April 29, Phoenix started a "learn to skate" program geared toward proficiency in hockey. Again, the program is intended for ages 4 and up, but I called and left a message about enrolling Phoenix. He had the desire to skate this winter, I just didn't know what to teach him. He figured out how to stand up on his own this winter and I figured that is was a good start for this program. They had skating twice a week for eight weeks for a duration of one hour.
The first lesson was hard because, Phoenix wanted me on the ice with him... hehehe... that would have been funny more than anything. With 3 adult coaches and a smattering of other volunteers (mostly high school hockey players), a large number of kids learn to skate, fall, and manipulate hockey equipment. This was Phoenix's 3rd lesson and he is practicing pushing a chair to get his balance figured out. During the 5th week he figured out his balance, and we bought him hockey "shorts" (padding) and a stick to provide further motivation. He wouldn't put on hockey gloves at the store so we kept him in regular gloves, which he would take off about half way into class time. Eventually we borrowed a pair from friends that were already somewhat broken in glove and Phoenix kept those on during class for the last two weeks. Unfortunately, I did not remember to take pictures later in lessons, but he learned to "skate" with no chair, stand up wearing the hockey shorts, and hit the hockey puck. It was a good program to prepare him for this winter to have fun on the ice.
