Skate Instruction
Become an instructor and get paid to teach skating. We'll facilitate the training.
Overview/Class of 2024 ● Training Pathways ● Training Schedule
● ● ●
Overview
How to Become a Paid Skate Instructor
The distinguishing qualities of our skate school are our attention to safety and our thorough skill development process.We have come up with two pathways to include both qualities in your development as a new instructor based on your teaching appetite and the level of your skating skills.You can expedite this entire process if you are a seasoned instructor.
Made Possible by the Class of 2024
A big thank you to Ronnie Jade , Elisabeth and Destini for bearing with us as we set up our program.
We'll provide our class of 2024 all the support we can for becoming the best skate instructors ever!
Thank you for taking on this challenge.
Training Pathways
Here are the three pathways to beome a paid skate instructor:
The Starter Path
Fast and Beginner Friendly
Where You'll be Able to Teach as a Paid Instructor
Who You Get Access to for Training
What You Can Potentially Teach
Train to teach at Kraken Kourts and Skates
Register as USA Roller Sports STAR Skate Instructor.
Obtain safety training at the Kraken facility.
Get an an orientation of our unique teaching process.
Shadow an instructor until you are ready to solo.
Download and complete this workbook to qualify
Skate Instructor Training Instructions and Checklist, Starter Path.
● ● ●
The Thorough Path
Opens More Places to Teach
Where You'll be Able to Teach as a Paid Instructor
Who you get access to for training
What you can teach
Certify as a SkateIA Instructor
Take a SkateIA Skate Instructor certification.
This can be done online or in person.
You can certify to teach general skating, skate park or slalom.
We Can Assist With the Following
Help you develop your skating and teaching skills.
Help you record video to submit for your online certification.
Provide a scholarship to help cover the certification costs.
Download and complete this workbook to qualify
Skate Instructor Training Instructions and Checklist, Thorough Path.
● ● ●
The Seasoned Path
If you Already Teach
For seasoned instructors:
Demonstrate your skate instructor skills by teaching a mock skate lesson.
We will reduce our training requirements accordingly.
If you already are a USA Roller Sports registered skate coach or a SkateIA certified skate instructor, this will considerably reduce your pathway.
Contact Lead Instructor Andrew for details.
He coordinates all the training.
Training Schedule
We offer experiential training where you build your skills to become a paid instructor while teaching at our skate classes with the help of our current instructors.
Classes Where You Can Train
Here are the weekly and monthly classes where you can shadow instructors and work with them to complete your training process:
| Day/Time | Class Type | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| 630pm Wed | Learn to Skate | Andrew |
| 6pm Thu | Rollerdance | Clare |
| 10am Sat | Learn to Skate | Andrew |
| 10am Sat | Outdoor Clinic* | Danny |
* Danny will be teaching the Learn to Skate Clinic monthly at the Salvation Army gym. It is a learn to skate outdoors class taught indoors in cooler weather.
How to Do Your Training
The process of training to become an instructor includes:
Working with a current instructor to build up your confidence and skills to teach.
Teaching portions of a class.
Familiarizing yourself with and demonstrating the core "Learn to Skate" class skills.
Teaching an entire class under a current instructor's supervision.
Achieving the confidence and ability to teach solo.
The amount of training varies from person to person and you get to chart your own course in the resources we provide.
Teaching Beginners
This is our Learn to Skate Lesson Plan that skate instructor Andrew follows for teaching beginner roller skaters at Kraken Kourts and Skates.The objective is to provide a baseline lesson plan for all instructors to be familiar with. You are welcome to adopt it as is, or adjust it to your teaching style, especially if you have been teaching for a while.
Instructor Demos
There are two mandatory sections for you to demonstrate to become an instructor with us.
The Safety Protocols Section which covers setting up a safe teaching area and teaching falling safety.
The Toe Stopping section which models our three step by three step breakdown for teaching new skating skills.
Videos with pink titles are mandatory to learn and demonstrate.
