Beginner Hockey & Skating School – Getting Started Guide

1. Complete the Application

Gather essential information, including your child’s age, current skating level or experience, and any other programs they have completed.

Applicaiton Link

You will receive an email within 24 business hours with detailed instructions for completing Steps 2–5 after completing the application.

2. Create an Account

Register for an account through Wellness Living to manage your skater’s schedule and program details.

Account Registration Instructions

• Click the Registration Link (Below): Fill out the requested information to start your account setup.
• Activate Your Account: Check your email for an activation message and click the link to activate your account.
• Create Your Parent/Guardian Profile: Enter all required fields for the parent or guardian and submit.
• Edit Your Profile: Click My Profile at the top menu, then select Edit Profile (top left) to review or update your information.
• Add Your Child(ren): Click Add Relationship to enter each student’s information. Repeat for multiple children.
• Register for Classes: Beginner classes are not yet available until an evaluation is scheduled. Once your child’s profile is added, you can register for applicable classes under the Book Now tab.

Create Account (click here)

3. Schedule an Evaluation (Only After Being Approved): 

Sign up for a 10 min evaluation skate with one of our instructors to determine the appropriate starting level.

• Monday September 15th 5:30pm
• Monday October 14th 5:20pm-5:30pm
• Monday November 24th 5:20pm-5:30pm

4. Become a Member 

Join as a program member to access all benefits and participate in classes.

5. Register for Classes (Only After Being Approved)

Once membership and level verification are complete, select and register for the classes that match your skater’s skill and goals.

Preschool Program  

Looking to introduce your child to skating for the first time in a fun and structured environment? Join our Learn to Skate program.  

Sign up now by following the instructions on the “get started tab” 

KIIH Annual Membership is required. 

Weekly Schedule  

Mondays @ Griff’s Icehouse at Belknap Park - East Rink  

5:30PM – 6:00PM 

Note: Skaters must test into appropriate levels. 

Sessions 

FALL 2025 | September 29 - November 3 

WINTER 1 2025 | November 10 - December 15 

WINTER 2 2026 | January 5 - February 9 

SPRING 1 2026 | February 23 - March 30 

SPRING 2 2026 | April 13 - May 18 

SUMMER 1 2026 | June 8 -  July 13 

SUMMER 2 2026 | July 20 - August 17 

*5 Weeks 

Enrollment & Payments 

Our Preschool program is a year-long, progressive program made up of six-week sessions. Once enrolled, you’ll be automatically registered for each session throughout the year. 

How It Works: 

• Full-Year Commitment: Skaters are enrolled in all sessions throughout the year. 
• Auto Enrollment: Your child remains enrolled unless you opt out. 
• Auto Payment: Your card will be charged on posted payment dates. 
• Dropping the Program: You must notify us before the posted drop date. 
• No refunds or credits are issued after the deadline. If you drop and later wish to return, your child will be placed on a waiting list. 
• Waiting List: After the drop date, open spots go to skaters on the waiting list before general registration opens.      

Preschool Skating with a Parent (Rookie 1 Only) 

This program allows kids to learn alongside mom or dad. Can’t skate? No problem! You will be able to walk alongside your skater on the ice. Helmets must be worn at all times. 

Additional Program Details 

This program is designed for 3–5-year-olds with no prior skating experience. It’s a great way to help young children build confidence on the ice through games, guidance, and lots of encouragement, while introducing basic skating skills in preparation for Learn to Skate Pro 1. It also gives children the chance to experience skating and explore future interest in figure skating or hockey.

All sessions are 30 minutes (Approximately 20 minutes of instruction and approximately 10 minutes of ice time to play and have fun on the ice). 

These sessions feature a 2:1 RATIO.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, there may be times when this number changes slightly. 

What to Wear? 

Required: 

• Skates (rentals available at Griff’s Icehouse: $3 per session or $2 with punch card) 
• Helmet 
• Winter gloves 

Recommended: 

• Snow pants 
• Elbow and shin pads 
• Warm winter clothing or snowsuits

We do not provide gear rentals or sales, so please come prepared. 

Rookie 1 for children with no skating experience. Skaters learn how to safely sit and stand on the ice, march in place, and begin moving forward. 

Rookie 2 for skaters who can march forward independently. This level focuses on touching toes while gliding forward, while working on balance and control. 

Rookie 3 for skaters who can take 8–10 forward strides. Focus is on gliding on one foot, beginning backward skating, and learning how to snowplow stop. 

Rookie 4 for skaters who can confidently skate forward. Skaters learn how to glide backward, perform two-foot turns, and hop in place on the ice. 

NOTE: There are no refunds or credits granted if you withdraw from this program. 

Learn To Skate Program 

Looking to improve your child's skating skills in a fun and structured environment? Join our Learn to Skate program.  

Sign up now by following the instructions on the “get started tab”.

KIIH Annual Membership is required. 

Weekly Schedule 

Mondays @ Griff’s Icehouse at Belknap Park - East Rink 

5:30 PM – 6:10 PM: Learn to Skate – Levels Pro 1, 2, 3 

6:20 PM – 7:00 PM: Learn to Skate – Levels Pro 3, 4, 5 

Note: Skaters must test into appropriate levels. 

