“If you are looking to help improve your son or daughters skating skills for hockey I would highly recommend Amanda Truax at River Blades Skating School. I have worked with a lot of skating instructors and Amanda is as good as it gets.

She has the highest certification in the country for a figure skating instructor but on top of that is an excellent teacher. When she works with the kids she is always working very hard giving specific feedback, changing the drills so the student can make the adjustments they need.

She is commonly seen physically moving a skater’s upper body or torso so they can feel the correct technique. It’s not uncommon to see her positioning a skate or setting a player’s torso for proper alignment & posture.

She has a high level of integrity and earns her money, never taking a second off while your child is on the ice with her.”

“Coach Amanda and Riverblades….

It is now my daughter’s (Harmon) second year with the Riverblades after moving down to Hastings from the Fargo/Moorhead area. The amount of growth she has shown not just in her figure skating skills while being there, but her inner-self speaks volumes of the positive impact you and the staff have on these kids is something I’ve never witnessed before elsewhere. Much of what I see in my Harmons growth is something I didn’t feel in myself until I was into my high school years, once I found that one coach, like Harmon has in you, that was able to instill the things that one simply can not get from their own homes, that independent feeling of confidence in oneself. Seeing and feeling that my own child has been able to capture that within you and this program is priceless, the joy and gratefulness it brings in me as a parent is unexplainable in words.

Your resume speaks volumes of why you are so humble and caring to these kids today. It is so heart warming to see very successful people like yourself keep to your roots and not forget where you once were before all your own success, and yet to turn back and help others where you once were and to try and help them succeed just as you did yourself, unlike so many successful people who let it go to their heads and never look back.

Real Champions lift and move hearts not just trophies and that is exactly what Coach Amanda and the Riverblades exemplifies. As a proud parent I absolutely adore and admire what you have done and continue to do to help so many who want to be just like you…..a Peoples Champion on and off the ice!!! The camaraderie, graciousness and love they all learn to share through you and your program is so beneficial to everyone, as there will never be such a thing as too much RESPECT and LOVE in the world.

You have something very special happening at Riverblades, one can feel it in the atmosphere there, you just aren’t teach them how to skate better you’re teaching them how to love, respect and support others.

Thanks for ALL you do for our children, as it takes a Village to try and keep them on the path we much desire them to continue on!!!!”

“Riverblades,
I highly recommend Amanda Truax and the River Blades Skating program. Amanda has coached my son, Chase, who played High School Hockey and my daughter, Savanna, who achieved the highest level in the United States Figure Skating Association her Gold Figure Skating Test in Field Moves. This year Savanna will be attending a college that represents Team USA skating. She could not have achieved this without Amanda’s skillful mentoring, goal setting, encouragement and coaching techniques.

Amanda Truax promotes a high standard of professional conduct, yet she kept it fun for my kids. I gave Amanda the important piece of my life, my kids to coach and she excelled! I am a police commander and I worry a lot, but Amanda’s style fostered trust. She ensured all my questions were answered and the lines of communication were always kept open.

Amanda Truax cares about her students. She understands potential and will effectively use a students individual strengths to empower them to achieve results. My adult children are friends with Amanda, and both have coached at the Learn to Skate program. She has been instrumental in their lives and they could not have been the wonderful people they are today without her coaching, friendship, and support. ”

“A year and a half ago, I was in search of something to help strengthen my daughter’s core muscle strength – she struggled to run with a natural gait, lacked body space awareness, and was terrified to even go near a bike. Over the last eighteen months, I have watched her build not only that strength and coordination, but develop strong friendships and most importantly, confidence – in attitude and movement. My middle daughter begged to join this year and has become a stronger and joyful skater in the six months that she’s been there. Both girls attend group lessons, working on specific skills before advancing to the next level, and compete with Popsicles, the beginning production team. The leveled classes allow my girls to work on skills in a group with similar skaters while Popsicles has them working cooperatively with skaters with varying degrees of skill, teaching them the importance of working together; encouraging one another, recognizing hard work and lifting one another up if something goes awry. Amanda is an attentive, compassionate, and knowledgeable teacher – highlighting student’s strengths while gently supporting them to help weaker areas become stronger. Amanda pushes my girls to love what they do and in doing so, to improve their skills. I believe Amanda truly knows and cares about my daughters. In addition to her strength as a teacher, Amanda is surrounded by an amazing team –patient coaches and assistant coaches who understand how to motivate students both during lesson and practice times, making efficient use of the entire ice time. I honestly could not be happier with my experience at Riverblades Skating School and look forward to our continued time with Amanda and her team.”

“Amanda has been an amazing coach and role model for our daughter, Brooke. Brooke started skating when she was 3 and has been skating with River Blades for 8 years. Brooke was interested in competing but was a little intimidated by solo performances. Amanda really helped her get past that fear and she went on to compete in team and solo events in figure skating competitions for 6 years. Brooke has gained so much confidence over the years and has learned so much about perseverance, work ethic, goal setting and determination skating with Amanda.

Brooke decided a few months ago to play hockey. Amanda’s background in teaching hockey players power skating and hockey edges has been instrumental in Brooke’s transition to hockey.

Amanda has a very positive approach to coaching which makes skating with River Blades a positive experience for all of her skaters. She creates amazing opportunities for her skaters and brings in other coaches with the same attitude that she has.”

“Amanda exemplifies integrity as a great role model in the coaching field. She is truly “in it for the kids” and believes strongly in the life benefits that ice sports can bring to skaters of all ages. Her energy and genuine care for her clients and work are infectious. The Hastings community is fortunate to have such a dedicated professional at the helm of ice sports skills development.”