The Training Videos
Safety Protocols
Setting up a Safe Space
Setting up barriers and a carpet at Kraken Kourts and Skates. 🔴
Falling Safety
Making friends with the ground, how to get up and prevent falling. 🔴
Striding and Stopping
Spirit Animals
The duck, the penguin, the sway, the knee squeeze and glide. 🔴
Footwork/Stopping
Learn the toe stop using a 3 step by 3 step breakdown. 🔴
Balance, Edgework and Turning
Balance/Edge Work
Cones, swizzles, windshield wipers, and the slalom fish. 🔴
Sharp Turning
Add scissors to the fish, forward foot in the turning direction. 🔴
Status:
🔴 (6 of 6) no content
🟠 (0 of 6) poor content
🟢 (0 of 6) good/finalized content
👤 (0 of 6) video includes a guest skater
(Move to overview.) The point of this website is to take all this modern technology we have lying around us and to use it as a tool to speed your understanding for what you need to do.It's a little bit of a brochure for our Skate School, a checklist of what you need to do and an eLearning platform to teach our beginner lesson plan at Kraken Kourts and skates.We also have our class schedule where you can shadow our instructors to get hands on practice and feedback for actually doing your teaching.
Locations ● Indoors ● Outdoors ● Skate Care
Providing inline & roller skating classes + community events in Washington DC.
Locations
Kraken Kourts & Skates Bryant Street ● at the indoor roller rink 514 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC ● across the pedestrian bridge from the Rhode Island Ave Brentwood metro station on the red line.
Salvation Army ● Sherman Avenue Corps Parking Lot, 3335 Sherman Ave NW, Washington DC ● five blocks south of the Georgia Ave-Petworth metro station on the green line.
Rock Creek Park ● Carter Barron Amphitheatre Parking Lot and Entrance Circle, 4850 Colorado Ave NW, Washington DC
Indoor Lessons
Contact us if you have any trouble registering online to guarantee instructor availability. Then arrive early to register at the door.
Skate Lessons at Kraken Kourts and Skates
Register via the Kraken website
630pm Thursdays
& 10am Saturdays
Learn to Skate at a Roller Rink ● Covers getting comfortable on skates, rink safety and basic skating skills.This class can be repeated for a progression of skills including: basic stride, balance, turning and stopping.
Register via the Kraken website
630pm Wedns
-days
Rollerdance ● for non beginners ● Take your skating to the next level, learn some skate moves to show off at the rink, and choreograph it to the beat of the music.Coach Clare teaches Rollerdance on select Wednesdays an you can reach out in advance to make sure she will be there for your session.
Private Lessons ● Get one on one time with a skate instructor to provide you coaching customized to your skating needs.● Skate Coach Jennifer offers beginner to competitive artistic coaching 9am Saturdays.● Skate Instructor Clare offers beginner to Rollerdance coaching 730pm Wednesdays.
Instructors
Instructors
About Skate Coach Jennifer
Jennifer is trained in artistic skating with a background in coaching and competing on a national level.
Her roller skating journey began with skating at age 3 and starting as a skate instructor at age 10.
She has successfully taught hundreds of adults and children of all levels.
Jennifer peviously ran her own skating club in a roller rink in Massachusetts.
Jennifer's credentials
USA Roller Sports certified Competitive Artistic Skating Skate Coach.
Competed on a national stage and has coached students who have competed nationally as well.
About Skate Instructor Clare
Clare's adventures have taken her into dance, choreography, gymnastics, circus arts and also teaching skating.
She has immersed herself in the DC area "snap city" style skating scene.
Clare has been roller skating and sharing her knowledge since the beginning of the pandemic.
Clare's certifications
SkateIA Level 1 Skate Instructor.
USA Roller Sports recognized Skate Coach.
Outdoor Lessons
We have loaner skates and protective equipment available for free at our outdoor lessons.
Group Lessons
Learn to Skate Outdoors ● Covers proper use of protective equipment, falling safety and prevention, basic stride, turning and stopping.
Private Lessons
Outdoor Private Lessons ● Available for adults, children and families, beginner to advanced skaters, covering the skills of your choice.
