Information to prepare your skater for class
Welcome to River Blades Skating School
Summer 2025
Procedures & Guidelines
Please read today to ensure you understand the procedures and
what equipment is needed before our first day of classes.
Monday Classes July 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug. 4, 11, 18
3:30-4:00 pm Specialty Hockey Edge & Power Skating Class full ice (Age 8+)
4:00-5:00 pm Specialty Class for Figure Skaters-edges/turns/innovative moves/interpretive
5:10-5:40 pm Figure Skaters dry land off-ice spin board & stretch class
Wednesday Classes July 9, 16, 23, 30, Aug. 6, 13, 20
4:40-5:10 pm Figure skaters dry land off ice jumps class
5:30-6:00 pm Figure skaters jump & spin class
+6:00-6:30 pm Learn to Skate #1, #2, Alpha (foundational classes)
+6:30-7:00 pm Pre-Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Adv. Mini-Mite, (foundational & advanced classes)
7:00-7:30 pm Competition team practice
Note-competition teams prepping for ISI World’s: July 9, 16, 23 practice ends @ 8:00 pm from 8:00-8:30 pm we will have competition simulation ice where skaters can practice their competition solos/duets. Skaters will need to sign up for competition simulation with Amanda on google sheets. This is not available to register for on our website.
+Learn to Skate 1-4, Foundational classes Pre-alpha-Delta, Mini-Mites, Hockey Edge & Power Wednesday 30 minute skating classes
Inclement Weather follow this link for any class cancellations
Inclement weather link
What should my skater wear for skates & attire during class?
MN Dept. of Health Covid Guildlines
Class Prep & Confirmation email
Upcoming Events
Dear Skating Families,
We’re excited to welcome you to our Summer 2025 Monday & Wednesday programming at River Blades Skating School! Classes are held at the Hastings Civic Arena and begin the week of July 7.
Below is everything you need to know to prepare for your skater’s first day.
🕒 Class Schedule & Details
📅 Monday Schedule: July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18
3:30–4:00 PM – 🏒 Specialty Hockey Edge & Power Skating
4:00–5:00 PM – ⛸️ Specialty Figure Skating Class
Focus: Edges, Turns, Innovative Moves, Interpretive Skills
5:10–5:40 PM – 🤸♀️ Figure Skaters Dryland: Spin Board & Stretch Class
📅 Wednesday Schedule: July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20
4:40–5:10 PM – 🏋️♀️ Figure Skaters Dryland: Off-Ice Jumps Class
Please wear sneakers.
5:30–6:00 PM – ⛸️ Figure Skaters Jump & Spin Class
6:00–6:30 PM – 🧊 Learn to Skate #1, #2, Alpha
Foundational Classes
6:30–7:00 PM – 🧊 Pre-Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Advanced Mini-Mite
Foundational and Advanced Classes
7:00–7:30 PM – 🌟 Competition Team Try-It Class (July 9, 16, and 23)
Open to anyone interested in joining our team skating program. Come experience what team skating is all about.💵 Cost for July 9, 16, and 23 Try-It Sessions: $50.00
In order to keep costs down for our teams we accept check or Venmo for team payments @Amanda-Truax-1 please text message Amanda if your skater is interested in trying the Team Try It class.
7:00–8:00 PM – 🔁 Team Practice (July 9, 16, and 23)
For current team members competing at ISI World’s.
7:00–7:30/7:45 PM – 🔁 Team Practice (July 30, August 6, 13, and 20)
New routines for the 2025–2026 season will be taught during these sessions.
8:00–8:30 PM – 🎭 Competition Simulation for ISI World’s Soloists and Duets
✅ Skaters must sign up in advance via the Google Sheet with Amanda.
Note: This session is not available for registration on our website.
All skate school skaters are welcome to return and watch.
Let’s create a supportive audience for our competitors!
⭐ New Team Members: Summer Practice Info
If your skater is interested in joining the River Blades Competition Team for the 2025–2026 season, we will be offering a summer training schedule for new team members to begin learning foundational skills and routines.
