Summer Break or Get the Edge? What Coaches Want Parents to Know!
Welcome to “The Cool Edge” Summer Series! ~ Parent tips for keeping your skater cool, confident, and committed all summer long.
Edge Up Ice is excited to share our Summer Blog series with You!
Summer break may be here—but your skater’s growth doesn’t have to slow down!
Each Friday for the next eight weeks, we’ll be sharing quick, practical tips to help you keep your skater cool, confident, and committed all summer long. From staying healthy in the heat to making the most of vacation time, this series is designed especially for parents who want to support their skater’s progress while still enjoying the season. Let’s make this your most productive (and fun!) summer yet.
Let's get started with our first Summer Blog…
Summer Break or Get the Edge? ~ What Coaches Want Parents to Know
The school year’s over, and your skater’s schedule just opened up. So… should they take a break? Or use this time to get ahead?
As a coach and skating parent, not only do I get asked this a lot, but I lived it for many years while raising my own skaters. There's not a one size fits all answer. The answer depends on your skater’s age, level, and goals—but what’s always true is this: the choices you make in summer can either sharpen your skater’s edge or set them back.
In this post, I’ll share what I recommend to my students and their families—and how to find a balance that fits your skater and your summer.
Your skater’s age, level and commitment level matter!
Not all skaters need the same summer schedule.
Young tots (ages 2–5) should focus on fun and familiarity. Let them skate when they want to, make it a joyful experience, and don’t worry too much about structure. The goal at this stage is simple: fall in love with the ice.
Beginners and Skating Academy skaters (ages 6–10) can thrive with light structure and small wins. Keep skating fun and social, but introduce the idea of setting mini-goals—like learning backward swizzles or mastering a spiral.
~A good guideline: skate as much as they want, with a plan that still leaves plenty of room for summer fun.Test- and Competitive skaters (Pre-Preliminary through Senior) should be skating with intention. Parents are investing heavily in lessons, ice time, and competition fees. Summer is an ideal time to make gains in areas like power, edge quality, and test preparation.
➕ Extra ice time, private lesson availability, and off-ice classes make summer a strategic advantage—if used wisely.
Summer Ice Is Golden
While some families take a break from the rink entirely, that often leads to skill loss and re-training in the fall. Skating is muscle memory-based—and when your child steps away too long, they don’t just pause, they lose rhythm, timing, edge control, and confidence.
Summer offers:
More session and lesson availability
More time for drills and details
Availability of camps, workshops, and private coaching
The perfect opportunity to add an extra Ballet, flexibility or strength training class each week
You don’t need a packed schedule—but staying consistent (even just 2-4 days a week) keeps their body and brain and balance engaged.
On Vacation? Keep your Edge Strong Anywhere
Skaters don’t need to stop training just because they’re away from the rink.
Here are a few travel-friendly ideas:
Bring resistance bands for light strength training
Practice jumping rope and quickness drills for cardio
Stretch for flexibility in spirals and spin position on carpet or grass
Do off ice jumps in creative places… the hotel hallway, the beach, by the pool
Walk through programs and visualize routines before bed
Print out a “Vacation Training Plan” PDF and let your skater check off mini goals!
Take short video clips of your vacation training and create a video to share with your friends and coaches!
Consistency can happen in 15 minutes a day—it’s the habit that matters and it‘s FUN!.
Don’t Skip the Goals—Just Scale Them
Summer should be fun—but goals can still fit in.
For young skaters:
Try: “I want to do my spiral without wobbling,” or “I want to land my waltz jump, or Axel”
Include fun goals too: “Skate with a friend,” “Make up a routine to music.”For older skaters:
Set one test goal, one spin goal, one Jump goal, and one personal challenge. For example: “Pass Preliminary Moves,” “Improve combo spin consistency,” “Land my off Ice double Axel,” and “Stretch every night”. Tip: Ask your coach to help your skater set “S.M.A.R.T goals for the summer!
Final Thought: Find the Balance
In most cases, skaters work hard all year to reach their goals—and parents and coaches work just as hard to support them. The choices you make about how to balance life and skating during the summer are deeply personal—and there’s no single right answer.
Summer doesn’t have to mean full-time training—or a total break. With a bit of planning, you can keep your skater connected to their sport without sacrificing the joy and freedom that summer brings.
It’s important to remember: skaters who strive to be strong competitors will often use the summer to get ahead. They'll train more consistently—on and off the ice—and explore a wider variety of additional training and tools to elevate their skills.
At Edge Up Ice, we recommend sitting down with your coach early in the season to discuss your summer goals and create a schedule that works for your family. A well-balanced plan should include time to rest and recharge alongside opportunities to grow and improve—so your skater returns in the fall confident, prepared, and excited for what’s next.
Some weeks will be lighter than others—and that’s okay. The key is keeping momentum, keeping skating joyful, and using this season as a smart stepping stone toward their next achievement.
Stay on Track, Even While Away!
Whether you're heading out of town or enjoying a staycation, our Vacation Training Plan pdf is your go-to tool to help your skater stay strong, flexible, and connected to their skating goals. This simple printable was created to help you personalize a weekly routine, making it easy to stay consistent—even without daily ice time.
Use it to plan and track off-ice workouts, strength training, cardio, choreography walk-throughs, and more. Skaters who stay active during breaks return to the rink more prepared, more confident, and a step ahead.
Just download, print, and check off each day's progress—it’s your skating success plan, no matter where summer takes you!
Need help creating your plan? Ask your coach for suggestions—or reach out to me directly if you’d like help personalizing your weekly goals. I’m happy to help you make the most of your vacation training!
