Weekly Social Ice Dancing

Ice dancing began as a social activity as a way to bring ballroom dancing to the ice and enjoy skating with other people. It gradually developed into competitive and testing structures. But many people still enjoy social ice dancing. Without the pressure of testing or competing, it gives you the opportunity to relax and enjoy skating with others who share the same passion.

Many ice dancers say the experience of skating with different partners helps their own ice dancing improve, and you may find this a hidden benefit of attending social ice dance sessions – besides the obvious fun! 

Our sessions are open to people of all ages and abilities.  We are a friendly bunch who will be happy to teach you the basics and the beginner ice dances if you show up at a session.  While anyone can give it a try, those taking group classes can start around the delta/gamma level or completion of basic skills.  It is useful to be able to do forward edges, cross-overs, three-turns, and mohawks.  The basic ice dance steps people start learning are swing rolls, progressives, chasses, and slide chasses.  

We play a mixed called playlist of social ice dances.  This includes dances in the US Figure Skating Preliminary through International levels.  There are a few social ice dances that are also sometimes played such as the Swing Waltz, Golden Skater's Waltz, and others.  

Social ice dance sessions are about dancing the called dances.  There are no jumps allowed.  Dance spins are allowed only on low attendance sessions.  Moves in the fields can be practiced, but the skater must look out for the called dancers.  Skaters may practice other dances as long as they do not interfere with skaters' doing the called dance.

Skaters doing the called dance always have the right of way.  This is over students in lessons, skaters not skating the dance, etc. If you aren't skating the dance, please stand next to the boards out of the way of the dancers.

Skaters should line up for each dance.  Full pattern dances start at the end opposite the ice resurfacers.

Who goes first? those skating regular patterns, those who are up to speed, those skating as a couple.
Who goes last? those doing variations, those who are learning, singles or flocks.

Please switch partners often. Don’t be shy; if you want to skate with someone, just ask.
If you need to decline a dance, perhaps offer to do a different dance with that person. 
Encourage a team approach to working out dance pattern issues, not criticism.
Be a mentor. Help skaters of all skill levels to learn new dances.