Am i too old for iceskating?

Question

Hey

I'm 13 and all i want to do is ice skate all the time. Im ok i can skate round the rink and can go on 1 leg but i cant really do jumps or anything. I really really want to be an professional ice skater but am i too old?? I dont really go that often because my nearest ice rink is 40 minutes away. I'm alowed to get lessons but could i ever compeate?

Answer 1

That's a tough one. I've been a fan of skating my whole life because I'm from Canada where it is a huge sport. All I can say is that you have to get started with some lessons, learn the basics, get a coach and see if you have an affinity for the sport. You will have to build up strong quads and a strong back to be a good skater. Nothing should stop you if you really want to learn. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am telling all of you this onece and for all: There is no such thing as being too old for figure skating.

You need the right combinations: Perseverance, determination, and passion, you will need those especially when you are having an off day. Those days do pop their heads at times; and that is when you will go home angry, and frustrated, because you were doing fine and all of a sudden there is a glitch.

However, the next day, you lace up and back for more. SO NO ONE IS EVER TOO OLD FOR ANYTHING, especially if you have determination desire and passion.

Answer 3

sure you could ice skate, anybody could, and yes you could compete. just recreationaly though, because im sorry to say, your too old to ever be a proffesional, so dont be expecting to go to the olymics or anything. i mean you still could be a professional coach, but never famous. umm, well i would first start out with learn to skate classes, and advance in those. then get a private coach. when she/he thinks you are  she/he will probably ask you if you are willing to compete. it does take hard work. if you want to compete you will probably have to AT LEAST skate 2 times a week. even three. i skate every day, but i am very good. when you first start out if will probably only once a week. good luck! :D

ps... just a tip, theres more to life than figure skating....

Answer 4

since you are allready 14, and can only do one foot glides (pre alpha manuver)

I'd say honestly your chances of becoming a professional skater are very slim.

You'll need professional skates, (mine were 1600) a great coach, and to skate at least 2-3 times a week If you ever want to get near that good.

most of us started when we were very young, so you have a slight disadvantage.

Answer 5

You're never too old!  And yes, you can still compete at your age....and older!!  :)  Find a basic skills program in your area -- they're a great way to get your basics down and meet other skaters and coaches.  

The term "professional" can go a lot of ways in skating.  There are skaters who earn a name for themselves by competing on a world and national level, such as Olympic skaters, and many eventually turn professional.  Skaters also can be considered professional when they turn to coaching and get accredited or earn credientials such as joining the PSA.  OR there are also skaters who skate in touring shows, such as Disney On Ice or other shows where you may not know the skaters by name, but they are still great skaters.  Most people think of former Olympic or world skaters when they think professional, but there are many more than that.  

At 14, it is more of a challenge to get to those high levels of competition when a majority of those skaters started very young.....anything is possible though, but you may find that your professional skating career might pull you in a different direction.

Good luck to you!  :)

Answer 6

YES! you can compete I have been skating for less than one year, and I already have a solo. I couldn't stand up in skated, back then. But I did take skating when I was 4 for a year or so, but I quit. If you can already skate a bit you will be fine!

hope this helps! :)

Answer 7

My children are 13 and 15 and are both having lessons. In the 2 years they've managed to get from grade 1 to bronze. That is a whole 10 grades under their belts.

From what I have seen amongst their peers it seems to be the earlier they start the earlier they progress to certain grades but my guess is that there is probably another 10 years or more in you that you can use to progress through the sport.

It seems that, unlike a lot of sports, Ice skating is good at recognising the progression of each individual at the pace that suits them. Those who do other sports seem to progress a bit faster but that shouldn't proclude those that don't.

Answer 8

your never too old to start figure skating. Im 12 and im the same as you i can only do a waltz jump so far !!! if you have the chance to get lessons take them and of course you could compete !!! good luck with your skating

hope this helps !!!

Answer 9

well i am not an ice skater but if you put your mind to it and you really want to do it then i say go for it...you can do anything that you put ur mind to...i mean i didnt start snowboarding until i was a senior in high school and i am doing ok at it! good luck! have fun!

Answer 10

I think you are at the perfect age to begin skating! I am 26 and started skating seriously 6 months ago. I have lessons throughout the week but I am in a position to as my partner is an ice skating coach - I am very lucky! I am at a good standard but that is because I have a true passion for it and I am in love with skating. If you have a true passion for it and you can have a couple of private lessons a week with a good coach then you will be well on the way. I am working towards national figure skating tests too and have just completed a routine to music. If you can practice as much as you can inbetween lessons then that always helps. You need the basics though before you start jumping / spinning etc like edges and forwards/backwards crossovers etc. This past month or so is when I started introducing jumps and I can now do my first one foot upright spin. If you want it then it's out there for the taking. Age has no barriers. You sound like you are certain it's what you want so go for it - hope this helps you and good luck!

