Alien In-Line rolls to Westmount

Times Reporter

 

Alien In-Line is a school skating program that instructs over 65,000 kids a year how to rollerblade; 200 students in Grades 3-5 at Westmount Elementary School will get that same in-line instruction from Nov. 4-6 and 12-14.

 “At the elementary level, we like to have as many alternative Phys. Ed environments as we can,” said Wayne Funk, principal of Westmount. Funk takes his Grade 6 students skiing each winter. 

“Lots of our kids don’t play any kind of extra curricular sports – they don’t get to go downhill skiing, they’re not on a hockey team, or a ringette team, or a baseball team. We try in bring in those kind of alternative experiences for them,” he said.

Nine classes of students will pay $10 each, to have three one hour sessions of skating time with a qualified instructor, who comes with everything the kids need – skates, protective wear, and helmets.

“They’re teaching skills and safety; some game time, they’ll have some fun. Plus, some technique stuff,” Funk said. “Kids that are ice skaters are naturally going to have a bit of a step up – the instructors that usually come out are guys that have played high level hockey, and have all kinds of skills that they can show those high level kids too. It’s a really great way to spend a little bit of time.”

The skating sessions will not be included in the students’ Phys. Ed course, but during regular class time, and will take place in Westmount’s gym.

“It’s the opportunity to try a different sport – something that’s good fitness, that can be a life long sport. You don’t have to have a team to go for a rollerblade,” Funk said.