The RocknRoller Skate Academy

Our focus when starting the Company was very much geared towards the fitness and family interaction element. Paul’s background as an Army PT Instructor and subsequent civilian career as a Professional Conditioning Coach made him realise the importance of what he chooses to call “Stealth Fitness”. In its most basic form, taking the participant(s) mind off what they are doing whilst maintaining the level of concentration needed to perform the exercise or activity correctly and most of all safely.

At RocknRoller we have successfully created a platform for children and families alike to exercise together in a fun and above all safe environment, most of the time without realising that they have completed two hours of low-impact, cardiovascular exercise. The creation of The RocknRoller Skate Academy has come about as a result of our experiences with schools and families alike. Parents have been amazed by their childrens’ improvement in fitness and general willingness to exercise through skating and teachers have been left speechless at how pupils, previously perceived as being totally disinterested in participation activities have taken the opportunity to skate and  actually enjoy a form of exercise!

We offer teaching 2 options to schools:

• Option 1: Structured training courses and sessions, conducted by our own instructors using our equipment formatted to a schools specific requirements

• Option 2:  Our Academy Skate Package provides the Equipment and Training needed to introduce skating into your School

Our instructors are all experienced skaters holding various teaching and skating qualifications. Fully CRB checked and working to structured lesson plans they maintain a relaxed, “cool” approach to skate tuition, delivering each module in a fun, relaxed yet professional manner.

At the end of each Skate Course an opportunity to hold a RocknRoller Roller Disco at the venue is offered at an additional cost.

Health Benefits Plus!

Whilst skating has continued to be a hugely popular sport over recent times, people have also realised that skating, if done with a level of proficiency can also offer the following health benefits:

Aerobic Benefits

As anyone who has skated will tell you, skating is a workout! Participants will burn anything from 300 to 600+ calories per hour. Regular skate sessions can help achieve long-term aerobic benefits as well as improve recovery and endurance levels. For many “non-sporty” youngsters, skating offers an opportunity to gain much-needed exercise in a non competitive, fun environment.

Anaerobic Benefits

Core, hip, and leg muscles all benefit from regular skate sessions and lower back, shoulder and upper arms are also used for balance and stability.

Propreoception, Balance and Co-ordination

All three of these have been proven to benefit from regular skate sessions. Specific drills and games incorporated not only in our organised teaching sessions but also our open events help participants to develop these essential skills.

Plus!

• Skating is extremely low impact on joints.
• Skating can often accommodate certain mental (autism, dyspraxia etc) and physical disabilities which could normally limit sports participation.
• Many youngsters do not see skating as a sport, but as more of a “cool” hobby, hence the number of youngsters who join our sessions who would normally gain benefit from little or no exercise outside of school-time.
• Skating is a very social sport and offers participants an opportunity to interact in a fun, non competitive environment. Interaction is actively encouraged during teaching and general skate sessions by way of group and individual drills and games.

Option 1: Courses and Coaching Sessions

Our Schools and Colleges teaching packages are fully adaptable according to age, ability and group size. In addition to our experienced coaches, RocknRoller supply high quality quad skates, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards and helmets. We hold full Public Liability Insurance (underwritten by Lloyds of London) and venues are inspected prior to the arrangement of any activities and Venue-Specific Risk Assessments drafted and provided to work in conjunction with existing policies.

Aim

The aim of this course is to enable students to skate safely and confidently, allowing them to maximise their enjoyment of skating whether at an organised skate park or event or in a suitable open space.

Course Format

Sessions are designed to last for one hour. This allows sufficient time for the fitting and removal of equipment. However, all courses can be formatted in advance according to timetable restrictions or specific activity time-slot.

Group Sizes

These are very much set according to age and ability. As a general rule no more than 12-15 pupils per instructor are recommended, though older, more competent skaters have worked in larger groups in the past.

Example Introduction to Skating Course

Skills Covered

• Safety and Correct Fitting of Skates and Safety Equipment
• Falling
• Getting Back Up
• Basic Propulsion
• Stopping
• Gliding and Posture
• Turning
• Skating Backwards (dependant on ability)
• Skating Outdoors (Safety, consideration for others, skate etiquette)

All skills taught are practised each week by means of drills, group activities and games.

Specific advanced courses are available encompassing more difficult manoeuvres and specific dance skills, even group dance choreography!

Prices (Minimum class size of 30)

£60 per pupil per 6 week course. (Includes a Skate Academy T-shirt and course literature)

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 In addition to these 6 week courses The RocknRoller Skate Academy can also format teaching and coaching sessions to incorporate:

• Activity Days
• After-school activity clubs
• Half-day sessions
• One-off taster sessions

Wherever possible we will aim to adapt to specific budgets, timings and group requirements. If you have any questions or an enquiry please contact Paul directly on 07795 486959 or e-mail him directly at paul@rocknrollerdisco.com

Option 2: The Academy Schools Skate Package

We provide schools with a complete package of training and equipment to allow them to offer an alternative, sustainable PE or extra-curricular activity themselves. Teachers are offered the opportunity to spend a day with our professional staff, learning the skills required to safely coach and supervise children in the basics of skating and maximise the full use of the equipment. Upon completion, a course folder is provided containing:

• Session Plans with coaching points
• Handouts for pupils
• Drills and Games Instructions
• Pre and post-skate stretching routines

The equipment and more specifically sizes of the equipment will be tailored according to age-spread. All of the equipment provided is the same as that used at our public events, so proven to be capable of surviving the most “enthusiastic” of skaters!

Example Skate Package

• 100 pairs of High quality Quad Skates
• 35 pairs of Knee and Elbow Pads
• 35 pairs of Wrist Guards
• 35 Helmets
• Wheeled cages for storage and ease of movement
• Games/Drills Pack (containing bollards, disks etc to correspond with the coaching pack)
• A two-hour equipment familiarisation session upon delivery

Prices vary according to skate sizes. Please ask for further details

Grants are available through Sports Unlimited and at www.awardsforall.org. Alternatively contact your local Sports Development Officer or Local Council.

Please contact Paul on 07795 486959 to discuss your requirements further.