What is Artistic Skating?
Artistic Roller Skating is a sport that pairs artistry, strength and discipline in a unique and incredible way. Similar to ice figure skating, it is comprised of multiple disciplines such as freeskating, pairs, solo and team dance, and a variety show events. Artistic roller skating is a beautiful activity with competitive opportunities for skaters of all ages and skill sets!
Who We Are
The Rinks, partnered with Team USA athlete and coach Candice Clifford, have come together to form a new competitive club, The Rinks Artistic Skating Team! RAST is the newest addition to the artistic roller skating Southern California League and is dedicated to helping students develop strength, artistry, discipline, and community in a fun and positive environment. We are a supportive team of athletes that work together and help one another grow in self-confidence and ambition. Our programs strive to take the beginners of today and make them into the World Champions of tomorrow!
Overview
The Rinks Artistic Skating Team (RAST) is a new approach to artistic roller skating! Unlike most programs in the United States, ours is class based. From first steps to double axels, students will train primarily in group settings. This style of training provides skaters with a better sense of camaraderie and parents a more affordable alternative throughout their athlete's careers.
- Students brand new to skating begin in our Star Skate Program, a 30-minute class followed by 30 minutes of off-skates fun! As they progress through the four levels of this program, they learn body awareness and master foundational skills that they will use for life! This program is a variation of the USA Roller Sports Star Program. It has been modified to help students progress quickly and more efficiently through their fundamental skills.
- Once students graduate from the Star Skate Program, they will join the Pre-Competition Program (hyperlink to landing page). This hour-and-a-half weekly class introduces students to the fundamentals of two of our major disciplines: freeskating and dance. After 30 minutes of each, students partake in Dry Land conditioning, where they learn important skills that will help them on their journey to becoming great athletes! The 4 levels of this class are designed to help provide students with their basic fundamentals that they will use in competitive programs! Students in our Pre-Comp Program are eligible to take up to 2 hours of Private Lessons per week and compete in beginner competitions at local Southern California League Meets
- Finally, students will join two classes per week with our Competition Team (hyperlink to landing page). Each class will cover dance, freeskating, and Dry-Land conditioning skills. They will be eligible for 2-4 private lessons per week with our instructors. Additionally, Comp Team athletes will join USA Roller Sports and purchase an athlete amateur card, officially becoming part our competitive club, The Rinks Artistic Skating Team.
If your student has prior experience in skating (roller or ice), we strongly encourage you to sign them up for a skills assessment prior to the start of the program so that they begin in the appropriate class level for their skill set. Please email Skating School Lead Candice Clifford at cclifford@therinks.com to schedule time for a 20-minute assessment.
Personal skates, quad or inline are HIGHLY recommended, as rental skates are limited in size and availability.
