In a tropical country like Indonesia, is inline skating the best way to practice figure skating?

Question

Because I once tried ice skating in Korea, and now I want to study figure skating, and figure skates are rare and expensive, so maybe that's a good way?

And if I mastered artistic inline skating, what would be the difficulties when one day I figure skate?

Answer 1

Are you anywhere near these rinks?  

Sky Rink Jakarta

Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]

Mal Taman Anggrek Lt. 3, Jl Letjen, S. Parman Kav 21 Jakarta 11470, Indonesia

http://www.skyrinkjakarta.com/default2.a...

OR

Arena Ice

Tel. [phone] Fax.[phone]

Jl. Pasirkaliki 121-123, Bandung

INDONESIA

http://www.patine-jp.com/asia/index.html...

http://www.istanaplaza.co.id/en/stores/t...

The best way to practice figure skating is to actually figure skate on ice - and to learn from a trained instructor.  The next closest thing would artistic inline skating, as you mentioned . . . but even so, you would progress faster and "correctly" with an instructor . . . if that is at all possible.

Do look into inline artistic skates http://www.skatelog.com/artistic/inline-... as they are closest to "ice" figure skates.  You may find the are just as, if not more, expensive than "ice" skates.  The standard inline skates (or roller blades) won't allow you to do most figure moves.  

If you master inline artistic skating, it's possible you would transfer to "ice" figure skating fairly well after some adjustment time.  I know many competitive quad roller skaters who have done well switching to ice.  Spinning technique is different - as well as stops.  You'd have less equipment (no clunky wheel frame/wheels) - just one sleek blade . . . more freedom of movement . . . but it also means less room for making certain mistakes (toe stop vs slender toe picks).  Many feel it's easier to speed on ice.  There are similarities, yet big differences in technique/timing . . . but at least it wouldn't be like having to completely start over in skating if you become advanced with inline artistic skating.  You will have muscle memory from inline artistic technique that may both help and hinder your ice skating . . . just give yourself time to adjust.    

Here's a video of an Indonesian ice skater in "training" . . . check it out!  The intro has Michelle Kwan!  

Sports Dreams Indonesian Ice Skater by Michelle Kwan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVo9PSYDR...

Best of luck to you!!  If skating on ice is out of the question, I hope you can get some training in wheels - better to skate somehow than not skate at all, right?!