Skate Instruction
Locations ● Kraken Kourts & Skates ● Skate Care
Providing inline & roller skating classes + community events in Washington DC.
● ● ●
Locations
Kraken Kourts & Skates Bryant Street ● at the indoor roller rink 514 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC ● across the pedestrian bridge from the Rhode Island Ave Brentwood metro station on the red line.
Salvation Army ● Sherman Avenue Corps, indoors in the gym, 3335 Sherman Ave NW, Washington DC ● five blocks south of the Georgia Ave-Petworth metro station on the green line.
Rock Creek Park ● Carter Barron Amphitheatre Parking Lot and Entrance Circle, 4850 Colorado Ave NW, Washington DC
Skate Lessons at Kraken Kourts & Skates
We offer one hour skate classes year round in Washington DC's only indoor roller rink.
Skate Lessons at Kraken Kourts and Skates
Register via the Kraken website
630pm Wednesdays
& 10am Saturdays
Learn to Skate at a Roller Rink ● Covers getting comfortable on skates, rink safety and basic skating skills.This class can be repeated for a progression of skills including: basic stride, balance, turning and stopping.
Register via the Kraken website
6pm Thursdays
Rollerdance ● for non beginners ● Take your skating to the next level, learn some skate moves to show off at the rink, and choreograph it to the beat of the music.Coach Clare teaches Rollerdance on select Wednesdays an you can reach out in advance to make sure she will be there for your session.
Private Lessons (for 1-4 students) ● Get one on one time with a skate instructor to provide you coaching customized to your skating needs.
In Petworth
| Saturdays | Sundays (by arrangement) |
|---|---|
| 10am (Monthly) Free Learn to Skate Clinic | Private Lessons |
| 2pm Skate Practice & Slalom | Other Skating Sessions |
At the Roller Rink
| Wednesdays | Thursdays | Saturdays |
|---|---|---|
| 630pm Rollerdance Group Class | 630pm Learn to Skate Group Class | 9am Private Lesson 1-4 Students |
| 730pm Private Lesson 1-4 Students | - | 10am Learn to Skate Group Lesson |
Instructors
About Skate Coach Jennifer
Jennifer is trained in artistic skating with a background in coaching and competing on a national level.
Her roller skating journey began with skating at age 3 and starting as a skate instructor at age 10.
She has successfully taught hundreds of adults and children of all levels.
Jennifer peviously ran her own skating club in a roller rink in Massachusetts.
Jennifer's credentials
USA Roller Sports certified Competitive Artistic Skating Skate Coach.
Competed on a national stage and has coached students who have competed nationally as well.
About Skate Instructor Clare
Clare's adventures have taken her into dance, choreography, gymnastics, circus arts and also teaching skating.
She has immersed herself in the DC area "snap city" style skating scene.
Clare has been roller skating and sharing her knowledge since the beginning of the pandemic.
Clare's certifications
SkateIA Level 1 Skate Instructor.
USA Roller Sports recognized Skate Coach.
Skate Lessons at the Salvation Army
We have loaner skates and protective equipment available for free at our outdoor lessons.
Group Lessons
Learn to Skate Outdoors ● Covers proper use of protective equipment, falling safety and prevention, basic stride, turning and stopping.
Private Lessons
Outdoor Private Lessons ● Available for adults, children and families, beginner to advanced skaters, covering the skills of your choice.
Instructors
About Skate Instructor Danny
Danny has been tirelessly teaching beginners at the learn to skate clinic, which originated in Rock Creek Park, over the past 20+ years.
He started on inline skates and teaches both inline and roller skaters.
Danny is a SkateIA Certified Level 1 Skate Instructor.
About Lead Instructor Andrew
Andrew has been street skating, trail skating, teaching and organizing events for 30+ years.
He learned to skate on the streets of Manhattan and routinely organized and led group street skates with hundreds of participants safely.
Andrew skates and teaches on inline and roller skates, indoors in rinks and outdoors on the trails.
Andrew's certifications
SkateIA Certified Level 2 Skate Instructor, with a roller fitness endorsement.
USA Roller Sports recognized Skate Coach.
Community Page
Join us during the cool weather as we make new friends and get more people into skating.
Free Learn to Skate Clinic ● Saturday mornings at the Salvation Army on Sherman Ave NW and Rock Creek Park.
Start with the clinic if you are learning to skate or need a refresher. We have loaner skates & protective gear available.
Introductory Rollerdance ● Learn skills to show off when you skate -- with style. Select Tuesdays, pay what you can.
Skate Lab ● Skate sessions range from skate fitness to balance, to exploring a trail, on select Mondays outdoors and indoors.
