Learn to Skate / Beginning Hockey
Pictured: Nick Bootland (Head Coach, K Wings) & Jeff Blashill (Head Coach, Grand Rapids Griffins) & their sons
Photo courtesy: John Gilroy
Equipment: KOHA has sets of basic protective equipment available for rent, first come - first served. Skaters must have a certified hockey helmet, skates & winter gloves or mittens. Knee and elbow protection is strongly suggested.
What your child will learn: KOHA begins with teaching skaters how to stand up and fall down. Skaters are divided into groups of about 10, with an adult volunteer assisting KOHA’s experienced paid instructors. Over the 8-1 hour sessions of the program, skaters will learn forward gliding and skating, backwards skating, hockey stops, left to right and right to left turns and front to back and back to front turns. Proper (efficient) skating technique is emphasized.
LEARN TO SKATE SESSION 1 (Saturdays and Sundays; 10am; Wings Stadium Complex)
2013/14 DATES AND COSTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
Cost: TBA
LEARN TO SKATE SESSION 2 (Saturdays ONLY; Wings Stadium Complex)
2014 DATES AND COSTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
Cost: TBA
If you have any questions on the Learn to Skate Program please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (269) 349-7825.
Players must register on line with USA Hockey (Free for skaters 6 and under) prior to registering with KOHA for either Learn To Skate or Beginning Hockey.
BEGINNING HOCKEY
KOHA Beginning Hockey Program is the second part of a two-part program designed to teach your child the basic skills of ICE HOCKEY. In Beginning Hockey, your child can continue to improve upon skating skills and learn hockey basics. Beginning Hockey runs from January through March.
This program generally follows the Learn to Skate Program and is recommended before entering our House League or Travel Hockey programs. Over 80 boys and girls annually participate in this program.
Why should your child participate? Skating is fun and easy; it improves balance, hand-to-eye coordination and strength. Skating compliments other sports, and is beneficial to girls and boys alike. The program is designed to allow children to develop skills and self-confidence at their own pace in an atmosphere of positive encouragement.
DETAILS:
AGE:
Recommended to be five (5) years old by December 31, 2013; younger players may participate with advanced approval by the program director.
WHEN:
BOTH Saturdays and Sundays. 2013/14 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON. One 60-minute session both days. Due to the size of our program in recent years and the limited ice availability, we have to limit our program to skaters 11 and younger. Older players are recommended to join House C.
(Beginning Hockey sessions/ice times will vary according to team assignments.)
WHERE:
Wings Stadium Complex
COST:
2013/14 COSTS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Beginning Hockey:
Hockey skaters will need the following equipment by their first practice in December 2013.
- Certified hockey helmet
- Shin guards (tape ones or Velcro strapped)
- Elbow pads
- Protective cup
- Hockey skates
- Hockey gloves
- Shoulder pads
- Garter belt or hockey shorts
- Hockey pants
- Hockey stick
- Neck guard
Note: KOHA has "One Goal" hockey equipment available for rent by Beginning Hockey players, depending on availability, first come first first serve. This is a full set of equipment, excluding skates and a stick. Please check with the office staff for more details.