Workshop to help Yuma youths learn to skate

Always wanted to learn how to in-line skate?

Yumans ages 5-15 will have an opportunity this week to learn for free, during an in-line skate clinic hosted by the Yuma Youth Hockey Organization.

The program will run from Aug. 3 through Sept. 2 and meet every Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, according to event organizer Jim Allen.

The "Learn to Skate Program" is a national program that Allen said was started by the National Hockey League and moved into roller hockey.

"From there we will try to teach new kids and some of the kids that are in our program, give them the opportunity to skate indoors, out of the weather and get them ready for our upcoming hockey season," he said.

Allen said it's not necessary that children have all their own hockey equipment. The only thing they need is skates and a stick.

"We will have 40 bags available (with protective gear)," he said, with 20 of them bought by the league and 20 donated from local organizations. He said they will have additional bags if needed.  Organizers will also have some skates and sticks on hand for some children.

The gear is free to use as long as kids return it, he said.

The skill level required to participate is "absolutely none," he said.

Allen said the schedule for the fall in-line hockey season is Monday through Thursday, with two games a week and a practice at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

The season runs from mid-September until just before Thanksgiving, he said. The cost is $60 per player for the season.

"Come on out, enjoy some fun and get some exercise," he said.

For more information about the class or the league, call (928) 941-1424.

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Stephanie A. Wilken can be reached at swilken@yumasun.com or 539-6857.