New Team Member Practice Schedule – July & August 2025:
Wed. July 9 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
Wed. July 16 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
Wed. July 23 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
Wed. July 30 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
Wed. August 6 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
Wed. August 13 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
Wed. August 20 – 7:00–7:30 PM – Hastings
💲 Cost: $115.00 for the full summer session
To help keep costs down, we accept Venmo, cash, or check for team fees.
Venmo: @Amanda-Truax-1
📝 Please let Amanda know by July 7 if your skater will be joining the team.
New team skaters will focus on building core team skills during July sessions.
All skaters will begin learning brand-new routines for the 2025–2026 competitive season in August.
🗓️ Fall/Winter 2025–2026 Team Schedule will be released soon.
We typically hold team practices on Saturday mornings—stay tuned for more information.
🎉 Want to watch our teams compete?
Come cheer on our skaters at one of our summer competitions:
Congrats HastingsTeam River Blades our school/rink won the competition overall TEAM TROPHY at the Summer Breeze Competition held June 27–29 , Woog Arena – South St. Paul, MN. Congrats to all individual and team skaters that competed.
July 24–27 – ISI-Ice Sport Industry World Championships
National Sports Center Super Rink – Blaine, MN
This year’s competition will feature over 800 competitors of all skill levels representing 46 rink teams from 16 states and the Philippines, with ages ranging from 1 to 66.
No charge for spectators
🧾 Preparing for the First Day
✅ Please review your:
Skater’s name
Class time
Class color
Instructor
Ice Map for Wednesday Classes
Your skater’s name tag color will correspond to the class color on the placards placed on the ice.
At the start of class, your skater should skate to the correct placard when their group is called.
✅ Visit our Parent’s Corner for full details, including:
Ice map with class colors, times, and instructors
Guidelines on attire, skate types, class flow, and rink entry/exit
🧒 For Learn to Skate #1 & Pre-Alpha Skaters:
Please arrive with skates on and meet your instructor on the rubber mats for the first few weeks.
Instructors will teach how to fall and get up safely before taking the ice.
We may use the lobby area during this time — please keep all walkways clear.
👨👩👧 Parent Guidelines:
Please watch from the bleachers only.
No parents allowed in the players’ boxes or on the ice.
🚪 Locker Room Use
To help keep the lobby clear, all skaters are asked to put on skates in the locker rooms.
We’re looking forward to an exciting summer session! If you have any questions or need help finding your skater’s class, don’t hesitate to reach out.
See you soon at the rink!
Warmly,
The River Blades Skating School Team
Amanda Truax
Owner/Director
📧 RiverBladesSkatingSchool@gmail.com
📞 763-232-5195
🌐 www.RiverBladesSkating.com
🔗 Class Info & Directory
See you on the ice,
The River Blades Skating School Team
All group lesson information will be posted in the GROUP LESSON BLOG portion of our website. http://www.riverbladesskating.com/group-lessons-blog
Preparing for the First Day of classes:
For important details about upcoming dates, attire, skates, class flow, and guidelines, please visit our *parents' corner group lesson page: check out the color coded class ice map on our website. The ice map includes your class color, class time, and name of your instructors
http://www.riverbladesskating.com/group-lessons-blog
Parents please enjoy your skaters lesson from the bleachers and be available in the event your skater needs to use the restroom.
Thank you for being a part of our Summer 2025 session of skating lessons.
We are excited you will be joining us. Please read the following information in order to be prepared for our classes at River Blades Skating School.
The first few weeks of class your instructor will be reviewing skills from the previous level as well as introducing the new skills in the level you have registered for. If your skater needs to move up or down a level your instructor will inform me and then we will contact you for a class change
Private lessons
If your skater is interested in private lessons with our adult or high school instructors please contact Director Amanda to schedule. Private lessons take place during “open freestyle” ice time.
