Get your skates on and dance at new Ely and Soham-based Cambridgeshire Artistic Rollerskating Club

Coach Rachel Hobbs, Chris Farrier and Zoe King. (Image: Archant)

The Cambridgeshire Artistic Roller Skating Club has launched two new weekly sessions after a successful trial run last month.

Based at the Paradise Centre in Ely and the Ross Peers Sports Centre in Soham, the club’s aim is to provide a fun and exciting environment whilst teaching members the art of figure, dance and free skating.

Head coach, Rachel Hobbs, said: “I first stated skating at the age of 12 and competed in my first competition at 13.

“I’m so excited to be here 14 years after putting on my first pair of skates, opening my own Artistic Roller Skating club with my best friend. It’s a dream come true.”

All skaters will start by taking part in grades one to six in basic skills, before moving on to train in one or more of dance, figure and free skating.

Great Britain dance competitor Zoe King, who is running the sessions alongside Rachel, said: “I could never imagine my life without skating. I have a passion for coaching and began learning to coach when I was 15.

“I love seeing skaters improve and also finding fun ways for them to learn. Our taster sessions were an amazing success and I absolutely loved every minute of it.”

Zoë and Rachel will be joined by assistants Chris Farrier and Diane King. Chris said: “I haven’t been skating all that long but I now can’t wait to get my skates on.

“Having been to an international gala as a spectator watching Zoe skate, I could see the passion she has for the sport and the hard work she puts into her routines. I am a firm believer in working hard to achieve your goals. Ever since then I have been learning how to skate with the help of our club.”

The sessions take place every Thursday from 6-7pm in Soham and will begin in Ely on Sunday October 1 at 11am.

Sessions are £3 per skater and skates can be hired for 50p.

For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page.