Ice Skating Classes??

Question

I want to take ice skating at Polar Ice in Phoenix/Tempe Az because it is the closet rink to my house. Is this a good rink to take classes at or should I find a different one? I have some pretty raw talent of my own, but want to get better and learn how to do the advanced spins and jumps (like a lutz and triple sow cow for example). Also, I took classes when I was young, but then I had to quit, but I tought myself how to spin and skate on one leg and spin on one leg. If I got good enough and trained hard, could I still compete and possibly go to the olympics if I was good enough? Also, do I have to take ballet or gymnastics? I forgot which one helped with the ice skating. Thanks for everybodys' help.

Answer 1

you didnt mention your age and your age right now is an important factor to your first question.

you dont have to take ballet or gymnastics but it'll help with your skating. ballet helps with the grace, artistry, and flexibility while gymnastics help with stamina, strength, and flexibility also. its spelled "salchow" by the way.

Answer 2

Hey :) Do you mean the Polar Ice in Chandler? I don't think there is one in Phoenix/Tempe, although there is one in Peoria. I take classes at the one in Chandler, it's a really good rink! How old are you? They have a bunch of different classes for all ages, even really young kids, as well as teens and adults. I think it would be easy for you to get started because you already know how to skate and do a spin. I think if you want to go to the olympics, it depends how old you are and how hard you work. Pretty much all the skaters in the olympics started at a really young age. You can still participate in competitions. I'm in group lessons and it's really fun, I think you should definitely go to Polar Ice. Oh, they have a lot of public sessions too, so you can practice a lot :) I think ballet and gymnastics would be helpful, but it's not necessary to take. Just to let you know, the ice rink also includes the Polar Gym, which has martial arts classes and other classes to help work on strength, thai boxing, and help you with skating.  If you have any questions, I guess you could just put them as additional details because my e-mail is on private. Good luck and have fun, maybe I'll see you there! :)

P.S. The next Learn to Skate class session is from July to August, you can still sign up, but you should sign up asap. The website is polaricechandler.com, if you wanna see their schedule or any other info.

Answer 3

okay! figure skating is a lot of fun! but its gonna take you AWHILE to get a triple salchow, (a triple salchow is three revolutions in the air)

you can still compete in lower levels, like basic skills or isi.

but the olympics are far far away. even the girls who train endlessly their whole lives might never make it to the olympic podium. even though you might be training, they are training 3-6 hours a day, and doing countless hours of off-ice and stretching.

since you are mainly skating for fun (thats what it should be about) and you are starting out, ballet and gymnastics arent really important torwards your skating.

i just do excersize and stretches on my own (its free*)

Answer 4

um...its called Salchow. Not sow cow. You should start but I wouldn't dream of the Olympics at this age. Olympic skaters start when they are like...2! You would have to practice practice practice to even compete!!! I am 11 and I am on my double Axel. Since you are a beginner, I bet you would be competing by the time you are 15. But I wouldn't get your hopes up for the Olympics! And you would have to take ballet and gymnastics.