Ice Skating Virgin..Off skating next week?!?

Question

Hi x

Well, me and my friends have decided to go ice skating for her birthday, im really looking forwards to it cos we will have a laff. BUT ....lol. But its my first tym and im worried i will b rubbish?! Im a cheerleader, so i have good balance. and tht also means im strong.[[mentally & physically]] so when i fall down, my strength helps me to stop myself & to tell myself to keep trying it. But im worried ill th only one layed on th floor haha. Ive also heard about when u have fallen, and ur hands are on the floor, people can run over ur fingers...shopping them off?!

My questions are...

*How can i not get my fingers Skinned/Off?

*Should I Wear Padding? [[Knees]]

*Wht Are The Best Techniques For Begginers?

Cheers,

x c x

Answer 1

When doing normal skating you don't need padding because you wont be going very fast, my only advice, Remember that you are skating, not walking, many people try to walk on the ice and it just results in bruises. As so your hands, wear gloves and dont keep your hand on the ice for too long, when you fall just get up quickly.

Answer 2

Hey...

I don't ice skate much but the first time I went I didn't wear padding of any kind.. It doesn't hurt that much if you fall from basic skating. Also if it is your first time the chances are that you wont be going too fast that it would hurt to fall..

If you do fall over, srunch your fingers in to make a fist with both hands.. this will stop people 'skinning them off'! lol..

Good luck.. I'm sure you'll have great fun :) xx

Answer 3

Don't worry!  Go and have fun!  In all of my years of skating, I've never seen anyone lose a finger.  Cut them, scrape them, yes, but lose one, thank God no!  :)  I've seen people smack their heads and split them open more often.  

You can wear padding if you'd like.  Some skaters wear what they'd wear to roller blade, but most don't wear anything padding wise.  You'll probably do just fine in some yoga pants, a sweater/sweatshirt and mittens/gloves.  As you know, you're not as flexible in jeans and if they get wet from falling on the ice, they don't dry as quickly.

As for actual skating, before you get out onto the ice, make sure your skates are tied tightly at the ankle.  If you have little ankle support, it will make skating more difficult.  Once you get on the ice, start close the the wall/side and take small marching steps.  Use your arms for balance and keep your knees bent.  Once you feel a little more confident, try pushing like you would in roller blades, using the sides of your blades, staying off the toes.  After a few laps, you'll be fine and I'm sure you and your friends will have a blast.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Hey, I've had experience with a few ice skating virgins and they did prett awesome once they got the hang of it. No kidding even the third grader i took one time did really well after a couple times around she didnt even need the wall.  For your first question, you would have to be pretty clumsy to get your fingers chopped off just be watchful of the people around you, besides  you're a cheerleader so i know you have coordination. You dont need padding just a jacket and gloves(and maybe a hat if its outdoors).Dont forget your jacket b/c if you're cold what will you wear,while if you do have it you can take it off if you're hot. ummmm for the techniques if they're not skaters they'll all be working on not falling but you can try some simple moves like swizzles(move your feet in and out in a circular motion ,helps if you want to skate backwards also)or skating backwards(some virgins get it right away others are just all over the place) . Most of the time when people go in groups they make up games to see who can do the most. But anyway im sure you'll do fine and have lots of fun. Dont bail out!

Answer 5

You're going to have fun!

Like other said, don't worry about padding or losing your fingers.  If you fall, get up quickly, don't lay around all splayed out on the ice and you'll be okay.  Getting up can be a little slippery. A good  way to get up is to get on your hands and knees first (like a dog), then put one foot/blade on the ice, put your hands on your knee, and push up into a stand.  

One trick that can be hard to remember - but if you can remember it, it will help - if you feel like your falling bend your knees and grab them with your hands. It's a lot harder to fall from that position.  Don't flail up and backwards.

Did you ever rollerskate?  If you can mimic that motion of sort of shifting weight side to side, and gliding forward on each foot, you'll do great.  You can also do "swizzles" or "fishies" - you push your feet out, then curve them back in.  

Have fun and feel like you're flying!