Ice skating is a fun, confidence-building skill that supports balance, coordination, and physical wellbeing for all ages.
At Inverclyde Leisure, we offer a full Ice Skating Academy based at the Waterfront Ice Rink. Whether you’re starting out as a toddler or want to master jumps and spins, our expert coaches will support you through every glide, step, and turn.
We follow the Skate UK pathway, with structured progress through fun and engaging levels. All lessons are led by British Ice Skating-qualified coaches, so you can feel confident you’re learning from the best – safely and at your own pace!
Beginner Levels:
Skate Tots is the perfect playful introduction to ice skating for children aged 2 to 4. Taught by British Ice Skating-qualified coaches, this pre-school programme helps little ones develop coordination, balance, and confidence on the ice – all through fun, imagination, and games.
This stage is ideal for young beginners who have outgrown Skate Tots or are ready to start learning independently (typically age 4+). Lessons are still delivered in a playful, structured style, using props like Sammy the Seal and Penguin Pete to support confidence and balance.
Fun Badge Series:
The Fun Badge levels form the core of the Skate UK pathway and are ideal for both children and adults who have built initial confidence on the ice.
Whether you’re a beginner skater or returning to the rink, these progressive levels will help you develop strong skating fundamentals in a structured and supportive way.
Each level introduces new skills while building on the last, with plenty of opportunities for skaters to receive feedback and track their progress.
Skating Disciplines (Advanced Levels)
Once you’ve mastered the Fun Badge levels 1–10, it’s time to choose your next adventure on the ice!
Whether you’re drawn to the creativity and grace of Figure Skating, or the speed and teamwork of Ice Hockey, Inverclyde Leisure offers two exciting progression routes to suit your goals.
Both disciplines build on the strong foundation of skating skills you’ve developed through the Skate UK Pathway—and from here, your journey becomes even more specialised, rewarding, and fun.
You can also join our Skating Club to continue developing your skills, take part in our annual show, or prepare for competitive skating.
For those who love to spin, glide, and perform – welcome to the world of Figure Skating!
After completing the Skate UK Fun Badges, figure skating offers a creative and technical progression. You’ll begin learning jumps, spins, and elegant movements choreographed to music. Whether you want to skate just for fun or eventually compete, our structured levels help skaters develop in a safe and supportive environment.
Aim: Introduce the skater to their first jump in figure skating.
By this stage, skaters should be confident skating in both directions and changing direction using simple turns.
You’ll learn to:
- Perform a forward spiral on either foot with flow
- Bunny hop into a forward drag
- Execute a two-foot spin (minimum 3 revolutions)
- Land your first jump: the Three Jump (Waltz Jump)
Aim: Learn the salchow jump and begin to develop a one-foot spin.
This level builds on your first jump and introduces more complex technical skills.
You’ll learn to:
- Hold a backward spiral on either foot
- Master the tea-pot balance on either foot (forward or backward)
- Perform a single salchow jump
- Spin on one foot with a correct entry and exit (minimum 4 revolutions)
Aim: Learn the salchow jump and begin to develop a one-foot spin.
This level builds on your first jump and introduces more complex technical skills.
You’ll learn to:
- Hold a backward spiral on either foot
- Master the tea-pot balance on either foot (forward or backward)
- Perform a single salchow jump
- Spin on one foot with a correct entry and exit (minimum 4 revolutions)
Fast, exciting, and packed with teamwork—ice hockey is a great next step for confident skaters.
Once skaters have completed the Skate UK Fun Badge levels (1–10), they’re ready to join our Learn to Play Hockey pathway. Strong skating skills are essential, as hockey demands speed, agility, and control. Whether you’re looking to join a team or just learn the basics, our hockey classes are dynamic, energetic, and loads of fun!
Who is it for?
Young people aged 6–18 who want to learn the fundamentals of ice hockey in a safe, progressive environment. Skaters should already feel confident moving on the ice and ideally have completed Fun Badge 10.
Looking for more tailored support on the ice?
Private lessons can be arranged weekly, fortnightly, or monthly – whatever suits your schedule. Lessons are taught by our British Ice Skating-qualified coaches at a day and time of your choice (subject to availability).
Interested in booking a private lesson?
Email us at skate.school@inverclydeleisure.com and a member of our team will get back to you.
Looking to fast-track your progress on the ice?
Our Intensive Skating Courses run during the Easter, Summer, and October school holidays and are designed to help skaters of all ages and levels make rapid improvements in a short time.
Led by our British Ice Skating-qualified coaches, each session is structured to encourage development at your pace—whether you’re aiming to build confidence or refine your skills for the next badge level.
Available at Waterfront Ice Rink – limited spaces available.
Why we’re different
Our fun and friendly approach to teaching ice skating will leave your child excited to come to skating lessons, feeling secure in the environment and learning from our skilled teachers who adapt their teaching styles depending on the students learning styles. We really do put your children first and invest in our teachers, so you know you’re getting a first-rate ice skating lesson every time.
Interested in learning to skate?
If you’d like to learn more about our ice skating lessons, please fill out our enquiry form and our team will be in touch.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Beginner group lessons for children are held on Fridays at 4:00 PM and Saturdays at 12:30 PM. Adult beginner lessons run on Saturdays at 11:00 AM. Each group lesson lasts 30 minutes.
Private lessons are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as during Inverclyde school holidays. Times are flexible and arranged to suit you and coach availability.
To enquire, email: skate.school@inverclydeleisure.com
We cater to all ages — pre-schoolers, kids, and adults. Our smallest skate hire size is a child size 7, and we recommend sizing up for stability. If your child wears at least a baby size 6 (EU23), they’re ready to get started on the ice!