Instructors
About Skate Instructor Danny
Danny has been tirelessly teaching beginners at the learn to skate clinic, which originated in Rock Creek Park, over the past 20+ years.
He started on inline skates and teaches both inline and roller skaters.
Danny is a SkateIA Certified Level 1 Skate Instructor.
About Lead Instructor Andrew
Andrew has been street skating, trail skating, teaching and organizing events for 30+ years.
He learned to skate on the streets of Manhattan and routinely organized and led group street skates with hundreds of participants safely.
Andrew skates and teaches on inline and roller skates, indoors in rinks and outdoors on the trails.
Andrew's certifications
SkateIA Certified Level 2 Skate Instructor, with a roller fitness endorsement.
USA Roller Sports recognized Skate Coach.
Community Page
Join us this summer and fall as we make new friends and get more people into skating.
Free Learn to Skate Clinic ● Saturday mornings at the Salvation Army on Sherman Ave NW and Rock Creek Park.
Start with the clinic if you are learning to skate or need a refresher. We have loaner skates & protective gear available.
Introductory Rollerdance ● Learn skills to show off when you skate. Select Tuesdays, pay what you can.
Skate Lab ● Skate sessions range from skate fitness to exploring a trail, on select Mondays outdoors and indoors.
Rink Night ● Our Salvation Army fundraiser is coming and we are looking for skaters who can help.
We operate a free "Learn to Skate" clinic as a service to the community to promote safe skating and make skating more fun.The clinic covers the proper use of safety equipment, basic skating skills and how to use a heel brake or toe stop for stopping. It's great for new skaters and anyone returning to the sport.Helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads are required. Use the form below to sign up.
For skaters who have taken the Learn to Skate clinic and other non-beginner skaters:Learn skate moves to show off at your next skate -- at a roller rink or anywhere else -- and choreograph your skating to music.
Introductory Rollerdance
For skaters who have taken the learn to skate clinic and other non-beginner skaters:Get fit and explore new places to skate; this will be held in various locations.
Skate Lab
Rink night is coming -- we're working on arrangements to turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink and more. Right now we're tracking who is up for helping out with the event.
I Want to Volunteer
Private Lessons Outdoors
Notes
Private lessons run for 60 minutes.
If you don't see a compatible date or have a special request use the request button below.
Learn to Skate Outdoors
Can't sign up? Request this class.
Skate Fitness
Can't sign up? Request this class.
Trail and Street Skating
Can't sign up? Request this class.
Jam Skating
Can't sign up? Request this class.
Slalom Skating
Can't sign up? Request this class.
Aggressive Skating
Can't sign up? Request this class.
Skating for Kids
Notes
Indoor Skate Sessions
Register in advance; pay what you want at the door as a donation to the Salvation Army.
Protective gear required; we have free loaner gear available for use during the session.
Adults must accompany minors throughout the skate.
Notes
Register in advance; sessions are free but there is a limit to the number of skaters we can host.
Protective gear required; we have free loaner gear available for use during the session.
Adults must accompany minors throughout the skate.
Outdoor Skate Sessions (do up form)
Fill out this form to get more information about becoming a skate instructor or skate coach at our skate school.
Teach With Us
Sign Our Waiver
Agree to our Waiver
Sign Our Waiver Packet
Rink Night
630-830pm Saturday, September 16
Our DJ'ed Roller Rink Night Cookout Fundraiser
Enjoy both longtime and new skating friends as we turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink for inline and roller skaters. We'll bring a DJ playing a mix of danceable tunes, plus food, drink, good cheer from the community, and plenty of skaters to meet.Pay what you want for entry. Proceeds to benefit the summer kids camp at the Salvation Army.Bring your skates and safety gear. We'll also have loaner skates and safety gear available.This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, we'll relocate indoors in the Salvation Army gym.
SkateInstruction.com/#rinknight
Rink Night
End of summer edition.