Introductory Slalom ● Improve your balance and fitness while practicing skate moves along a row of equally spaced cones.
Skate Clinic Series ● Follow our progressions to develop your skills to skate well in any setting.
Join us during the cool weather as we make new friends and get more people into skating.
Slalom Skating ● Build your balance and agility while practicing skating maneuvers around cones.
Rink Night ● Our Salvation Army fundraiser is coming and we are looking for skaters who can help.
We operate a free "Learn to Skate" clinic as a service to the community to promote safe skating and make skating more fun.The clinic covers the proper use of safety equipment, basic skating skills and how to use a heel brake or toe stop for stopping. It's great for new skaters and anyone returning to the sport.Helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads are required. Use the form below to sign up.
For skaters who have taken the Learn to Skate clinic and other non-beginner skaters:Learn skate moves to show off at your next skate -- at a roller rink or anywhere else -- and work with our skate coach to choreograph your skating to music.
Introductory Rollerdance
For skaters who have taken the learn to skate clinic and other non-beginner skaters:Get fit, work on your balance, and explore new places to skate. We'll customize these sessions to the specific needs of our participants. This will be held in various locations.
Skate Lab
Rink night is coming -- we're working on arrangements to turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink and more. Right now we're tracking who is up for helping out with the event.
I Want to Volunteer
Private Lessons Outdoors
Notes
Private lessons run for 60 minutes.
If you don't see a compatible date or have a special request use the request button below.
Skating for Kids
Notes
Indoor Skate Sessions
Register in advance; pay what you want at the door as a donation to the Salvation Army.
Protective gear required; we have free loaner gear available for use during the session.
Adults must accompany minors throughout the skate.
Notes
Register in advance; sessions are free but there is a limit to the number of skaters we can host.
Protective gear required; we have free loaner gear available for use during the session.
Adults must accompany minors throughout the skate.
Outdoor Skate Sessions (do up form)
Fill out this form to get more information about becoming a skate instructor or skate coach at our skate school.
Teach With Us
Sign Our Waiver
Agree to our Waiver
Sign Our Waiver Packet
Rink Night
630-830pm Saturday, September 16
Our DJ'ed Roller Rink Night Cookout Fundraiser
Enjoy both longtime and new skating friends as we turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink for inline and roller skaters. We'll bring a DJ playing a mix of danceable tunes, plus food, drink, good cheer from the community, and plenty of skaters to meet.Pay what you want for entry. Proceeds to benefit the summer kids camp at the Salvation Army.Bring your skates and safety gear. We'll also have loaner skates and safety gear available.This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, we'll relocate indoors in the Salvation Army gym.
SkateInstruction.com/#rinknight
Rink Night
End of summer edition.
630-830pm Saturday, September 16
Our DJ'ed Roller Rink Night Cookout Fundraiser
Enjoy both longtime and new skating friends as we turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink for inline and roller skaters. We'll bring a DJ playing a mix of danceable tunes, plus food, drink, good cheer from the community, and plenty of skaters to meet.Pay what you want for entry. Proceeds to benefit the summer kids camp program at the Salvation Army.Bring your skates and safety gear. We'll also have loaner skates and safety gear available.This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, we'll relocate indoors in the Salvation Army gym at the same address.
RSVP for Rink Night ● Space is limited; sign up in advance for guaranteed entry at the event.
Not ready to skate? Use the link below for a free lesson.
Learn to Skate ● Free ● Covers the proper use of protective gear, falling safety and prevention, basic stride, turning and stopping.
Ready to step up your game? Take some post beginner classes and build your skating style.
Skate Lab ● (Learn to Skate "Part 2") ● A mix of balance, fitness and skating to music to get the most from skating outdoors.
Skate Lab is offered on a pay what you want basis.
It's a wrap for our May Rink Night. Thank you to everyone who came out and to all our volunteers. Stay tuned for additional Rink Nights in the future.
Rink Night/Open House
630-830pm Saturday, May 6
Our DJ'ed Roller Rink Night Cookout Fundraiser
Enjoy both longtime and new skating friends as we turn the Salvation Army parking lot into a roller rink for inline and roller skaters. We'll bring a DJ playing a mix of danceable tunes, plus food, drink, good cheer from the community, and plenty of skaters to meet.Proceeds to benefit the summer kids camp program at the Salvation Army.This is a rain or shine event. If it rains, we'll relocate indoors in the Salvation Army gym at the same address.
Notes
Protective gear required to skate . We'll have some protective gear and skates available at the event. We'll also have certified skate instructors there to help you get going.For those of you who want to strengthen your skating skills ahead of the event, we've set up the following 30 minute class.
