ASPIRE
Aspire is designed for skaters who have passed Basic 5 and are ready to take the next step in their skating journey!
ASPIRE
Select your choice of one, two, or three days for your skater to attend class.
January - May 2025
Welcome to the Winter/Spring Session Aspire registration! Aspire is designed for skaters who have passed Basic 5 and are ready to take the next step in their skating journey!
Aspire skaters can choose to participate in programming either one, two, three or four days per week. Skaters will be divided into small groups for focused, on-ice training based on skill level.On Saturdays , Aspire skaters will participate in a 25 minute off-ice class, a 15 minute on-ice practice session, and a 30 minute on-ice class.
On Mondays, Aspire skaters will participate in 60 minutes of on-ice instruction. The first 30 minute class will be used for their skill development and the second 30 minute class will be used to introduce the different pathways in the skating world. These pathways include Skating Skills (previously known as Moves In The Field), Ice Dance, Theater On Ice, Synchro, and more! Also included is a 25 minute off-ice class.
On Thursdays, Aspire skaters will participate in a 25 minute off-ice class and a 30 minute on-ice class.
On Sundays, skaters will participate in a 30 minute advanced class focused solely on jumps & spins and the techniques utilized for those skills. This is an on-ice class and is not paired with an off-ice class.
Aspire Skaters are encouraged to also register for Freestyle Ice as an independent practice time where skaters can work on the skills they are learning in their Aspire class times. Skaters can also coordinate with a Private Lesson Coach to schedule individual lessons during Freestyle Ice sessions. Sunday Freestyle Ice options are 4:00-5:00 PM or 6:00-7:30 PM. Please visit the Freestyle Ice page (sffsc.com/programs/freestyle) for the fill listing of days, times, and pricing options.
Bonus! Any Aspire Skater that registers in all four days of Aspire training for this session will be registered in the Aspire Group Number for the Annual Spring Show at no additional cost. (Discount of $150)
Saturdays (12 weeks)
Schedule:
● 9:30-9:55 AM: Aspire Dryland off-ice instruction
● 10:00-10:15 AM: Practice session
● 10:15-10:45 AM: Aspire on-ice class
Dates:
● January 4, 11, 18, 25
● February 1, 22 *No Classes 2/8 (Competition) & 2/15 (Holiday)*
● March 1, 8, 22, 29 *No Classes 3/15 (Competition)*
● April 5, 12
Cost & Payment Options:
● Cost: $336
● Payment Options:
1. Pay in Full (pay $336 at check out)
2. Pay in Installments (pay in 4 payments: (1) $84 at checkout, (2) $84 on 2/5/25, (3) $84 on 3/5/25, (4) $84 on 4/5/25)
Mondays (14 weeks)
Schedule:
● 5:30-5:55 PM: Dryland off-ice instruction
● 5:55-6:05 PM: Skates on
● 6:15-6:45 PM: Aspire on-ice class
● 6:45-7:00 PM: Practice
● 7:00-7:30 PM: Aspire Pathways on-ice instruction
Dates:
● January 6, 13, 27 *No Classes 1/20 (Holiday)*
● February 3, 10, 24 *No Classes 2/17 (Holiday)*
● March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
● April 7, 14, 28 *No Classes 4/21 (Holiday)*
Cost & Payment Options:
● Cost: $784
● Payment Options:
1. Pay in Full (pay $784 at check out)
2. Pay in Installments (pay in 4 payments: (1) $196 at checkout, (2) $196 on 2/5/25, (3) $196 on 3/5/25, (4) $196 on 4/5/25)
Thursdays (17 weeks)
Schedule:
● 7:00-7:20 PM: Aspire Dryland off-ice instruction
● 7:20-7:30 PM: Skates on
● 7:30-8:00 PM: Aspire on-ice class
Dates:
● January 9, 16, 23, 30
● February 6, 13, 20, 27
● March 6, 13, 20, 27
● April 3, 10, 17, 24
● May 1
Cost & Payment Options:
Note: If your skater is currently registered on the Theater on Ice Team, they are eligible for the discounted rate for Thursday night of Aspire
● Cost: $476 [TOI Members $390]
● Payment Options:
1. Pay in Full (pay $476 at check out) [TOI Members pay $390]
2. Pay in Installments (pay in 4 payments: (1) $119 at checkout, (2) $119 on 2/5/25, (3) $119 on 3/5/25, (4) $119 on 4/5/25) [TOI Members Pay in Installments (pay in 4 payments: (1) $97.50 at checkout, (2) $97.50 on 2/5/25, (3) $32.67 on 3/5/25, (4) $x.xx on 4/5/25)]
Note: TOI Team Member $86 Discount will automatically appear in the cart for all current season registered TOI Team members, if you do not see this discount, please be sure you have registered your skater for the current TOI team.