630-830pm Saturday, September 16
Our DJ'ed Roller Rink Night Cookout Fundraiser
Enjoy both longtime and new skating friends as we turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink for inline and roller skaters. We'll bring a DJ playing a mix of danceable tunes, plus food, drink, good cheer from the community, and plenty of skaters to meet.Pay what you want for entry. Proceeds to benefit the summer kids camp program at the Salvation Army.Bring your skates and safety gear. We'll also have loaner skates and safety gear available.This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, we'll relocate indoors in the Salvation Army gym at the same address.
RSVP for Rink Night ● Space is limited; sign up in advance for guaranteed entry at the event.
Not ready to skate? Use the link below for a free lesson.
Learn to Skate ● Free ● Covers the proper use of protective gear, falling safety and prevention, basic stride, turning and stopping.
Ready to step up your game? Take some post beginner classes and build your skating style.
Skate Lab ● (Learn to Skate "Part 2") ● A mix of balance, fitness and skating to music to get the most from skating outdoors.
Skate Lab is offered on a pay what you want basis.
Skate Care
Because your skates deserve care just as much as you do.
Part of skating is the relationship you build with your skates -- starting from picking the right pair, to showing off your gear, to providing your skates the proper care so they can always be a joy to wear.We're proud to have Adrienne on our team to share her expertise.
About Adrienne, our Resident Skate Expert
Owner of the Department of Skate, Washington DC's only skate shop.
Long time roller derby skater as Velocity Raptor.
Actively skates, sells, sets up and offers maintenance and advice on all skates far and wide.
Adrienne is a great resource with a vast ocean of knowledge and you can reach out to her anytime to get her help.
Skate Care Sessions
Skate Maintenance ● 10am-noon Saturday June 17 ● Grab your tools and roll up your sleeves as we take you through the steps to get your skates in shape and keep them rolling smoothly.
The Check My Skates session is designed to be a place where you can take pride in the gear you have, get some brief answers to any problems, and to figure out next steps on what you can do with your skates.
Check My Skates ● Show off your special setup, bring those skates from mom's attic, or your current skates to look at. We'll admire your gear & give you some helpful tips.
Skate Buyer Workshop ● Can't decide what skates to get?
Contact Us
Thank You!
Thank you for reaching out to us. Getting feedback from you helps us build better programs.
Your form has been submitted, we'll check out what you sent and be in touch with you soon.
Skate Lesson Confirmation
Thanks for signing up! We're very excited that you will attend. Here is the key information you'll need to have the best experience:
Places Where We Teach
Depending on where we've indicated to meet, we'll be at the Salvation Army or Rock Creek Park. Here are the directions for each spot:
Salvation Army
We'll meet at the Salvation Army on Sherman Avenue in Petworth. The address is:3335 Sherman Ave NWPark on the streets nearby and meet at the front entrance, at the corner of Sherman and Morton St NW. We'll have people coming out periodically to meet you and bring you to where we are teaching.If you are taking public transportation, it's a short walk from the Petworth metro station.
Rock Creek Park
We'll meet at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre Parking Lot in Rock Creek Park. The address is:4850 Colorado Ave NWIt's an enormous parking lot; turn in from Colorado Avenue and we'll meet near the entrance. If you find yourself near the tennis courts, you'll need to go the other end of the parking lot.
Other Locations
If we're meeting at any other location, we'll send an email with directions on how to get there.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
We'll send out a note if we need to cancel the session and reschedule it. It could be due to bad weather or a parking lot that's too wet, among other reasons. If that happens, we will provide a date for when the session is rescheduled.
What to Bring
either inline skates
...or roller skates
a helmet -- required outdoors
These items are also required outdoors:
wrist guards
elbow pads
knee pads
We do have loaner skate equipment; if you need something, please let us know as soon as you can.
Be There Early -- When We Start
be 30 minutes early to borrow gear
be 15 minutes early to put on your gear
our skate class will start on time
What to Expect
We'll get geared up, and start doing some skating! The plan is to skate safely and have some fun. We'll work to make sure you get some time with an instructor and for practice on your own.For any other questions, you're welcome to reach out to me by text or a phone call, I'm the lead instuctor and am reachable at 410-394-9483.Looking forward to seeing you there!Andrew Barabasz