How far can I go?

Question

Im 13, Ive been skating 3 months and ive got my grade 4, bt am i wasting my time? Am I too old? Will I ever be able to compete in larger competitions? I really love it, and im willing to train hard, bt i want to ask here before i go and ask my coach about it.

Answer 1

The real question is how far do you want to go? If you just want to compete in larger club competitions, then I don't see why not. If you really put your mind to it and work your butt off (This means work-out daily, eat right, and listen to your coaches) then you should be able to do it. As far as going to the olympics, your chances aren't all to great, but nobody's is. One of my coaches once said, "There is a very small window of oppertunity, but if you wait your turn, your just might squeeze through."

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 2

If you love it, you're not wasting your time.  Congrats to you for starting!  You're never too old.  A lot of skaters start at your age (and much much older!!) and while they don't intend on being Olympic bound -- which isn't the only thing in skating -- they still go on to reach high tests, do lots of shows, compete in tons of competitions and even do triple jumps.

I started at 12 and am still skating at 29, working on tests, trying new things like dance, still doing freestyle and still doing at least one competition a year.  I may not be doing triple jumps, but I love to skate, have made tons of friends and skating has allowed me to do things that I probably wouldn't have done otherwise, such as compete in Hawaii and go backstage at major skating shows.

The range of competition growing.  Basic skills competitions are gaining popularity for skaters who are involved in a group lesson program.  While these skaters may not even be doing jumps yet, they can still participate in competitions.  Also the USFSA, for example, has an adult track for skaters 21 and older with their own competitions (even an adult nationals) and testing track.  There are many opportunities for skaters of all ages to participate in all sorts of disciplines in skating, but for some reason, they're not as highly publicized as the Olympics.

Mainly, if you love skating, do it for you.  Along the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to do things involving skating.  Good luck and skate hard.  :)

Answer 3

AS long as you are having fun it doesn't matter how far youg get. As long as you are having fun with it who cares, right? If you work hard you can get to big competitions. Don't worry about it.

Answer 4

at thirteen....probably not.

there is still a chance, but no one in womens figure skating has ever done it before.

tons of girls train hard. like mirai nagasu and caroline zhang were only 14 when they were in junior/senior!

i'd say most 13 year olds who could possibly make it to the olympics are in intermediate or above, landing all of their doubles and 1 or two triples, level 2 spins, and they qualify for jr. nationals.

if you look at all of the girls who are on the podium today, all of them have been to jr. nationals at some time or another.

you'd have to train alot, skate 6-8 hours a day and do countless hours of off-ice training and stretching to catch up.

then you'd have to pass your moves in the field

and pass your freestlye tests

and compete in other competitions.

like i said, its never been done before, but if you want to try.

i dont think you are wasting your time! skating is a fun sport! its okay if you just want to do it for recreation. or go at  your own pace and enter lower competitions. its not like you didnt accomplish anything if you dont go to the olympics!