Figure skating at 13.?

Question

I'm taking figure skating lessons, and my 6 week course is ending soon, i can skate now, and i have learnt my first jump, and i can now skate on one leg, and i can do various other tricks my coach has taught me, (basic stuff) like speed skating backwards. At the rate i'm going, do you think i can get good enough to compete, with time?

I'm 13, am i too old?

Answer 1

FORGET WHAT THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING EXEPT THAT YOU CAN COMPETE AT ANY LEVEL YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY WONT BE  COMPETING AGAINST PEOPLE YOU'LL BECOMPETING AGAINST THE RULE BOOK  SO AS LONG AS YOU DO EVERYTHING RIGHT YOU'LL GET FIRST PLACE (YOU WONT BE COMPETING AGAINST PEOPLE PROBABLY BECAUSE THEYLL SEPERATE YOU BY AGE)

Answer 2

you can compete, but if you are thinking like olympics, most of those kids start at like 4. Unless you are incredibly gifted, you can definately compete in local competions.

Answer 3

u are making good progress

if u keep improving a lot, u can get better

but not to discourage u oranything chances of u going to the olympics are quite slim

most kids start really young

i started at age 8 and i was too old

though if u practice really hard and have a lot of talent

u might make it

anyone can get good enough to compete

u will be able to soon

g'luck :)

Answer 4

It takes a LOT of time to be able to compete.

I've been skating for quite a few years and I'm not even a fraction close to being that good yet.

But keep skating, try hard, and do your best.

And remember that each and every time you skate you're getting better and better!

:)

Good luck, and keep skating.

Answer 5

You'll have disadvantages, but you could be able too. You'll just have to start as if you were say... 6 or 7 years old, but you'll be able to get better than a 6 or 7 year old would, at a FASTER pace. You'll do fine!

Answer 6

You can compete now i beleive. You just have to be in Basic Skills or Freestyle, which i assume you already are. And you can compete at any of those levels if its basic 1,2,3,4.......ext. and Freestyle 1,2,3,4,5.... I competed at these levels when i was younger. But still i see no reason why a thirteen year old can't.

Answer 7

Not at all. competitions are for any level and age, but you do have a slight disadvantage.  you would have to make up for your age by practicing really hard.  with a coach you can progress as far and as fast as you want.  keep practicing.

most of all have fun and don't worry.  stay in the moment and try your best.

Answer 8

Well, if you're looking to go to the Olympics, you definitely got a late start. If you're looking to just skate in smaller-scaled competitions, then you are never too old to compete. I know a lot of 50 + skaters at my rink that do competitions, so if they can do it, so can you :)

-- Lovisa

Answer 9

yeah, thats great. skate over the summer and better your skating skills and learn more things (spins, higher jumps etc) and you can probably do  ISI (http://www.skateisi.com/site/) later in the year.

to compete you are going to need a program which means you need a private coach. DO NOT (i repeat) DO NOT get a choreographer. at your level its just a waste of money. check your local rink for coaches, a lot of group lesson coaches also do private coaching too.

since you are older

its not likely that you'll make it to the olympics, but hey, there can always be a first if you want to try, but you have to be extremely dedicated, even more dedicated than the girls doing this for most of their lives (thats hard)

hope you have fun competing :D

Answer 10

You can compete at pretty much any level There are basic skills 1-8 competitions, freestyle 1-6, and all the official levels of competition. Those levels are from prepreliminary to senior. They might vary depending on where you live, for example Canada.

Sounds like you are doing well. Learn some spins and you would have a nice program to showcase. You should consider a basic skills competition as of now.

Good luck to you!

// Ignore those shattering your olympic dreams. I'm not saying get your hopes up, because your chances are slim. I'm just saying that age of starting is not considered for the team, it's skill. Johnny Weir started at 12, Alicia Sacramone, a gymnast, started at age 8. Both are the highest level possible. Other skaters have started young, like Danielle Kahle for example, and she hasn't made the team. Bebe Liang has been skating a very long time and is only now looking at a chance aftert finally making the World team.

At your level it looks slim, but you can still try to get to that level, it's possible. Just practice as best you can. And when you are older there are also Adult Competitions.

Answer 11

No, you're not to old.

If it is your intention to compete then I would talk to your parents about starting with private lessons. You will advance faster by having a private instructor and you will need one if you want to compete. Talk with the skating director where you skate or your group lesson coach on how to get started.  

Also, you will need your own pair of figure skates if you don't already have them. A good pair will run from $90-$200. Again, talk with the skating director or coach if you need to find a skate shop or dealer in your area.  You'll want someone to fit you properly in your new skates for best results.

If case your wondering, you can compete at the Competitive Test Track levels that USFS offers. The first level is Limited  Beginner and it is a 1:30 program to music. Below are the elements.  

Limited Beginner:



Two upright spins, no change of foot (min 3revolutions)

Jumps with not more than one-half rotation (front to back or back to front).

Jump sequences are allowed. Maximum 5 jump elements.

Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program

Good Luck!

Answer 12

Well, obviously you have a slight time disadvantage, but on the plus side, you have had time to think what you are doing over and you have drive. You can start competing at any level and even the lowest skaters can do little waltz jumps and cross overs at competitions. Just get a program started and see where skating takes you!