Ice skating lessons-Attire
Purchasing your own skates? Read our blog post on what skates are best for Beginners
What skates are the best for beginner figure skaters by Riedell Skates
Class Attire-Skates, Bike or Hockey Helmut, Mittens, Flexible skating pants (no jeans) Warm jacket.
Hockey gloves & breezers are not recommended for LTS 1-2 classes.
Need Skates? You can rent at the Hastings Civic Arena first come first serve $4 rental fee per week.
Note: Hockey Skates with the rocked blade are not recommended for beginner skaters. A rounded blade is difficult for a beginner to balance on & will cause unnecessary falling -a skate with a flatter blade & a toe pick are much easier to balance on & learn in. A hockey skate is easy to transfer over to especially after foundation skills have been mastered. Double bladed Figure Skates are not recommended. If you already have hockey skates please use them. Rental skates are available first come first serve $4 per week, call the arena for availability of rental skates.
How to care for your skates
Where can I purchase & sharpen skates? We only recommend these dealers.
Riedell Skates is River Blades Skating School official skate brand-you can purchase Riedell at these local retailers;
Strauss Skates 1751 Cope Ave E. St. Paul, MN 55109 651-770-1344
St. Croix Valley Rec Center Skate Shop Stillwater Ice Arena-1675 Market Dr Stillwater, MN 651-430-2601
Call and ask for a fitting appointment with Doug or Andy
St. Croix Valley Rec Center Skate Shop
Westwood Sports 14805 Granada Ave, Apple Valley MN 55124 952-431-5590
For beginner skates ask for Riedell Beginner Skates range from $100-$150.00
For more information about Riedell Skates made in Redwing, MN please visit their website.
Riedell Skates
Competitive Figure Skaters we recommend a professional skate sharpener sharpen your blades.
We recommend Fred Bartick he is the BEST in the Twin Cities-he sharpens out of his home in Bloomington.
Fred Bartick TEXT MESSAGE Fred’s wife Kim will take appointments via text message scheduling
TEXT 763-325-3402
Arrival to the Hastings Civic Arena
Learn to Skate #1 classes meet your teacher on the rubber mats to learn how to fall and get up properly before taking the ice the first two weeks of class. Parents please make space for the skaters and teacher to move on the rubber mats. After a few minutes your skater will take the ice with their instructor.
Learn to Skate #1 classes-please practice this at home before your first class and after the first few weeks of class.
Home work for LTS #1 classes before class begins.
We would like you to do this homework before the first few weeks of classes. Especially the first week, it will really help with your skaters balance once they take the ice if it’s their first time.
If you have the ability to try your skaters skates on at home with blade covers to protect flooring, furniture, and any hands, toes that may be nearby- practice having your skater stand in their skates feet hip width apart hands in front slightly as if your hands were pressing down on a table in front of you, then have your skater touch their toes with knees bent (deep squat) leaning forwards, the as they are touching their toes have them fall on to their favorite side with the hip catching the fall first and the palms reaching to that side-do not fall on to the knees, to get back up go to hands and knees like a puppy, place one foot under the hip, have skater put their palms on the ground, push hips into the air and then place other foot under other hip, touch toes as the skater is squatting be sure feet are right under the hips not too wide, then have the skater slowly stand up with hands slightly in front as if your skater had their hands pressing on a table in front of them. Practice lifting a foot and placing that lifted foot next to the leg they are standing on-similar to a flamingo, balance in place for a few seconds then try the other side, do this repeatedly, on each foot. Then move on to practicing on small marches in place. These small exercises can help your skater be prepared for the first day of class, and for weeks to follow. Be sure to cover your skaters blades with blade covers or skate guards since they are sharp and can damage flooring, furniture, fingers and toes.
What to expect the first day of class
Be sure your skaters equipment fits properly and the blades on the skates are sharpened properly.
If you need to rent skates be sure to arrive 30 minutes before the start of class-rental skates are $4.50 payable to the Hastings Civic Arena. First come first serve.
