SkatewithKaren Summer School Participant Testimonials:
Karen takes the time to give individual tips/corrections. Those are really important.
We observed a big improvement in our son's skating skills in just one week.
My son's posture on the ice has improved significantly, and as a result his overall stability and agility have improved.
This is the best skating session we have taken.
Lots of one-on-one instruction and supportive encouragement, I am impressed with the approach and different techniques.
Excellent instructor to student ratio.
I was impressed by the quality and patience of instructors.
It is an excellent prepraratory programme before competitive tryouts.
My son's confidence in his own ability has grown. He already wants to come back next summer.
Coaches did a great job of focusing on the specific needs of each skater.
Sign-up goals listed on the nametags on skater jerseys were great. Report card is a great idea.
Pointers on improvements were great!
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Without a doubt, skating is THE #1 skill scouts look for. Having seen Karen put players through some of her skill-building drills, I can whole-heartedly recommend SkateWithKaren. It will unquestionably improve your skating ability and help develop that highly-prized pro skating stride.
André Roy
Ontario Hockey League Central Scout
"I want to thank you very much for the wonderful instructional skating session yesterday. I learned a couple of key things that will really help in the very near term. It was the best instructional skating session that I have ever had.
Here are the things that I liked about your program:
- you eliminated pucks from the equation allowing us to concentrate on the skating itself,
- you allowed enough time for repetition to allow us to and try and master one particular drill without moving on to something else before we had some “reasonable” proficiency with the one drill,
- you broke the movements down in terms of leg position, upper body position and weight distribution rather than just demonstrating things and expecting us to intuit what was required,
- you were positive and encouraging,
- it was a small group and everyone got individual attention, and we could actually hear you on the rink
In summary, I think you have a great program and you are a gifted teacher. I look forward to attending another one of your sessions."
Regards,
Ian Gibson
Adult Hockey Player
"Karen works with a group of 8-10 players on a weekly basis. She provides technical information to the players who can then work these techniques into their daily practice sessions.
Most players really do not know how to improve their skating. Most of the time, they just reinforce bad habits. Karen is able to identify their weaknesses, give them important feedback, and provide the necessary correction through the drills. The players then know what they need to improve upon. The players are very receptive to Karen's teaching.
Karen analyses the players' skating during the games. She then knows what they need to better perform in the game.
She comes thoroughly prepared with an in depth analysis of the players' skating techniques and necessary improvements.
Karen's approach is very thorough. She offers skating technique on a general level and then appropriate correction on an individual basis. This is not conditioning. It is skating technique and we find Karen to be very helpful to our program.
We feel that Karen offers an important dimension of skating technique that is most beneficial. "
Guy Lalonde
Head Coach
Hull Olympiques, QMJHL
I have been coaching hockey for many years now at both the house and competitive levels. Without a doubt, Karen's program has been a HUGE benefit to our players. I am regularly approached by parents who are just getting started in hockey and asked what they can do to help their children develop. My answer is: "Skate with Karen."
Obviously the ability to skate well is crucial to playing this game. What constantly amazes me is the fact that competitive hockey players, right up to the AAA level, spend such little time working on this area of their development. All players want to shoot the puck, very few want to work on the issues Karen's specializes in such as edge control, balance and proper technique. Without improving in these areas there is little chance of developing enhanced hockey skills.
In addition to using Karen's program for the teams I coach, all three of my children attend her camps and now play at the competitive level.
Lance Valcour
Coach
Gloucester Minor Rangers
"Karen's power skating technique sessions have helped my skating technique a lot, particularly my crossovers and longer forward stride. Karen helped me understand what I need to do to skate better. She provided me with good exercises and patterns that I can do on my own before practice. These exercises help me improve my skating ability. The "snake crossover drill" is my favourite, and I continue to use it in my daily practice routine.
Karen's evaluation of my game situation habits was really beneficial. In practice I may have been doing the drills correctly, but when I got tired in a game-situation she was able to identify my game skating tendencies and then we would work on improving them at the next power skating session.
By learning Karen's power skating technique system I not only improved my own skating...later on I will know how to help other players with their skating skills if I coach and when I have kids I'll be able to help them too. It is like the difference between a steak and a hot dog...everybody needs to improve their skating ability. If you take it seriously and work at it, your skating will improve and it will pay off...then you can afford the steak.
We all learned a lot from Karen's power skating technique sessions. She really knows how to coach power skating technique...everyone improved!"
Jason Lehoux
New Jersey Devils Hockey Club
"Karen's powerskating technique system has helped me a lot on improving my skating technique and getting faster. It has also improved my balance and stride in the game situation. I would recommend Karen's sessions to players, coaches or parents. It will help the kids a lot."
Mario Joly
Hull Olympiques
"Karen evaluates our weaknesses in a real-game situation. It is definitely good for us to understand areas in our skating technique that require improvement."
Philippe Choinière
Hull Olympiques
"My only regret is that I did not have the benefit of Karen's coaching when I was younger as she was able to help me with my cross-overs in just two lessons. Had I gone to see Karen earlier on in my hockey career, I might not be a lawyer today."
Jacques Neatby, 35 years old
Vice President, PGF Consultants Inc
"There was a noticeable difference in their game after the first 2 sessions with Karen...they were more balanced on the ice and particularly, the defencemen improved their ability to turn and make the play."
Dan MacNeil
Assistant Coach
Nepean Raiders, Major Atom B
"I think this type of instruction is valuable for young kids so they don't develop bad technique and just try to improve speed with poor habits."
Rachelle Belcourt
Parent
"We were amazed at the difference your class made in his skating level and technique. In one week, he went from finishing drills in the bottom third of the intro class to finishing in the top two or three skaters. He came off the ice last time so excited about his progress. He is really working hard at applying the techniques he learned and is so much more confident. His form has improved dramatically."
Sarah McNair
Parent
"With just the 5 classes her confidence in her skating has increased and when she focuses her stride is longer than before the classes."
Mike McMonagle
Parent
"Initially we found the team's skating was an area of concern, we lacked that competive edge, especially with the more skilled teams in our league. With Karen's assistance we were able to close the gap and found that we even surpassed some teams in the area of skating ability."
Mario Grandinetti
Ottawa Sting
Coach, Major Atom AA