Sessions

Evaluation Day | 

FALL 2025 | September 29 - November 3 

WINTER 1 2025 | November 10 - December 15 

WINTER 2 2026 | January 5 - February 9 

SPRING 1 2026 | February 23 - March 30 

SPRING 2 2026 | April 13 - May 18 

SUMMER 1 2026 | June 8 -  July 13 

SUMMER 2 2026 | July 20 - August 17 

*5 Weeks 

Enrollment & Payments 

Our Learn to Skate program is a year-long, progressive program made up of six-week sessions. Once enrolled, you’ll be automatically registered for each session throughout the year. 

How It Works: 

• Full-Year Commitment: Skaters are enrolled in all sessions throughout the year. 
• Auto Enrollment: Your child remains enrolled unless you opt out. 
• Auto Payment: Your card will be charged on posted payment dates. 
• Dropping the Program: You must notify us before the posted drop date. 
• No refunds or credits are issued after the deadline. If you drop and later wish to return, your child will be placed on a waiting list. 
• Waiting List: After the drop date, open spots go to skaters on the waiting list before general registration opens. 

Additional Program Details 

This comprehensive program uses interactive games to teach children fundamental skating skills. Each session is 40 minutes.  

These sessions feature a 6:1 RATIO.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, there may be times when this number changes slightly.  Our instructors may reach out to you to move your child to a different level if necessary.   

There are no specific age groups in this program because we prefer to group kids by ability. Children in these classes are typically 4-12 years old. We do not accept 3-year-olds in this program. We recommend you consider our Preschool option before trying Pro 1 if your child is between 3 & 5 years old and has never skated.

What to Wear? 

Required: 

• Skates (rentals available at Griff’s Icehouse: $3 per session or $2 with punch card) 
• Helmet 
• Winter gloves 

Recommended: 

• Snow pants 
• Elbow and shin pads 
• Warm winter clothing or snowsuits 

Some children wear full hockey gear (excluding stick). We do not provide gear rentals or sales, so please come prepared. 

Pro 1 classes are for children who have limited or no skating experience.  We teach children how to stand up, balance, move forward, take strides and stop (snowplow). Skating aids (i.e., “pushers”) are available for those who require them.  

Pro 2 classes are for children who can take complete strides with one or both feet (without a pusher) and have enough body control to stop and turn, although these skills may still need to be improved. In Level 2 classes, children learn to lengthen their strides, gain more confidence with snowplow stops, and turn and skate backward.  

Pro 3 classes are for children who can take complete strides and turn forward to backward on both feet in a circle. This is the beginning of one leg, one-foot glides on edges.  

Pro 4 classes are for children starting to use both inside and outside edges in a circle forward and backward. Also, children will learn to crossover (clockwise and counterclockwise)  

Pro 5 classes will continue focusing on inside and outside edges, both forward and backward.  This class will introduce three turns, two-foot spins, and hockey stops in both directions.  A continued focus will be on crossovers.    

Pro 6 classes are for children who have started three turns, forwards and backward crossovers, and inside and outside edges in a circle.  This class will introduce advanced backward skating and maneuvers as well as t-stops and forward spirals, and one-leg spins.     

NOTE: There are no refunds or credits granted if you withdraw from this program.  

Intro to Pucks

Perfect for skaters currently in Learn to Skate that are eagerto start learning hockey! This comprehensive program uses interactive games to teach children basic stickhandling and passing skills. Skaters in Intro to Pucks MUST be registered for KIIH Learn to Skate in order to register and have our KIIH Membership. Skaters must also be in Learn to Skate Pro 2 or Pro 3.

Each session is 30 minutes. These sessions feature a 6:1 RATIO. Our instructors may contact you to move your child to a different level if necessary.    

Session times are 6:10 pm – 7:00 pm at Griff’s Icehouse at Belknap Park. 

FALL 2025 | September 29 - November 3 

WINTER 1 2025 | November 10 - December 15 

WINTER 2 2026 | January 5 - February 9 

SPRING 1 2026 | February 23 - March 30 

SPRING 2 2026 | April 13 - May 18 

SUMMER 1 2026 | June 8 -  July 13 

SUMMER 2 2026 | July 20 - August 17 

*5 Weeks 

Call Angeline at 616.425.2198 ext 3 for availability.

Hockey 101 | Beginning Hockey

Our Hockey 101 program is designed for players between the ages of 5 and 10 who want to improve or catch up on their skills. Sessions will incorporate power skating, shooting, passing, puck control, and more! The program has multiple levels to continue to introduce new skills as players progress. There are a maximum of 4 to 8 skaters per group, and each session is 4o minutes long.   

To participate in our Hockey 101 program, players must also be enrolled in a KIIH Skating program (Learn to Skate), and our KIIH Membership is also required. Our Learn to Skate program is comprehensive and has several levels that must be completed. It's our philosophy that hockey players or skaters never stop working on skating and learning new techniques.     

This program is for players who want the confidence to elevate their game!   

Enrollment requirements: 

Existing KIIH Customers

Approval by skating instructor or program manager 

New KIIH Customers

Requires an evaluation skate and approval by skating instructor or program manager

Program Manager: Jason Markham   

Programs designed and directed by Richard Keyes