Figure Skaters we recommend getting skates sharpened by a professionals at Westwood Sports or Strauss Skates, or Fred Bartick for higher end figure skate sharpening-please contact Amanda if you need his phone number.
Arrive at the arena 10-15 minutes before your scheduled class-pick up your name tag on arrival at the skate school desk, return your name tag at the end of class. We occasionally attach newsletters to your skaters name tag. If your name tag isn’t returned each week we may miss communicating with you.
Your name tag will have a class color, & lesson time listed. Please leave your name tag at the front desk after class. Stop at the skate school desk each week for any announcements or updates.
Be sure to check your name tag for your class color, class time, skating level, & instructor.
Your skater will have a 30 minute lesson with an instructor. Learn to Skate #1-the first two weeks of class the instructor will meet your skater on the rubber mats to teach your skater how to stand in their skates, fall down, and balance on the rubber mats before your skater takes the ice for their class.
Where do I put my skates on?
Once you check in at the skate school table all skaters will proceed to the locker room to put skates on.
Be sure to place skates on the correct feet and tie skates snug. If your skater is brand new to skating have them put their skates on at home with blade protectors and walk on the carpet to get used to the balance of the skates.
Where are the locker rooms? Please check with our front desk staff on the designated area for skate tying. The locker rooms are directly behind the wall behind the office.
How do I find my teacher? (1) week prior to class we will post an ice map with your skaters class color, instructor and level here. Your skaters name tag will have a corresponding color.
Be sure to check your skaters class time, and color before sending them out for classes.
Each class has a class color and your name tag is a certain color.
For example if you have a green name tag you will skate to the area of the rink that has the green color board hanging on the plexi glass. Keep in mind you will skate to that color when it is your class time. Please be sure to check your name tag for the class time before you send your skater to their class.
Parents please help us in getting our attention if your skater has not gotten to class or if you arrive late. Your skaters class time is listed on the name tag. Bring your name tag each week. Return name tags the last day of classes.
Parents please do not leave the building.
If your skater needs to use the bathroom we will look to you to take child to use the facilities.
If your skater needs you to re-tie their skates we will look to you to help with this.
Please meet your skater at the ice door at the end of class to check in with them.
For the safety of the skaters privacy please no photos or videos of our classes.
Evaluations These classes will be evaluated the last day of class.
Learn to Skate 1, 2, 3, 4 Pre-Alpha, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Mini-Mites
Jump & Spin classes & Hockey Power Skating classes are NOT evaluated.
Please attend your last class to receive your evaluation form.
Attendance at every class is important in moving up through the levels.
ISI Membership
Pre-Alpha through Delta skaters if you want your test registered with the Ice Sports Industry National Office you will need to get an ISI individual membership from the ISI Website, send Director Amanda your ISI membership number, pay the nominal fee to Amanda to register the passing test and you will receive a badge for the passing test. Amanda receives the mailings of badges from ISI and will present them at the Spring Party Banquet. In order to compete at ISI Competitions you will need an ISI Membership Number and have your passing tests registered by Amanda in order to compete. Once your skater moves up to FS 1 you will need to book one-on-one private lessons to learn a routine and test with director Amanda.
Important Dates to remember
Stay up to date visit our website
Parents Corner Group Lesson Page
Figure Skaters LTS 4 & up Join our Hastings Figure Skating Teams
Meet new friends, have fun, and do what you love-Figure Skating!!!
Beginner through advanced team production & synchronized skating competition opportunities.
