Pretty Neat – Snowplow 1-3 Review

The app is really helpful. It lists the skills that as shown in the US FIgure Skating basic skills program record book for the level purchased, in this case Snowplow Sam. Clicking on each skill launches a quick video that shows someone performing each skill. If the skill involves using both the right and/or the left foot, the video shows each one.You can rotate your phone to view the video in portrait view and much larger. That is about it- it simply has organized videos, no additional tips, tricks, etc. However, it is soooo much more helpful than the Record Book to see what you will be tested on. I like for the Snowplow videos that it uses a skater who appears to be about 5 years old. She performs the skills just like real snowplow skater would- i.e. very well, but not as smoothly as a 14 year old would. I also LOVE that the Snowplow 3 skater is wearing a helmet. I think that it is great that U.S. Figure Skating is tacitly encouraging kids and their parents to play it safe. At the Snowplow Sam age, kids genearlly don't have the speed or strength to tuck their chins when falling, nor the coordination to ensure that they don't take a nasty fall. I also purchased the adult app, since I take skating lessons at the same time as my daughter. The videos helped me to better understand some of the things that my coach had been trying to explaing to me. It was helpful to watch them over and over (whereas my coach generally only demos them once) so that I could watch for arm position, then feet, then body, etc. I think it will really help me when I practice, especially if I can't remember exactly what I was supposed to do.
Review by SkateMom on Snowplow 1-3.