Power Skating Camps for an oldie guy

[dayroc 0]

Hey guys,

I did a search, there was some information but not the kind i'm going to spin off into.

I'm 27 (so i'm not going to play pro or anything) and i'm playing in 2-3 beer league nights. I've been mostly playing in E - D Level (in toronto), and sometimes i would be a call up for a C level beer league team. I've only really started playing in C level full time last season and i'm getting frustrated as i can't seem to out skate anyone anymore, coming from being one of the top guys on my D/E level teams; i almost feel like i'm recreational skating when playing on my C night.

That being said, i was wondering if it would be worth while to enroll in a power skating camp such as LauraStamms (it's like a 3 day camp) or something along those lines?

Do you guys have any feedback? Any other kind of good power skating camps in the Toronto area that you guys can recommend?

And the most important question, Am i too old to do those kind of camps? Would it be embarrassing that someone like me who isn't going anywhere in Hockey but just wants to improve on his skating at a camp like this? I would feel kind of strange.

[flyers10 57]

I'm 39 and I'd highly recommend it. If you want to be able to move up to C regularly or maybe even B one day improving your skating will be the best way. I've taken some weekly powerskating classes and they are loaded with kids but usually there is 2-3 adults too. Don't let it bother you. It really helps with technique and will improve your game quickly. I know for me it has made me more confidant on the ice and been able to be in better position since I can get from A to B quicker while still having more energy late in the game. Also some rinks have adults skills classes weekly where you do some powerskating drills, passing, shooting, etc. See if any of those are nearby too.

[badger_14 601]

I definitely recommend it. I skated at a couple of different camps when I was 21/22 - both times, I was the only adult there. But, even the kids there were working basically on their own individual skating skills - same as me. The coaches at both Laura Stamm and Robby Glantz were pretty accommodating - I was still very new to skating, so they had me working in the same groups as the 6-8 year old set, but, again - it's all about individual skills, so it wasn't really bothersome. I didn't find it embarrassing, particularly. In fact the younger kids were actually a hell of an enthusiasm boost sometimes... The coaches (your mileage may vary) tend to understand that every skater has individual things they need to work on - if a skater feels they need to go slower and practice their technique more carefully, they're good with that. Or, if you feel your technique is good and you want to amp it up, they're fine with that, too. TL;DR: You're there to improve your own skating, for your own goals (whatever they may be), and the coaches are there to give you (and the other skaters) the tools to do that. I found my experiences at both camps extremely valuable for me in improving my skating, if I could afford it I'd definitely take another, similar camp or course.

I don't have any Toronto-specific advice, but I would definitely recommend either Laura Stamm or Robby Glantz. Their clientele is mostly kids (obviously), but they do accept all ages and in my experience have been well-run and organized (in the Boston area, at least). If you can, if there's an earlier session of the camp or class you want to enroll in, maybe drop by the rink and watch for a little while, see how it's run, maybe see if you can talk to one of the coaches afterward.

[Chadd 916]

If it helps you enjoy the game, it's money well spent.

[dayroc 0]

Cool thanks for the advice.

I need to brush up on my technique for sure.

I've been hearing good things about laura stamms, they will be having a camp next july for a few days, i might take a look into that.

i was more "embarrassed" about me being the only adult there. I guess i have hang-ups about that....

[GoBucky 0]

Its absolutely worth it, IMO. Anything that improves your skating is going to make you a better player. Last year for X-Mas, my girlfriend bought me the book, "Power Skating" by Laura Stamm and reading it helped me understand skating much better and implementing the theories in that book has helped to improve my skating.

[nickerjones 8]

I Last year for X-Mas, my girlfriend bought me the book, "Power Skating" by Laura Stamm and reading it helped me understand skating much better and implementing the theories in that book has helped to improve my skating.

I just found this book on ebay for 3 bucks.... There are no camps close to me in Oklahoma, so hopefully I can learn some stuff from the book. Thanks for mentioning it.

[biff44 0]

I like the way you say "oldie guy" for 27! Hah, wait till you are REALLY old!

Still, unless you are very flexible you might want to skip the power skating clinics. They put a lot of strain on the tendons and ligaments, especially the hamstrings. At that ripe old age, I would instead be trying to get individual skating instruction on the dynamics of a powerful stride! That you can use at any age!

[dayroc 0]

I like the way you say "oldie guy" for 27! Hah, wait till you are REALLY old!

Still, unless you are very flexible you might want to skip the power skating clinics. They put a lot of strain on the tendons and ligaments, especially the hamstrings. At that ripe old age, I would instead be trying to get individual skating instruction on the dynamics of a powerful stride! That you can use at any age!

