Learn to skate on the Isle of Wight

Planet Ice Ryde organises ice skating lessons (Galaxy Gliders) on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Lessons cost £48.00 for an six-week course. Contact Planet Ice for details (see Link to right, or phone 01983 615155). The rink runs one session of lessons on Saturday mornings and one session on Sunday mornings.

Newcomers are advised that learning inevitably involves falling over. It can take longer than the first lesson to find your sense of balance and develop confidence – so stick at it! Remember all those celebrities on Dancing on Ice have been skating intensively for at least three months before appearing on the show.

Taking it further

Skaters can receive individual tuition from the ice rink’s coaches. The coaches can provide private individual and group tuition. Individual private tuition, which usually takes place during patch ice sessions, costs £7.00 for a 15-minute lesson.

THE COACHES

Our resident coaches are head coach Terri Smith (nee Fleming), Matthew Russell, and Thomas Eklund.

TERRI SMITH
Terri Smith (nee Fleming) was born here on the Isle of Wight and trained in figure skating and ice dance at Ryde Arena. She started skating at the age of 12 and turned professional at 18.

During her professional show career, Terri travelled the world performing in ice shows in England, Europe, China and America, skating for Stageworks World Wide Productions and Holiday on Ice.

Terri completed her coaching qualifications mentored by Katie Nyman, the former head coach at Ryde. She holds her level two recognised National Coaching Certificate Programme qualification from NISA and is a member of the British Iceskating Teachers Association (BITA).

Terri would like to share her skating experiences with skaters on the Island, bringing back the fun and enjoyment she received from the rink.

MATTHEW RUSSELL

Matthew was born on the Isle of Wight and started skating at Ryde Arena at the age of 9. He began his career with coach Kim Griffiths and then moved to Anita Curtis, who trained him up to national level.

During his competitive career Matthew has skated at events across the UK, winning various competitions and medals. He skated for Great Britain in the Aarhus cup in Denmark, and competed in the British championships in 2002. After having a break of about two years he has now returned to skating as a NISA qualified level 2 coach, and was mentored by our very own Terri Fleming.

Matthew has also attended various seminars around the UK with guest coaches as Kathy Casey and Brian Orser (Olympic/world competitors) and Janet Champion (World’s top spin technician). He hopes to pass on all that he has learned throughout the years to Isle of Wight skaters of the future.

TOM EKLUND

Born on the Island, Tom has been skating since the age of 7 when he started visiting Ryde Arena with his school as an after school activity. He moved on to group and private lessons with original coach Kim Griffiths to complete his learn to skate grades, and later took lessons with Anita Curtis.

Competing in his first competition here on the Island in 1996, Tom went on to compete nationwide as well as attending seminars run by guest coaches such as Kathy Casey, Janet Champion and Brian Orser, and getting the chance to meet top British skaters such as Matthew Parr, Elliot Hilton, John Hamer, Jenna McCorkell and Danielle Guppy.

In September 2004 he was invited to skate for top designer Peter Jensen at London Fashion week, alongside Island skater Kirstin Ginger. The event received full media write-ups with pictures, an incredible feat considering that 160 fashion shows took place during that week.

Tom, who started working towards his coaching qualifications in 2002, has always had aspirations to be a coach and dreams of one day being a level 5 master coach with pupils skating at World and Olympic standard, although would just like people to come and enjoy the thrill of skating for the moment.

He grew up training and competing with good friend Matt Russell. Tom was mentored by head coach Terri Smith. He believes that the coaching staff here on the Island are truly united towards the progression of the sport.

Tom recently joined the newly formed Vectis Tigers ice hockey team giving him an insight into a different side of the sport of ice skating letting him see how the importance of basic skating skills and fitness are of universal importance.

Tom can be contacted through the rink or on 07512 569798.