Get Your Skates On To Get Fit
The UK has a very long and distinguished history in the world of ice skating.
Early records detail the world's first skating club being in Edinburgh as far back as 1742 and in London from the reign of King William IV.
However, ice skating may have begun as early as 4,000 years ago when the Northern Europeans took to sliding about on pieces of wood or bone, in order to cross the frozen wastes, hunting food or seeking habitation.
The National Ice Skating Association of UK (NISA) is one of the oldest governing bodies in the UK, it was originally founded as the National Skating Association of Great Britain (NSA) in February 1879. Until the early part of 1990 the NSA was responsible for both roller and ice skating, however in 1992 the two disciplines decided to go their separate ways and NISA came into existence. HRH Queen Elizabeth II continues to this day as patron of NISA.
Skate UK is the new National Learn to Skate Programme for all those wishing to learn how to ice skate. The programme is open to all, offering the best quality coaching at your local ice rink.
Forwards and backwards skating, stopping, turns – even jumps and spins can be learned in easy progressions through the 10 Levels of Skate UK.
It's all come a long way from the tests in 1742 that required skaters to skate a complete circle and then jump over an hat, then two hats and finally three hats. Coaching is most cost effective in group classes.
Each Level of Skate UK offers certificates and badges as well as sweatshirts and other items of clothing.
Learning to skate will be fun and easy whatever age you are and before long you could be participating in competitions and tests.
Are you interested in seeing what learning to skate is all about? Come along to Silver Blades in Cannock and find out more or visit silverblades.co.uk/cannock