Yea 27 isn't really that old.

i'm considering myself pretty athletic and reading the laurastamms.com clinic information - they seem to teach more on techniques than boot camp style training. I would only go to their camp if it was based mostly on technique as i believe i can do the boot camp stuff on my own.

that being said, it is the techniques that i'm lacking in, not conditioning.

[Chadd 916]

Cool thanks for the advice.

I need to brush up on my technique for sure.

I've been hearing good things about laura stamms, they will be having a camp next july for a few days, i might take a look into that.

i was more "embarrassed" about me being the only adult there. I guess i have hang-ups about that....

Look at the bright side, if you pick up some useful information, it's going to be the other guys being shamed. Another option would be a private lesson or two with a powerskating instructor. I would imagine there are a lot of those in the Toronto area.

[kenneth 5]

Look at the bright side, if you pick up some useful information, it's going to be the other guys being shamed. Another option would be a private lesson or two with a powerskating instructor. I would imagine there are a lot of those in the Toronto area.

For the guys that have been in her camp, would it be good for someone who wants to start fresh from the ground up? i'm about dayroc's age and started roller hockey on the streets and tennis courts first for years before i could get into ice (too expensive).

[Chadd 916]

For the guys that have been in her camp, would it be good for someone who wants to start fresh from the ground up? i'm about dayroc's age and started roller hockey on the streets and tennis courts first for years before i could get into ice (too expensive).

A lot of NHL players and officials work on powerskating in the off season, it can benefit anyone. The newer you are to the sport the less likely you are to have bad habits that you need to break.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

Cool thanks for the advice.

I need to brush up on my technique for sure.

I've been hearing good things about laura stamms, they will be having a camp next july for a few days, i might take a look into that.

i was more "embarrassed" about me being the only adult there. I guess i have hang-ups about that....

I would say it's worth it. I was the only adult at 25 (other than one 18 year old) a few years ago at a Sean Skinner stick handling and power skating camp (they told me it was for adults as well... I guess they will take anyone's money regardless of age ). The rest were all like 14 years old. Once you get into the camp everyone is the same. It was the hardest I've ever skated. If I did it again, I would have prepared before to get my legs stronger so I could focus more on the technique. Since then I've improved my leg strength and can do some of the drills that were difficult then. Also it would be good if you could practice the drills regularly after the camp so you don't lose it.

[chk hrd 164]

If you have competant instructors in your area weigh the cost of a camp against thier private or semi private lessons. You usually get alot more for the money. I have a couple of problems with camps; you only get instruction for a very limited time and then you are expected to do what they showed you on your own. If what you are doing is wrong (but you think it is right) then you are just wasting your time. You need someone to keep you in good form. Alot of camps are multiple hours long or take all day. That means usually there is standing around (wasted) time. With a private instructor you get worked hard in an hour or less. You also have the same person watching you and keeping track of your progress. They will get to know what you need, can and can't do so they can adjust your training. There is nothing worse than an instructor who expects you to do a drill that is way above your level...it does nothing for anyone.

[trtaylor 3]

I am an older guy and several rinks near me offer weekly power skating clinics. When I go, I am usually the only adult. But the kids seem to get a kick out of me being there. And the coaches are very accommodating.

But, I don't go quite as often as I used to. My time is better spent at public skating practicing what I have learned in the power skating clinics. I reached the conclusion I don't need to keep dropping $20 on a one hour power skating class only to realize my agility sucks because I can't do backwards crossunder moves at game speed. Better to drop $7 for 2 hours of ice time to practice. Now that the kids are in school, it is not uncommon for me to have the entire sheet to myself. Or sharing it with only one or two people.

Anyway, I agree with the above posters, if you haven't taken any power skating classes, by all means do so.

[regularjoe 1]

I agree with Chadd, see if you can find a local instructor. Not saying not to do the camps (if you have the coin, I'd go for it), but getting feedback every week is tremendously helpful.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

I did the Laura Stamm program in Oakville or Burlington (I think that's where they held the Toronto camp) a few years ago. At the time it was run by a guy named Steve McLennan. who has since moved out to the East coast. I'm not sure if he still runs the Laura Stamm franchise in Canada or not, but if he does, he is very good.

Then, they had a camp specifically designed for adults. It was a couple of hours for 3-days in a row, but I can say that it was awesome. I have never skated faster before, or since. Teacher-to-student ratio was very high and they really knew their stuff. They weren't just people who were good hockey players who decided they could be teaching power-skating. By the 3rd day I could not believe how fast I was going.