● ● ●
SkateInstruction.com/#rinknight
Rink Night Cookout Donation
Dinner is on a pay what you want donation. Recommended: $25 dinner and a drink, or $5-$10 per a la carte item.
RSVP for Rink Night
Space is limited; sign up in advance for guaranteed entry.
Skate Care
Because your skates deserve care just as much as you do.
Part of skating is the relationship you build with your skates -- starting from picking the right pair, to showing off your gear, to providing your skates the proper care so they can always be a joy to wear.We're proud to have Adrienne on our team to share her expertise.
About Adrienne, our Resident Skate Expert
Owner of the Department of Skate, Washington DC's only skate shop.
Long time roller derby skater as Velocity Raptor.
Actively skates, sells, sets up and offers maintenance and advice on all skates far and wide.
Adrienne is a great resource with a vast ocean of knowledge and you can reach out to her anytime to get her help.
Skate Care Sessions
Skate Maintenance ● 10am-noon Saturday June 17 ● Grab your tools and roll up your sleeves as we take you through the steps to get your skates in shape and keep them rolling smoothly.
The Check My Skates session is designed to be a place where you can take pride in the gear you have, get some brief answers to any problems, and to figure out next steps on what you can do with your skates.
Check My Skates ● Show off your special setup, bring those skates from mom's attic, or your current skates to look at. We'll admire your gear & give you some helpful tips.
Skate Buyer Workshop ● Can't decide what skates to get?
Skate Maintenance
10am-noon Saturday June 17 at the Salvation Army parking lot (indoors in the gym if it rains).
Notes
Cleaning material and bearing lube provided.
Tools are not provided. You'll need to bring the following: skate tools (a T-tool and a bearing puller) plus a wash bottle.
If you don't have tools, buy whatever you need when signing up.
Don't forget to bring your skates. We'll be taking them apart and putting them back together.
Register for Skate Mainteance
Check My Skates
Jam Skating Request
Contact Us
Thank You!
Thank you for reaching out to us. Getting feedback from you helps us build better programs.
Your form has been submitted, we'll check out what you sent and be in touch with you soon.
Skate Maintenance Confirmation
Thanks for signing up! We're very excited that you will attend. Here is the key information you'll need to have the best experience:
Where We'll Meet
We'll meet at the Salvation Army on Sherman Avenue in Petworth. The address is:3335 Sherman Ave NWPark on the streets nearby and meet at the front entrance, at the corner of Sherman and Morton St NW. We'll have people coming out periodically to meet you and bring you to the parking area where we are teaching.If you are taking public transportation, it's a short walk from the Petworth metro station.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
We most likely won't reschedule or cancel the session. If it's raining, we'll relocate indoors at the same address, into the Salvation Army gym.We'll send out a note if we need to cancel the session or reschedule it. If we cancel, we'll send you a refund. If we reschedule and you can't make the new date, we'll send you a refund.
What to Bring
Here is a list of what you should bring:Your skates (they can be inline skates or roller skates).Plus the following items:
A t-tool - you'll use this to remove and reattach your wheels
A bearing puller - you'll use this to remove teh bearings from your wheels to clean them
A wash bottle - you'll put your bearings in it to clean them
If you purchased any of these items while registering, they'll be there for you when you arrive and are yours to keep and take home.
What to Expect
We'll show you how to clean your skates. We'll have tables and chairs set up for you to do that comfortably. The parts of the skates we'll focus on are your wheels and bearings as they receive the most wear.For any questions, you're welcome to reach out to me by text, I'll be leading the class and am reachable at (202) 262-7364.Looking forward to seeing you there!Adrienne Schreiber for Department of Skate
Introductory Rollerdance Confirmation
Thanks for signing up!Please note that the prerequisite for signing up for this session is being able to skate. If you need some help to start skating, please sign up for a learn to skate session.
Directions
We'll meet at the Salvation Army on Sherman Avenue in Petworth, indoors in the gym. The address is:3335 Sherman Ave NWPark on the streets nearby go to the side entrance, buzz the buzzer and we'll let you in.If you are taking public transportation, it's a short walk from the Petworth metro station.
What to Bring
We encourage you to wear pads as you be learning learning new skills.
wrist guards
elbow pads
knee pads
Other than that, you'll need to bring your skates of course!