Answer 11

yes, you are not to old but you can compet most famise ice skaters are in there 20s I say go for it.

Answer 12

I don't think you are too old for ice skating. I took up ice skating when I was 14 but I was determined and I'm a quick learner. I got up from alpha to freestyle 2 n less than 6 months because I practised almost every day (there are pre-alpha,  alpha, beta, gamma, delta, freestyle 1-10). Each level has a few element. You could compete if you put your time into it. I didn't have that much time because I had to concentrate on studies (which is sad because I really prefer skating).

If you have previous ballet experience (roller blade/skate when you were young) you should be able to be more flexible and balanced on the ice easily =)

Goodluck =)

Answer 13

Hey Charlotte!

No your not too old at all to ice skate. All around the world there is both young and old people learning how to ice skate. Your still at a young age so go for it and do what you want to do!

Answer 14

No you are not too old and competition against better skaters will help you to improve your skating as you will see them do things that you wish you could do.

Answer 15

Hey! I'm almost 24 and I still compete!

If you're prepared to work hard and you're prepared to give up your time, then I have every faith that you can do it!

You're not too young to compete, but I'd say now is the time to start learning - try not to leave it much longer.

I started my skating lessons at the tender age of 5 and started pair skating at around about your age (well - a bit younger)

Since then I/We have grabbed every opertunity that we can to compete and just have fun! - We've even gone on to become  principle skaters! - I'm now an assistant coach too....

See how things can grow if you're prepared to work? - nothing is out of your reach! Live your dreams!

Best of Luck in whatever it is you decide to do!

if you need any help or advice on skating and such, please don't hesitate to email me!

Hugs

Jorja xx

[e-mail]

Answer 16

OF COURSE! it's NEVER too late to start just dont expect to be amazing really quickly, and since you odont take lessons yet you shouldnt be expecting to be doing jumps and spins independently. invest in some group lessons to get you started if you're really that seriosu and you realy like it then yeah continue but if you dont there's no point in continuing

Answer 17

If you want to skate you should go out and do it.

If you really have a dream for skating then the passion that you have for it will help your reach your dream.

Answer 18

We often think of "professional" skaters as the Olympic men and women we see on TV.  Touring pros from TV have large supporting casts of people just like you, girls and young men who can skate, but not compete.  The tour doesn't pay very well, but there will be something left after expenses, and if you are a minor, your parents can make arrangements for your money to be paid into an account for you after the tour is over.

There really is more to life than skating, but too often we are forced to give up our dreams by other people's "better ideas."  You don't have to give up your dream.  There are many wonderful skating teachers who dreamed the same dream you have.   They may be home makers, or teachers or stock brokers, but in the evening at the local rink, they teach 13 year old dreamers to become wonderful adults who grew up balancing the reality of life with the dreams of childhood.

Answer 19

Aggie wasnt too old why should you be

Answer 20

well the chances of going to the Olympics are slim, but still possible. But that doesn't mean that you can't go to local and maybe even national or international compettions. You just have to work very hard and skate. A LOT!

Answer 21

theres no reson why not,your never too old to do what you really want, keep going sweetheart you'll soon improve,what have you got to lose?,your'e still  so young anyway.go for it!!!

Answer 22

definately go for it

you may end up having to deal with some s****. people that think you should be doing quadruple whatevers when you're 4 years old but as long as you put effort into it when you're at the rink it's worth it.

That's tough that the rink is so far. Mine is about 5  minutes away from my house but i still only go about twice a week because my parents won't pay for more than that but everytime i go it is such a stress reliever and it gives me somewhere to channel my energy.

try taking up yoga or dance to help you out with flexibility and balance when you can't be on the ice or just stretch and balance by yourself (it's great with relaxing music).

as for competitions you can compete starting at pretty low levels so just ask your coach or anyone you think might know about competitions in your area.

Basically just have fun.

also i forgot to mention that the woman who runs my rink and organizes everything  and gives lessons is in her 80s (yes she can still wear skates!)

Answer 23

No youre not too old, there are tons of professional ice skating teams for adults

You would be perfect to compete because you sound commited

However to become professional you will have to put in the practice and attendance

Hope this is usefull :)