It was money well spent. After the final skate we could barely walk from our car to the bar, our legs were so sore. I'd definitely recommend buying the book and maybe the video before attending.

[dayroc 0]

Look at the bright side, if you pick up some useful information, it's going to be the other guys being shamed. Another option would be a private lesson or two with a powerskating instructor. I would imagine there are a lot of those in the Toronto area.

I'm not ready for private lessons yet, but i dont think i would want to drop the $$ just yet on that. But i'll keep that in mind.

I would say it's worth it. I was the only adult at 25 (other than one 18 year old) a few years ago at a Sean Skinner stick handling and power skating camp (they told me it was for adults as well... I guess they will take anyone's money regardless of age ). The rest were all like 14 years old. Once you get into the camp everyone is the same. It was the hardest I've ever skated. If I did it again, I would have prepared before to get my legs stronger so I could focus more on the technique. Since then I've improved my leg strength and can do some of the drills that were difficult then. Also it would be good if you could practice the drills regularly after the camp so you don't lose it.

Awesome!

I am an older guy and several rinks near me offer weekly power skating clinics. When I go, I am usually the only adult. But the kids seem to get a kick out of me being there. And the coaches are very accommodating.

But, I don't go quite as often as I used to. My time is better spent at public skating practicing what I have learned in the power skating clinics. I reached the conclusion I don't need to keep dropping $20 on a one hour power skating class only to realize my agility sucks because I can't do backwards crossunder moves at game speed. Better to drop $7 for 2 hours of ice time to practice. Now that the kids are in school, it is not uncommon for me to have the entire sheet to myself. Or sharing it with only one or two people.

Anyway, I agree with the above posters, if you haven't taken any power skating classes, by all means do so.

I'm not talking about power skating boot camp style classes, i dont think i would like to do that. I just need technique classes.

I did the Laura Stamm program in Oakville or Burlington (I think that's where they held the Toronto camp) a few years ago. At the time it was run by a guy named Steve McLennan. who has since moved out to the East coast. I'm not sure if he still runs the Laura Stamm franchise in Canada or not, but if he does, he is very good.

Then, they had a camp specifically designed for adults. It was a couple of hours for 3-days in a row, but I can say that it was awesome. I have never skated faster before, or since. Teacher-to-student ratio was very high and they really knew their stuff. They weren't just people who were good hockey players who decided they could be teaching power-skating. By the 3rd day I could not believe how fast I was going.

It was money well spent. After the final skate we could barely walk from our car to the bar, our legs were so sore. I'd definitely recommend buying the book and maybe the video before attending.

Awesome! sounds good. This is actually what i want to hear.

thanks for all the replies.

I'll be going to the Detroit clinic with another person on this forum, anyway wanna join ???? MSH meet? haha

[trtaylor 3]

I'm not talking about power skating boot camp style classes, i dont think i would like to do that. I just need technique classes.

The weekly clinics I have attended are not "boot camp" style. Typically it is an hour of edge work, starts & stops and agility drills. Stuff like C-cuts, inside edge 180's, outside edge 180's, V starts, cross over starts, forward and backward cross overs and pivots. Technique work. Typically there are 5-6 kids, plus me in the class.

An hour of power skating clinic costs $20. A private hour with an instructor costs $60. For me it's a no brainer, especially if I dedicate some time to practice in between. Maybe I am lucky to have these classes offered at nearby rinks. But, you should at least inquire at your rinks.

[dayroc 0]

The weekly clinics I have attended are not "boot camp" style. Typically it is an hour of edge work, starts & stops and agility drills. Stuff like C-cuts, inside edge 180's, outside edge 180's, V starts, cross over starts, forward and backward cross overs and pivots. Technique work. Typically there are 5-6 kids, plus me in the class.

An hour of power skating clinic costs $20. A private hour with an instructor costs $60. For me it's a no brainer, especially if I dedicate some time to practice in between. Maybe I am lucky to have these classes offered at nearby rinks. But, you should at least inquire at your rinks.

Hmm interesting. I'll check that out.

Thanks for the info.

Has anyone else done the laura stamms clinic?

[BlackIce 1]

Great Thread and excellent advice. I am 41 and am looking for a power skating class in the GTA that accommodates adults as it might be a little uncomfortable to be skating with a bunch of teenagers. I did think about the Laura Stamm clinic a few years back but thought it would be intimidating with a bunch of hotshot teens. I know that Canlan Etobicoke has hockey classes with power skating. Are they any good?

[mug25 2]

Wish there was a camp in Florida.