Coach ​Sarah ​Hollister

Figure Skating Coach

"Sarah's dedication to ​teaching motivates me ​to work hard!"

• Lindsey, Student
  

MY STORY

I grew up skating in the Houston area and it had always been my dream to ​skate at the collegiate level in college. In 2014, I committed to skate for ​Adrian College in Michigan on their Varsity Figure Skating and ​Synchronized Skating Team. During my competitive career at Adrian, we ​continued to reign as the undefeated Intercollegiate Midwestern ​Conference Champions in figure skating. On the Synchronized Skating ​Team, we earned the Midwestern Sectional Championships Bronze and ​Pewter medals in 2015, 2017 and 2018. I also became a national ​competitor at the US Synchronized Skating Championships. By my Senior ​year at Adrian, I had earned my “Double Gold Medal” in both Freeskate and ​Moves in the Field and completed my Silver Ice Dance tests. In April 2018, I ​graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Business Administration ​with a focus in Sports Management and a minor in Public Relations. I also ​ventured into professional show skating where I skated in my first ​professional ice show with Rosstyn Ice Shows in Palm Beach, Florida.

I have over 11 years of coaching experience working with skaters of all ​ages and levels. I have taught skaters from their very first steps on the ice ​to competing at local competitions, performing in ice shows, and passing ​USFS tests. My skaters have continued on to skate on Intercollegiate ​teams in college and have become coaches themselves. In 2019, 2020, ​2022, & 2023 I became the Director of Sugar Land Ice’s annual production ​of the Nutcracker on Ice. I coached for Houston Elite Synchronized Skating ​Teams 2019-2023. I strongly believe that coaching is a profession of ​constant personal development and have continued to educate myself by ​mentoring with top coaches all across the country.

My primary goal is to create a hard-working, ​positive, and fun environment for skaters of ​all ages and levels to pursue their love of ​skating.

Coaching Experience & Accomplishments

WHY START PRIVATE LESSONS?

Figure Skating is a beautiful and complex sport that requires one-on-one attention. Adding private lessons as a supplement to group ​lessons is an excellent way to advance quicker in the sport. Lessons are taught on a one on one basis where the skater has the full ​attention of their coach. Private coaches can create a long term plan for their skaters, monitor and track their progress, and provide in-​depth advice and knowledge about the sport. Skaters interested in competing and or testing must have a private lesson coach to ​prepare them and decide on appropriate leveling.

INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVATE ​LESSONS AT SLICE

All head coaches at the Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center are qualified to teach private lessons. Skaters may start taking ​them anytime but must also be enrolled in a group class. Skaters should contact the coach that they are interested in taking ​lessons from. Coaches’ qualifications, availability, and rates all vary.

Low level private lessons are taught on public sessions or Freestyle sessions, which vary depending on rink availability. ​Calendars of public session times are available in the pro-shop and online at Sugarlandice.com. Skaters and coaches ​arrange the time to meet to have the lessons. Skaters need to be ready with skates on for the start of the lesson. Coaches ​at the rink are private contractors, so the charge for the public session is SEPARATE from the coach’s charge. Charge for ​the public or freestyle session is to be paid to the rink, while the coach’s charge is to be given directly to the coach. Skaters ​may skate the entire public session or basic skills practice session that they pay for, not just the lesson with the coach. ​Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center code of ethics requires that in the event of a coaching change, the current coach is to be ​notified of the change request first before contacting the new coach.

A skater’s primary private lesson coach’s recommendations for skating levels takes precedence over group lesson ​instructor’s recommendations in Learn to Skate classes. Any questions regarding group lesson level placement should be ​directed to the private lesson coach. Coaches are responsible for approving U.S. Figure Skating testing and competitions ​for the skater. Any time a skater would like to participate in tests or competitions, the skater is to consult the coach for ​approvals and level placement.

