How late is too late to learn figure skating?

Question

Is it possible to learn some jumps and spins when you r 40 yrs old?

Answer 1

Not impossible. There's a lady in her sixties I've been seeing regularly at the rink for almost as long as I can remember. It's more, you reach this stage when it's all the same - too late to start competing, but you can't get any worse, or later.

For assurance, anyhow, you might want to check out this site. http://www.skatejournal.com/ She's 42 this year, and only started skating seriously as an adult.

Answer 2

everyone asks this question

and yes, it is possible

Answer 3

It is possible to learn how to jump and spin and figure skate at any age. It will be quite a bit of work, but if you enjoy it you can certainly do it.

Answer 4

You CAN learn to skate at any age, really!  

I started in my mid 20's and never dreamed I would be jumping or spinning or competing . . . and I got to live it!!!  I know others who started even later . . . 30's, 40's . . . all the way up to 70's . . . it IS possible!!!  

There are group classes for the adult age range . . . you might want to look into that.  There's also "coffee club" (or it may be called other names) . . . which is an adult only session . . .usually around noon.  There are adults from beginners to advanced levels of all ages.  Sometimes a mini group class is included, if you choose to participate in it.  It's very social and everyone is understanding of where you're at with your skating (chances are there is someone just like you there!).  

There is a whole world of Adult Skating.  We even have our own Adult Nationals and Adult International competitions . . . how cool is that?!  You don't have to compete if you skate, but the option is there.  Some of my friends just like to do the occasional shows at the rink.  

Here are some links to adult skating:

Adult Skaters (if anything, read this one!!!)

http://home.pacbell.net/anamga/adultSkat...

Adult Skaters Focus

http://www.sk8stuff.com/m_adult.asp

Adult Figure Skating

http://figureskating.about.com/od/adultf...

Adult Figure Skating

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_figur...

Adult News (USFSA)

http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs....

What it means to be an adult skater

http://www.jhfsc.org/adultmeans.htm

Best of luck when you get your first lesson!!  Like the rest of us, you just might get hooked - wink!!!!

Answer 5

any age is OK....however competitive figure skating starts at five years old

Answer 6

Of course!  I have a lot of friends who didn't start skating until they were over 40.  It's great exercise, it's fun and fun to meet other adult skaters.  

Adult On-Set Skating Syndrome (AOSS) is gaining more popularity.  The skating gods finally recognized this a few years ago and in the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) has developed an adult set of group lessons within their Basic Skills program and have also established an adult test track for those interested in competing or just becoming more proficient in the sport.  I have done both -- skated as a kid and as an adult -- it's more fun to skate as an adult.  There isn't the catty-ness with the adults like there is in standard track competition.  Instead of snarling at your competitors, adults cheer each other on.  We all know we're not Olympic-bound, so we do it for fun and we do it for ourselves.

It's possible to learn anything you want as an adult skater.  There are adults who are working on triple jumps!  Check with your local rink to see if they offer the basic skills program or group lessons.  Basic skills get you up and running with beginning skating...crossovers, 3-turns, one-foot glides, etc.  For the USFSA (there is more than one organization in figure skating, but USFSA is the one I'm most familiar with.  usfsa.org), there are 4 levels in the adult group classes and 8 levels in the basic levels.  You can do one or the other, or as I do when I teach my adult skaters, we do both.  The adult levels are condensed, but there are important things missing (I think) from the basic levels that I incorporate into the adult class.  These leave off with beginning jumps and spins.  After that, you can move onto the free skate classes, which advance to more spins, jumps, edge work and more.  Group lessons are usually cheaper than private lessons, but it all depends on what your goals are.

Good luck and happy skating!  :)