Sundays (12 weeks)
Schedule:
● 5:00-5:30 PM: Advanced Jumps & Spins (on-ice class)
Dates:
● January 5, 12, 19, 26
● February 2, 23 *No Classes 2/9 (Competition) & 2/16 (Holiday)*
● March 2, 9, 23, 30 *No Classes 3/16 (Competition)*
● April 6, 13
Cost & Payment Options:
● Cost: $216
● Payment Options:
1. Pay in Full (pay $216 at check out)
2. Pay in Installments (pay in 4 payments: (1) $54 at checkout, (2) $54 on 2/5/25, (3) $54 on 3/5/25, (4) $54 on 4/5/25)
Aspire & Additional Skating Progression
Q: What else should/could my skater be doing while in Aspire to advance their abilities?
A: Skaters should be utilizing LTS classes specified for their level (Basic 6, Pre-Free Skate, Free Skate 1-4.) Additionally, skaters should be looking into Jump & Spins Classes. Low Jump & Spins is focused on beginner singles and starter spins. Intermediate Jump & Spins targets more advanced singles, starts work on Axel jumps and more advanced spins. Either of these would help with their Free Skate elements. Skating Skills class focuses on the techniques and patterns for Skating Skill tests.
Q: What can my skater do at home to help aid their skating?
A: At home your skater should be stretching, doing jumps off-ice and doing their best to remember the names of each element. Additionally, if your skater is able to get a turn board, they should be working on spin positions and spins.
Q: How long does my skater stay in Aspire before the next step?
A: Skaters are eligible for Aspire from levels Basic 6 up to Free Skate 4. After Free Skate 4, skaters start prep for Axel Jumps & double jumps. However, sometimes a skater finds a private lesson coach who is able to progress them. In this instance, if the private lesson coach, parents & skater agree, graduating out of Aspire early to pursue other avenues is a great idea!
Q: What is the next step after Aspire?
A: To best progress your skater after Aspire, you should find a private lesson coach to work with on SFFSC Freestyle Ice. You and your skater should make a decision about what skating paths to prioritize. Options include Competing ISI competitions in our area, testing USFS Skating Skills, USFS Ice Dance, skating on a Theater On Ice Team, and many more.- Most skaters in this area focus on Skating Skills and Freestyle Levels. We have a large group of skaters who compete ISI on top of that, and a few who compete USFS.
Skating Equipment
Q: What does my skater need?
A: Each skater should have:- hair pulled back
- long pants
- jacket or sweatshirt with a regular shirt underneath
- water bottle
- skates
- a rag to wipe their blades off with.
Q: What kind of skates should we buy?
A: There are a few trustworthy brands we especially recommend at different price points. At this age skaters are growing at a rapid pace. A few brands we recommend are:- American Athletic- Dream Figure Skates (use code: SCHEELS-FIG to purchase them at $67.99 (usually $102.99))
- Jackson Ultimas- Artiste, Evo, Elle or Freestyle
- Riedell Skates- The Developmental Series (Listed starting with the most affordable)- Opal, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond. These advance in size and support as your skater grows and develops in the sport. NOTE: If your skater has wide feet, Jackson Ultimas are your best bet, Riedells are best for narrow feet.
Q: Where can I buy figure skates?
A: To order in person, you may try Hockey Headquarters or Scheels. You can find some of these skates lightly used at Hockey Headquarters. To order online you can go to American Athletics website (https://americanathleticshoe.com/collections/figure-skates) or Amazon. You can also find some of these skates lightly used on Facebook Marketplace, Ebay etc.