Coach Sarah's ​Rates & Policies

Skaters must cancel any lessons within 24 hours of the lesson start ​time or the lesson is subject to be billed. All lesson cancellations ​must be in writing (text or email). Cancellations that occur less than ​24 hours in advance of the scheduled lesson will be billed. ​Emergency cancellations will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

My private lesson fee is $40 per half hour lesson. I will send monthly ​invoices at the end of each month that will be due one week after ​the invoice is sent. There is a $25 late fee for each week the ​payment is overdue.

Payments are payable via Venmo, Zelle, check or cash. If you would ​like to use the Venmo App to make payments, please download the ​app, create an account, add “Coach-Sarah-Hollister” as a friend and ​you will be able to transfer money directly to my account.

A detailed outline of my rates and policies is available by clicking the ​button below.

Competitive skaters train towards achieving the ​USFS "Gold Medal" through passing tests. They ​compete in the Excel series or Well Balanced ​track. This requires 3-6 private lessons per week ​as well as substantial practice time, on ice trainnig ​classes and off ice (ballet, stretch, and ​conditioning).

This skater skates 5-6 times per week.

THERE IS A PLACE IN SKATING FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF YOUR SKATING ​GOALS! LET'S CREATE A GAME PLAN THAT WORKS FOR YOUR SKATER.

SKATER RESOURCES

New Skater Info

New Figure Skates & Maintenance

Skaters may get their own skates at any time when they begin ​skating, but at the Basic 4 level is when they are absolutely ​necessary. All skaters need their own skates and they will help ​the skater progress. I highly recommend all of my skaters get ​professionally fitted at Houston Skate and Sport Orthotics ​Center. They do a phenomenal job evaluating a skaters foot type ​and walking style to fit them in a skate that is appropriate for ​their skating level. Appointments are one hour in length. Please ​let me know when you make an appointment.

Skaters need to get their skates sharpened regularly. Please ​contact me to arrange a sharpening with my skate technician. ​Skate sharpening is $20 per sharpening.

HOW DOES ICE TIME WORK?

Public session is a time reserved for people to come for ​recreational skating and for those taking low level skating ​lessons. Any jumps higher than single jumps are not allowed, and ​high level spins are also not allowed. Most people coming to ​skate on these sessions are recreational skaters coming for ​birthday parties or just coming to skate for fun

Freestyle sessions are specifically training sessions, for skaters ​learning the sport of ice/figure skating. These sessions are 30 ​minutes in length and skaters can skate as many as they choose. ​Majority of private lessons are held on these sessions. These ​sessions have reduced numbers of skaters creating an optimal ​training enviornment. Skater's can play their music over the loud ​speaker to practice their competition program.

All skaters must "sign in" before stepping on the ice. Skaters can ​sign in using the Mindbody App or in the pro shop.

Texas Gulf Coast FSC

Texas Gulf Coast FSC is the figure skating club affiliated with ​Sugar Land Ice. The figure skating club is non-profit organization ​run by fully by volunteers. The club is responsible for supporting ​and organizing events like competitions, test sessions, social ​activities, exhibitions and critiques.

When should my skater become a member? Your skater can ​become a member at anytime! The club offers a wide variety of ​memberships from Basic Skills, Full Member, Adult, and ​Collegiate. In order to compete, test and take advantage of all ​the opportunities the club has to offer, your skater will need to ​join.

The membership year renews July 1st.

Houston Elite Synchro

Houston Elite Synchro is the only synchronized skating team in ​the Houston area. Synchronized skating is a team sport where 8-​16 skaters perform various elements to music. This is a great ​way to experience skating in a team environment!

Skaters of all ages and levels welcome to join from Basic 4 to ​Senior MIF. There is a team for everyone! The competition ​season runs from September through the end of January. Tryouts ​are typically held in June. Houston Elite travels to a variety of ​competitions across the country ranging from the Synchro Fall ​Classic in Irvine, California to the Midwestern Sectional ​Championships in Chicago, Illinois.

Coach Sarah has been a coach of Houston Elite since 2018 and ​highly recommends her skaters join!