Skate UK / Fun Skate/ Skate Excellence Levels

These levels are usually taken via group lessons in a “numbered’ level system. Skaters progress on to Bronze, Silver and Gold. The skater must demonstrate a set criterion of skating moves to pass each of these levels. Skate UK/ Fun skate/ Galaxy Gliders Gold is NOT the same as Skate UK Star Gold.

Skate UK Star

There are 3 Skate UK Star levels. These are also called Bronze, Silver and Gold which can sometimes lead to confusion. These levels are coached and assessed in private lessons with individual coaches. On completion of Skate UK Star Gold the skater will be signed off by their coach on a ‘Registration Document’ (also known as their ‘NISA Passport’) This is a very important document which must be shown in order to be eligible to enter Competitions and apply to take NISA tests. Achieving Skate UK Star Gold means that the skater will have a 1.5 minute program which they skate to music and they will be eligible to compete as a beginner at ‘Open Competitions’ and will be beginning to work towards their NISA Level 1.

NISA Judged Levels

These levels go from 1 to 10 and are assessed by at least one NISA qualified judge. Skaters must show proof that they have completed the Skate UK programme before being allowed to apply for the judged levels. There are different tests at each level and skaters may choose to follow whichever path they wish. Skaters need to complete the previous level of each test area before moving up to the next level and cannot skip levels in any given area.

 Field Moves - assessing control of edges  Elements - these are elements of free skating such as jumps, spins and step sequences which are done in isolation  Free Skating - using the elements in a continuous routine or program of a given length, set to music.  Compulsory Dances - there are 2 dances at each level. Dances may be tested solo or with a partner.  Variations (up to Level 2) - this is done as part of the pattern of one of the compulsory dances followed by a specific number of bars of a dance to the same music which is invented by the skater (more usually their coach) followed by the end of the compulsory pattern.  Original Dance (Level 3 and above) - a full routine to a given type of music with no compulsory dance sequence at the beginning.  Free Dance - similar to the Free Skating this is a program of a given length, to music, including certain required dance elements.

All skaters must complete Field move tests in order to move up through competitive levels alongside their chosen discipline. PLEASE NOTE: Skating levels refer to the LAST TEST PASSED unlike in dance, music and many other areas when you are referred to as being the grade you are working towards ie: A free skater does not become Level 1 until they have passed both Level 1 Field Moves and either L1 Elements or L1 Free.