Please email director Amanda to learn more Riverbladesskatingschool@gmail.com
Award Winning Production & Ensemble Teams
What are team production numbers? At River Blades we strive to build our skaters self esteem and confidence through Figure Skating. Many skaters like to skate as a team before they take the next step in to competing as a solo skater in competition. River Blades has designed a program to build a skaters confidence through performing with a team. Team Production is a competition number designed keeping a theme in mind. This past few seasons we choreographed, performed and competed "Team Swing a 1940’s” style production theme, Team 50’s Soda Pop Shop theme, Trolls, Girl Power Disney Princesses, NYE Celebration, Schoolhouse, Vogue Celebrating Fashion, & Summer Surf Beach Party, the Incredibles, Jock Jams Sports Heroes, Scott Hamilton Cares Heroes of Hope lyrical on ice routine, Team Barbie & Team Good Morning America. .
We develop performance and acting skills as well as skating skills during our practices.
We compete three to four times per year as a team at local competitions.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOLLOW OUR PARENTS CORNER GROUP LESSON BLOG PAGE
Group Lesson Blog Link with Events & Updates
OUR INSTRUCTORS
River Blades has professional instructors teaching our group lesson classes.
River Blades houses instructors that are certified and trained under these nationally recognized organizations.
-ISI-Ice Sports Industry
-US Figure Skating
River Blades adult instructors have over 10-20 + years teaching experience. We also train junior instructors to assist in classes. All of our adult instructors have had competitive careers that required 8-10 years of training & testing under the Ice Sports Industry and/or US Figure Skating judging & testing system. We have several instructors that have had professional careers with Disney on Ice. We have instructors with experience as athletes and coaches in National, & International competitions. River Blades believes in bringing Hastings youth high quality instruction to build self esteem and confidence in our skaters. We hope you enjoy our instructors and our classes.
Private lessons are available.
Private lesson opportunities-Please speak to Amanda if you are interested in trying out a one-on-one private lesson with one of our Figure Skating Instructors, a little one-on-one goes a long way. Also if you are interested in doing competitions in the future starting a private lesson along side our group lesson program will benefit your skater tremendously. Please visit our website for private lesson pricing www.Riverbladesskating.com
Speak with Amanda to discuss private lesson opportunities for Hockey & Figure Skaters, there are opportunities to receive a private lesson on these days/times listed below.
*Open Freestyle Ice time is $10 per person payable to River Blades
-Public Skate Ice time check the Hastings Civic Arena website for open skate times.
- Open Freestyle is on the arena website & listed on our schedules page.
Hastings Civic Arena Schedule of Open Freestyle & Public Skate
Private lessons must be pre-paid, once lesson is reserved please respect our no cancellation policy,
Visit our website for private lesson pricing packages-online packages include ice fee. www.Riverbladesskating.com
Did you know River Blades offers an instructor mentorship program to empower our Hastings youth?
River Blades prides itself on offering a Junior Instructor & High School Instructor teaching volunteer program ages 10 + . Our Jr. & High School Instructors attend trainings throughout the season, shadow professional instructors, and assist in classes in order to gain experience in teaching skating skills, learning how a skating school operates.
Why join our Jr. & High School Instructor program?
-Gain valuable experience in teaching skating skills for future teaching opportunities within River Blades, and future job opportunities within the ice sports industry.
-Learn the value in helping and inspiring our local youth.
-A way to give back to the community is by volunteering our program offers this opportunity.
-We want to empower our youth to become a leader through ice sports.
-We want to build self esteem and confidence in our skaters through helping others learn.
-High School Instructors can earn an income by teaching in our program while attending High School &/or College.
One-on-One consultation
If you would like to book a one-on-one phone consultation with director Amanda to talk about a plan for your skater that is new to the sport, or you have questions about “how to best guide your skater through the sport” please visit the website to register for a one-on-one phone conversation.
RiverBladesSkatingSchool@gmail.com
Please visit www.Riverbladesskating.com and subscribe to our website to receive important updates & information.
Follow River Blades on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, our website, and HastingsNow.
Event photos use the hashtag #RiverBladesSkating & #RiverBladesSkatingSchool
We look forward to seeing you in class.
Thank you,
Amanda Truax
Building self esteem & confidence for life.
River Blades Skating School-Director
RiverBladesSkatingSchool@gmail.com
763-232-5195
