How to go back to figure skating?

Question

I figure skated for 10 years and quit about 5 years ago. I have passed through pre-juvenile moves in the field, preliminary free skate,and silver dance. I would like to go back just for fun and continue taking test but not competing. Can I just pick up where i left off, assuming i can perform all the necessary requirements to still pass the previous test? Or do i have to start all over? Because I am now over the age of 18 does that effect if i can take the regular test or to i have to test in the adult test? Any advise would be great! Thanks

Answer 1

I am pretty sure you have to test in the adult tests. If you want to compete as an adult for fun, consider joining ISI. It is cheap and not so cut-throat, especially for adults.

Answer 2

Start with just skating again and then just see what you can do. If you would like you can start working with a coach and they will be able to instruct you in the best way to start skating again. Most of the time the skating skills will come back pretty quickly and you will be able to start fairly close to where you left off. In the USFSA you start the adult testing after you turn 21. You can go to  http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.... for more information on the competitive skating and the adult skating. Good luck!

Answer 3

You can pickup right where you left off. It sounds like you want to compete in the "no test" field and it doesn't advance your competition level but you are still judged & awarded accordingly.

Answer 4

I'm not very sure. You do mean under USFSA right? Since you are not competing, the tests don't really mean anything. In my opinion, a certificate just flags your milestones in black and white. If you want to take skating as serious recreational sport, does it really matter?

Since you've quited five years ago, you should be able to do most of the moves. That is not guaranteed though. Certain muscles are often used in skating and once you stopped, they might have lost their strength. So, you may need to condition yourself.

How to go back to figure skating? Lace up a pair of Figure skates [if they still fit], and go back onto the ice. Only then will you know what you can do. Only then will you feel the rush of exhilaration.

Best of luck.

Answer 5

You will be able to get back into it. Everything is muscle memory and it'll come back like that ::snapfingers::. I'm fairly sure you can continue testing where you left off, but you may want to try and talk to someone at your rink to double check.

You won't have to take adult tests, my friend is 22 and still taking regular skating tests. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Your story sounds similar to mine.  When I returned to skating, I just went at my own pace.  In a few months, I worked my way back up to where I was when I quit.  I have found that being older isn't exactly a disadvantage.  Being older comes with maturity and with that, more attention to detail and a longer attention span.  I now pay a lot more attention to doing things technically correct and probably work harder on areas I need improvement over what I am good at.  I think I actually do some things better now than I did skating as a kid.  It all comes back, but be careful with spinning...after not spinning for so long, doing it again made me nautious.  :)  haha

If you still have your USFSA number (or even if you don't, if you contact the USFSA), they can pull up the tests you have already taken and passed.  Then when you want to test again, you do just pick up where you left off.  At 18, you can still test standard track.  Adult track is for skaters 21 and over, which based upon how far you test in standard track, you are "grandfathered" into some of the adult tests.  For example, I tested and pased preliminary moves and free, so that put me at an adult bronze level...skipping pre-bronze.

Good luck on your comeback!  :)