Is easy to convert from roller skating to ice skating?

Question

I've roller skated since I was really little, I'm part of a competitive club. I've always wanted to try iceskating but

I've only been ice skating a few times. I'm wondering if it is eaiser than rollerskating.

I've rollerskated for 12 years, I'm 19 now. Could I be to old to start?

Answer 1

It is never too late to start skating.  GO FOR IT!

Answer 2

Give it a try!  There was a girl who was a great roller skater skate at our rink for awhile.  Obviously she picked up on things very quickly, but had to change her technique.  She had most of her double jumps, but they were all landed on a flat due to her roller skating history.  She did okay, but didn't skate with us too long....only a year or two.  

Your background would probably help you excell very quickly, but you may have to make adjustments to some of the techniques you use.

Good luck!

Answer 3

i think roller skating and figure skating is different, how different will depend on the person. For a start on the figure skating blade you have edges, on the roller skates you don't, which means if you are a roller skater then you will have to learn that.

But if you want to do it....nothing should stop you...

we live once....enjoy life to the full....

Answer 4

Maybe, I only roller skate every now and then and really really suck at it. Sadly my skating abilities are only good on the ice. But you might adjust pretty well to the ice, you won't know until you try it.

Answer 5

It's never too late to start ice skating. It sounds like you are at a very high rollerskating level and that is going to be a great boon.  I know there is a pairs team that used to skate at my rink who started on roller skates.  Some moves are different (think spins: you use the sweet spot/rocker on an ice skate, and don't roller spins happen on the heel wheel?) but there's a lot of similarity.

I have a friend who started on quad skates and she had to learn not to be so stiff legged on crossovers and to really bend into her edges.

Answer 6

well the good thing is that ice skates will feel way lighter than rollerblades....and it's similar in the way jumps go but whole different thing apart from that....

i say give it a try

Answer 7

Tara Lipinsky was a roller skater. Many of the speed skaters who place in the Olympics were roller skaters. As a younger adult roller skater, ice coaches actually tried to recruit me at ice sessions, because they thought I trained in ice. I am currently a roller sports coach, and when I take my skaters to their first ice session (we occasionally crosstrain on ice and on outdoor tracks), they look very silly for about 1/2 hour... but after about 2 hours of supervision on ice, they can do most of their roller content... but with more ease of execution. Unsupervised, they would probably accomplish less. And of course, it takes a lot longer to feel mentally comfortable on ice, if you are a roller sports competitor, but it is certainly less strenuous.

Most roller freeskaters who make a permanent separation from roller and go to ice can add 1/2 to 1 complete revolution to whatever jump content they had. Unfortunately few cross over completely (I hated falling on what seemed like a wet brick) and going back and forth does not help either discipline. There are too many executional differences.

Another caution if you are considering a crossover...

Whether you are a dancer, singles skater or pairs skater, you will be required to test into an event before you can participate at the level you have achieved in roller. This will take time and effort. I've seen senior dance teams from roller move over to ice for an Olympic shot... only to get bogged down in the test system. This is a good thing, though. It keeps the ice event quality up. No event dabbling there.

Please go ahead and try ice to satisfy your curiosity. I did... scooped up a couple medals, and ran back to my roller sports as fast as I could. Others cross over and stay. You're never too old, and your roller sports traing will provide good foundation for supplemental training on ice.

Additional note: Roller sports really needs to keep our dedicated skaters, so I hope you satisfy your curiosity and come back home :-)

Answer 8

u might be to late to compete unless u have a natral talent but it is NOT easy to swich trust me they r totally idffernt anyway iceskating is a a great sport so go for it

Answer 9

You are never too old to start!

Ice-skating is extremely similar to inline skating since the "blades" are positioned in the same spot. It should be a fairly easy transition!  Good luck!

Answer 10

I know several "adults" who started ice skating coming from a competitive roller skating background.  In no time they have transferred to the ice fabulously!  

They all look "powerful" - as I believe technique is muscled in roller skating.  The ones I know say it feels "easier" (the glide).   Experienced roller skaters will already know most of the figure skating moves . . .there will be adjustments in the technique, and of course the equipment . . .but certainly it wouldn't be like starting ice skating from scratch.  Many ex-roller skaters look like they've been figure skating for a long time even though they haven't!!  And if you were competitive in roller skating, your experience will help once you start competiting/testing on ice as you already know the ropes!  

As told by one roller skater, ice skates are easier on the body than roller skates as well.  If you think about it, with ice skates you are on one skinny blade . . . when you lean, the blade leans, which means it aligns with your legs as it moves.  But with roller skates, your foot is planted on those four wheels even when you lean, so that stresses your ankles, knees, and hips.  Also, the impact on falling on the floor is probably greater than on ice (where you can slide).  I'd have to say almost all the ex-roller skaters I know have some type of chronic pain in the legs/hip/back area.        

If you want to try ice skating, go for it!  But do give it a chance - but you've got to put time into it.  With 12 years of roller experience, many things will come easy, but some things you may have to tackle.  It's similar but different on ice . . . so go into it with an open mind.  

One gal I knew did group classes from the beginning (since that was the cheapest route) to make sure she could do everything.  In less than 2 months, they made her skip most of the levels and she was attempting axels (she had all her doubles in rollers).  Spinning was difficult for her for a long time - but then again, another friend went straight to beautiful camels off the bat.  So, you never know until you try!  

I putzed around in roller skates as a kid but didn't come to the ice until my mid 20's.  I competed and got to double jumps without any "real" previous skating experience.  So you at 19, with 12 years skating experience, I think you could do very well!!!  

Best of luck!!!!

Answer 11

It is never to old to figure skating but I don't think in my opinion that roller skating is anything like figure skating and that it will be like learning a brand new sport