What to Expect
Skate Instructor Clare will be there to help you get started on some new skate moves and also work on your style, with and without music.If you have any trouble finding us, I'll be nearby and you can call/text me for help at 410-394-9483.-Skate Instructor Andrew
Skate Lesson Confirmation
Thanks for signing up! We're very excited that you will attend. Here is the key information you'll need to have the best experience:
Places Where We Teach
Depending on where we've indicated to meet, we'll be at the Salvation Army or Rock Creek Park. Here are the directions for each spot:
Salvation Army (Outdoors)
We'll meet at the Salvation Army on Sherman Avenue in Petworth. The address is:3335 Sherman Ave NWPark on the streets nearby and meet at the front entrance, at the corner of Sherman and Morton St NW. We'll have people coming out periodically to meet you and bring you to where we are teaching.If you are taking public transportation, it's a short walk from the Petworth metro station.
Salvation Army (Indoor Gym)
Go to the Morton Street entrance near the fenced off parking lot and buzz the buzzer to get let in.
Rock Creek Park
We'll meet at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre Parking Lot in Rock Creek Park. The address is:4850 Colorado Ave NWIt's an enormous parking lot; turn in from Colorado Avenue and we'll meet near the entrance. If you find yourself near the tennis courts, you'll need to go the other end of the parking lot.
Other Locations
If we're meeting at any other location, we'll send an email with directions on how to get there.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
We'll send out a note if we need to cancel the session and reschedule it. It could be due to bad weather or a parking lot that's too wet, among other reasons. If that happens, we will provide a date for when the session is rescheduled.
What to Bring
either inline skates
...or roller skates
a helmet -- required outdoors
These items are also required outdoors:
wrist guards
elbow pads
knee pads
We do have loaner skate equipment; if you need something, please let us know as soon as you can.
Be There Early -- When We Start
be 30 minutes early to borrow gear
be 15 minutes early to put on your gear
our skate class will start on time
What to Expect
We'll get geared up, and start doing some skating! The plan is to skate safely and have some fun. We'll work to make sure you get some time with an instructor and for practice on your own.For any other questions, you're welcome to reach out to me by text or a phone call, I'm the lead instuctor and am reachable at 410-394-9483.Looking forward to seeing you there!Andrew Barabasz
Trolley Trail Day in Hyattsville, MD
We'll be at the municipal parking lot adjacent to Franklins Restaurant and the Trolley Trail. Here is the address:5123 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsvile, MDPark on the streets nearby and meet us at our booth.Our sessions at this location will not be for beginners -- they will be for our Learn to Skate Clinic graduates and skaters comfortable skating outdoors on off-street trails.
Skate Clinic Confirmation
Thanks for signing up! We're very excited that you will attend. Here is the key information you'll need to have the best experience:
Where to Go
Check your sign up confirmation. Depending on where we've indicated to meet we'll be at the Salvation Army, Rock Creek Park or a special event. Here are the directions for each spot:
Salvation Army (Outdoors)
We'll meet at the Salvation Army on Sherman Avenue in Petworth. The address is:3335 Sherman Ave NWPark on the streets nearby and meet at the front entrance, at the corner of Sherman and Morton St NW. We'll have people coming out periodically to meet you and bring you to the parking area where we are teaching.If you are taking public transportation, it's a short walk from the Petworth metro station.
Salvation Army (Indoor Gym)
Go to the Morton Street entrance near the fenced off parking lot and buzz the buzzer to get let in.
Rock Creek Park
We'll meet at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre Parking Lot in Rock Creek Park. The address is:4850 Colorado Ave NWIt's an enormous parking lot; turn in from Colorado Avenue and we'll meet near the entrance. If you find yourself near the tennis courts, you'll need to go the other end of the parking lot.
Celebrate Petworth
We'll be running our mini clinic near the north side of the Upshur St and 9th St NW intersection. Find our "Skate Instruction" booth and our adjacent skating area there.Here is a helpful marker on Google Maps:851 Upshur St NW
Cancellations and Rescheduling
We'll send out a note if we need to cancel. It could be due to bad weather or a parking lot that's too wet, among other reasons. If that happens, you are welcome to sign up for one of our other sessions.
What to Bring
The following items are mandatory. If you don't wear them, we can't teach you to skate:
either inline skates, with a heel brake
...or roller skates, with toe stops
a helmet -- a bike helmet will do
wrist guards
elbow pads
knee pads
We do have loaner skates and protective equipment; if you need something, please let us know as soon as you can.Finally, you should wear comfortable clothing appropriate to the weather.
Be There Early -- When We Start
be 30 minutes early to borrow gear
be 15 minutes early to put on your gear
our skate class will start on time
What to Expect
We'll get geared up, and start doing some skating! The plan is to skate safely and have some fun. We'll work to make sure you get some time with an instructor and for practice on your own.For any other questions, you're welcome to reach out to me by text or a phone call, I'm the lead instuctor and am reachable at 410-394-9483.Looking forward to seeing you there!Andrew Barabasz