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Learn to Skate / Beginning Hockey

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All players must have a current USA Hockey number before registering for a KOHA program

Learn to Skate

Kalamazoo’s original and best Learn to Skate program is back with two sessions (one in the fall, one in the winter) before the end of the season. KOHA’s Learn to Skate program was designed and implemented by a Western Michigan University graduate student with a hockey and education background. Thousands of young people have learned to skate with KOHA. KOHA Learn to Skate is open to girls and boys ages 5 and up*, whether they have an interest in playing hockey or not.
*(Your skater should be turning 5 by Dec. 31st of the year in which they want to participate in our Learn To Skate. If you have a preschooler interested in learning to skate, please visit our partner, The Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association and check out their options for children ages 3-5.)

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR LEARN TO SKATE: Skaters must have a helmet, skates, and winter gloves or mittens for Learn To Skate. 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 program leader. Over the course of the one-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 1

Session 1 begins Saturday October 12th 2024 and runs through Sunday, November 10th, 2025

5 weekends - 10 sessions on the ice - Saturday AND Sunday mornings (not one or the other).

LOCATION: WINGS WEST ICE ARENA

COST: $120

LEARN TO SKATE 2

Session 2 begins Saturday January 5th and runs through Saturday, February 22th, 2024

8 weekends - 8 sessions on the ice - Saturday mornings  ONLY

LOCATION: WINGS WEST ICE ARENA

COST: $120


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.

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.

AGE:
Recommended to be five (5) years old by December 31, 2023; younger players may participate with advanced approval by the program director.

WHEN:
DATES FOR 2024-25: December 7th - February 22nd (Saturdays AND Sundays)

BOTH Saturdays and Sundays. 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 West (5076 Sports Drive, Kalamazoo) - just off of 9th Street in Oshtemo.

or Wings Event Center ( 3600 Vanrick, Kalamazoo MI) - just off of Sprinkle Rd Kalamazoo

COST: $485.00

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

Beginning Hockey:

Hockey skaters will need the following equipment by their first practice .

  • 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
  • Mouthguard

Note: KOHA has "One Goal" hockey equipment available for rent by Beginning Hockey players, depending on availability, first come first first serve. These sets of equipment exclude skates, a helmet and a stick. Please check with the office staff for more details.

Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association

MISSION AND VISION

The mission of the Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (K.O.H.A.) is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for youth of all skill levels to learn, develop, and excel in the sport of hockey. We strive to instill a lifelong love of the game and promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership among our players. We pride ourselves on providing age appropriate player development and skill-appropriate coaching.

KOHA exists to offer a premium, affordable opportunity to learn the game of hockey for players in our organization. Through high-quality coaching, training, and competition, we aim to help our athletes reach their full potential on and off the ice. Our ultimate goal is to produce well-rounded, confident, and skilled hockey players who will be successful at all levels of the game

The KOHA Office is located at Wings West Ice Arena

5076 Sports Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
269.349.7825
info@koha.com