figure skating tips & links
Used under a Creative Commons license.
Credit: Pasi Lepola
You can learn how to skate at any age! You can take private lessons, as Kaitlin does in Breaking the Ice, or group lessons. If you're new to skating, group lessons are the best place to start because
To find out how to take lessons, you can call the rink closest to you, or check out this list of skating clubs on the US Figure Skating Association's website. Many clubs offer group lessons. While you're there, you can also look at the Basic Skills page, which has a lot of information on stuff like what to wear to your skating lesson, what you'll learn, and when you should look into private lessons. (If your local rink uses the Ice Skating Institute for its group lessons, you can find out more information on ISI's website.)
So now you're signed up for lessons! Yay! What else should you know?
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- they're less expensive
- they usually include the cost of skate rental
- you can figure out if you really like skating before committing to private lessons
- you can meet other kids new to skating
- you can meet the coaches and decide who you'd like to take private lessons from
To find out how to take lessons, you can call the rink closest to you, or check out this list of skating clubs on the US Figure Skating Association's website. Many clubs offer group lessons. While you're there, you can also look at the Basic Skills page, which has a lot of information on stuff like what to wear to your skating lesson, what you'll learn, and when you should look into private lessons. (If your local rink uses the Ice Skating Institute for its group lessons, you can find out more information on ISI's website.)
So now you're signed up for lessons! Yay! What else should you know?
- practice! If your lesson is once a week, you'll improve much faster if you can practice at least one other time during the week.
- skates -- if the rental skates you get at your lesson leave your ankles turned inward, you can take them back to the counter and ask for another pair. If you're not sure if the skates fit well, ask one of the coaches.
- gloves! Don't forget your gloves. Ice is cold!
- practice -- whether you're practicing at a public session, during your lesson time, or at a club or freestyle session, it's important to keep a eye on the other skaters around you. This is especially important when you start learning to skate backward, which means you need to check behind you (often!) to avoid running into other skaters. If you're on a public session, know the rules of what you can and can't practice, and work on smaller moves (turns, spins, etc.) in the middle. If you're on a freestyle or club session, know the rules about right-of-way and where on the ice certain moves should be practiced.
- Check out this website for more great tips! (Including how to identify all of those skating moves!)
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Used under a Creative Commons license. Credit: kyo628