and sharpening
- Sharon's Skate Shop, 900 Cedar Blvd. (Mt. Lebanon Ice Rink), Pittsburgh PA 15228, (412) 561-4711 ~~ hours: M-F 4p-8p, Sa-Su 9a-4p ~~ skates, sharpening, accessories
- Skater's Edge, 16211 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland OH 44111 (west side) (216) 252-3986 ~~ skates, sharpening, accessories
- Skate shops at Rostraver Ice Garden, Neville Island, South Charleston Memorial ~~ beginner/recreational skates
- Crystal A. Mekonis, Pittsburgh PA, cell: (412) 720-7217, home: (412)344-2433, email: tallytiger@verizon.net ~~ specialty sewing and costume design for skaters and dancers
- Mary's Skate Boot-ique, Morgantown WV, cell: (304) 282-8327, home: (304)598-2064, email: mswim@wvnet.edu ~~ recreational and entry level figure skates
I have a 4 1/2 year old girl who is interested in learning to figure skate. She has some skating experience as I took her skating on the weekends at the Morgantown Ice Arena last year. She was able to skate by herself by the end of last March. I have noticed the sign-ups for the Skate With Us program, but I am not familiar with the Figure Skating Club. Any information on what would be the best way for her to learn, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks for your interest! The best starting point for your daughter would be the Skate With US lessons. They have different levels that she will move up as her skating progresses. She's at a good age to start, and if she can already skate a little bit that'll give her a head start.

There are two main reasons for joining the skating club. First is to have access to the club skating sessions. These allow space for practice of more advanced skating moves, jumps, and spins; and for private lessons with a coach. The second reason is to become a member of US Figure Skating and be eligible to participate in their tests and competitions. The lower skating levels for these generally correspond roughly with the Freestyle levels of Skate With US, though there are also some competitions available for the Basic Skills level skaters.

The club requires that members be at least 6 years old and skating at the Basic 4 level. This is for the safety of all the skaters on the ice, as there tend to be people moving pretty fast out there. So I would suggest that she do the Skate With US lessons this year, and then next year she would probably be at a skating level and age to join the club if she wants. Most people who join the club take private lessons, but it would be best to continue with the group lessons for a while too, as they go on up to Basic 8, and then have Freestyle 1-6 levels as well.

So that's the general progression, and a look ahead. What I'd recommend right now is that you sign her up for the Skate With US lessons and see how she likes it, then go from there.
I am 13 and I want to learn how to figure skate. About how much will it cost me, and am I too old to start? Are the group lessons for competitions? Should you wear jeans, shorts, tee shirts, or what? Thanks.
You're not too old to start skating! Many people even start as adults and become very proficient skaters. The best thing to do is to start with the group lessons, which are currently offered on Thursday or Sunday evenings. The package of 5 lessons costs about $70, and includes use of rental skates, and free admission to public skate sessions except those on Friday and Saturday nights. After you get started, you can progress to taking private lessons if you want, or just stay with the group lessons for a while. You might also want to join the figure skating club at some point. I hope you'll try the lessons! You can sign up for them at the ice rink.

The lessons aren't really designed around competitions, however there are some competitions starting at the very beginning levels if you're interested in that. They're called "Learn-to-Skate Challenges". There are usually a few in the Pittsburgh area during the skating season. You might enjoy going to watch one, even if you're not ready to compete. Also the figure skating club here puts on a skating show in December and another in March. There are a couple of group numbers in those shows for students in the lessons.

As far as dressing for lessons, you should just wear something comfortable and fairly warm. Shorts would be too cold. (The skaters you see on tv in short dresses actually have warm tan tights covering their legs!) Jeans aren't really too good unless they have some stretch in them, because they make it hard to bend and move. Although some people do wear jeans anyhow, stretchy pants or leggings of some kind are better. Long sleeved t-shirts or sweatshirts are good, with a fleece vest or jacket to layer over for warmth. You should also wear gloves--those little stretchy ones are great. And you should wear just one pair of fairly thin socks. Thick ones can bunch up and give you blisters, plus they keep your skates from fitting snugly enough.

Hope that helps. We'll look forward to seeing you in the lessons!
My daughter is in the group lessons, and her instructor asked if she would be interested in joining the skating club. Could you give me more information about it?
Thanks for your interest in the skating club! I'll try to explain a little bit about it.

Membership provides access to the club ice times, which allow time and space to practice skating skills. Most club members also take private lessons with a coach. The coaching fees are set by and paid to the coach, and typically range from $15 to $25 per half hour.

The membership dues for the club are currently $110 for first year members. This includes full membership in US Figure Skating (USFS) and a subscription to "Skating" magazine. The dues are prorated to $75 after January 1st. Members pay $8/hour ice time on the club sessions. (There is a guest pass available for 3 sessions for $20 to allow skaters to try it out before joining.)

To qualify for club membership, skaters must have passed the Basic 4 group lesson level. It's really up to the individual skater whether they want to join the club and/or take private lessons at this point. I would encourage skaters at this level to continue with group lessons in any case. After skaters pass the Basic 8 level in group lessons, they can continue into Freestyle 1-6, where they begin to learn the jumps, spins, and advanced footwork.

At about the Freestyle 2 level, skaters who are serious about pursuing the sport should definitely join the club and begin private lessons. This is the point where they will want to start working on the first formal skating test, called "Pre-Preliminary". The formal tests are not judged by the skater's coach, as the group lesson evaluations are, but by a panel of 3 official skating judges. Testing at this level requires USFS full membership, and this is most readily available by joining a local skating club such as Mason-Dixon.

I hope that helps a little bit. I'd encourage you to take advantage of a guest pass so that your daughter can skate a few sessions and see how things work. While she's skating, you can talk to some of the other parents at the rink and get some ideas from them.

Answers by Mary Swim ~~ BOPARC Skate with U.S. Coordinator ~~ and may not reflect the opinions of the Club as a whole
info@mdfsc.org