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An independent guide. Not the official website of Sapphire Ice & Leisure, Everyone Active, Havering Council or the former Romford Ice Arena. About this site

Ice skating lessons in Romford and Essex

Lessons are the fastest way to go from clinging to the barrier to skating with confidence. Romford's rink, Sapphire Ice & Leisure, runs learn-to-skate and ice hockey courses, and every rink near Romford has its own programme.

Course dates, levels and prices are set by the rink. For Romford, see the official Sapphire Ice & Leisure page; for other rinks see ice rinks near Romford.

How learn-to-skate courses work

Most UK rinks teach beginners through Skate UK, the national learn-to-skate scheme from British Ice Skating. It breaks skating into a series of badges, from standing up and marching on the ice to gliding, stopping, skating backwards and simple turns. Classes are grouped by level rather than age, so a nervous adult will not end up beside a confident eight-year-old for long.

Courses usually run as a weekly class over a term or block of weeks, with a group lesson followed by practice time on the ice. At the end of each level the coach assesses skaters for their next badge.

Ages

  • Pre-school: many rinks run classes from about three or four, often with a parent nearby.
  • Children: the main programme, usually after school and at weekends.
  • Adults: adult-only beginner classes exist at most rinks and are popular. If you have never skated, they are the least embarrassing way to start.

After the badges

Skaters who finish the Skate UK levels usually choose a direction:

  • Figure skating: jumps, spins and footwork, often with private lessons from a coach and practice on patch ice. Many go on to tests and competitions.
  • Ice dance: partnered or solo pattern dances with an emphasis on edges and timing.
  • Ice hockey: hockey-specific skating, then stick skills and games. Junior clubs take players from primary-school age. Romford's hockey pathway is linked to the Raiders' academy; see ice hockey in Romford.
  • Recreational: plenty of people stop at "confident" and just enjoy public sessions.

Private lessons

Rinks keep a list of qualified coaches who give one-to-one lessons by arrangement, usually on patch or freestyle ice. A few private sessions can fix a specific problem quickly, such as a wobbly backwards glide or a stop that will not come.

What you need

For the first course, hire skates, gloves and warm, flexible clothing are enough; many rinks recommend or require helmets for young children. Once a skater is going every week, owning boots makes a real difference. See buying your first skates and kit for children.

Schools and groups

Rinks also run sessions for schools, clubs and youth groups, with coaching and skate hire. Ask the rink's bookings team directly.