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 1, 2, or 3 days
for your skater to attend class.
June - August 2024
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 1, 2, or 3 days per week. Skaters will be divided into small groups for on-ice training.
Aspire skaters will participate in a 30 minute off-ice class, a 15 minute on-ice practice session, and a 30 minute on-ice class.
Mondays (10 weeks)
Schedule:- 6:15-6:40 PM: off-ice instruction
- 6:40-6:45 PM: skates on
- 6:45-7:00 PM: practice
- 7:00-7:30 PM: on-ice instruction
- June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- July 7, 14, 21, 28
- August 4
- Cost: $280
- Payment Options:
- Pay in Full (pay $280 at check out)
- Pay in Installments (pay in 3 payments: (1) $93.34 at checkout, (2) $93.33 on 7/5/25, (3) $93.33 on 8/5/25)
Tuesdays (7 weeks)
Schedule:- 10:00-10:30 AM: on-ice instruction
- 10:30-10:45 AM: skates off
- 10:45 AM-12:00 PM: off-ice instruction
- June 3, 10, 24 *No Classes 6/17 (Shooting Stars Camp)*
- July 1, 8, 22, 29 *No Classes 7/15 (Shooting Stars Camp)*
- Cost: $196
- Payment Options:
- Pay in Full (pay $196 at check out)
- Pay in Installments (pay in 3 payments: (1) $65.34 at checkout, (2) $65.33 on 7/5/25, (3) $65.33 on 8/5/25)
Thursdays (8 weeks)
Schedule:- 6:30-6:55 PM: off-ice instruction
- 6:55-7:00 PM: skates on
- 7:00-7:30 PM: on-ice instruction
- June 5, 12, 19, 26
- July 3, 10, 17, 31 *No Classes 7/24 (World's Competition, Blaine, MN)*
- Cost: $224
- Payment Options:
- Pay in Full (pay $224 at check out)
- Pay in Installments (pay in 3 payments: (1) $74.67 at checkout, (2) $74.67 on 7/5/25, (3) $74.66 on 8/5/25)
IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT INFORMATION
All Aspire skaters are considered members of the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club, which requires a SFFSC Aspire Club Membership. Your membership must be current before we are able to welcome your skater onto the ice. If you do not have the required current membership you will receive an email from our membership manager with instructions on how to purchase or renew your membership.
Summer SFFSC Membership note: The summer session occurs during both the 2024-25 season and the 2025-26 season. All skaters participating in the summer season will need both season memberships. (2024-25 season ends on 6/30/25 and the 2025-26 season begins on 7/1/25. All 2025-26 memberships are effective through 6/30/26).
- Skaters with a current 2024-25 SFFSC Aspire Membership: If you have a current 2024-25 SFFSC Aspire Membership, that will expire on 6/30/25, you will receive an email with a link to renew your membership for the 2025-26 season.
- New Skaters: If you are new to SFFSC Aspire programs and participating in the summer session for the first time, you will receive an email with a link to a pro-rated SFFSC Aspire Membership that will cover the remainder of the 2024-25 season as well as your membership for the entire upcoming 2025-26 season.
Please contact: members@sffsc.com if you have any questions regarding SFFSC memberships.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SFFSC has the right to cancel any session, class, or event that does not reach the required skater minimums prior to the registration deadline. All deadlines are set a minimum of seven days prior to the day of the event. Any invoice created to enroll a skater in a program past the deadline to register will be subject to a $5 invoice fee. Should any session be canceled, you will be notified via email and refunded. Registration & Processing Fees are non-refundable. Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club releases responsibility and liability of all participants at the conclusion of each event as specified in the event schedule.
Questions? Please direct any questions to: info@sffsc.com
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.
