Should I get into Ice skating?

Question

I am around 12-13 in age and I want to get into dance or something. I love dancing and I like ice skating but have never skated. I'm scared of being laughed at by other people in my group and my closest rink doesn't do singles for beginners.

I could get my bestie to do it with me. Should I go for a practice run first not in a class. And how long does it take usually to learn jumps and stuff if your coordinated? Answer plz. Also I'd be the oldest in my group which is good but not if there is a younger person whos way better.

Answer 1

Im a figure skater aswell as dancer and trust me those sports compliment eachother! Not only that but skating builds differnt muscles than dancing does so it makes your body healthier.

Sorry im in SkateCanada so it might me a little differnt in your not from here...

All figure skating clubs have to offer canskate, which is a learn to skate program that you can be in as long as you are under 16. Most kids in canskate are 4-8 years old but they technically HAVE to teach you! There was a 16 year old and her friend doing it for a while at our rink and now they do local competitions and have a blast! I suggest bringing your friend with you. Not just so you feel more comfortible, but it will make the sport overall more enjoyable and you both will be learning at the same time.

If for some reason you don't have canskate or any learn to skate programs where you are find a coach you like. They can give semi-private learn to skate lessons to you and your friend, just contact them and they will tell you which sessions you belong on. Once you learn the basics and for some reason do not like jumping you and your friend could enter open pairs, ice dance, interpretive...etc The possibilitys are endless! As for learning jumps it all depends on the person, you sound like you would pick it up quickly since you already even have dance training. Some people can learn at least 2 jumps in a week. It is when you get to doing the doubles that you need a little more time on. Sorry that was long but I hope it helped, just remember that your never to old to start something new. Johnny Weir started skating when he was 12 and made it to the Olympics! :)

Answer 2

i just started skating and im 14. I also love dance and have been dancing since i was 3. I am taking lessons and there are 6 year old in my class!  But i sugesst you take it because you will regret not taking it later. I got my bestie to do it with and its soo much fun.  I dont think its too hard to learn simple stuff like i can do a few tricks and ive been doing it for a month so just go out there and give it a try

Answer 3

start skating!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I wouldn't worry about people laughing at you. The skating world isn't really like that. Most people are really focused on themselves because it takes a lot of concentration to work on skating, and everyone is always working on something.

I would say you could get through Basic Skills anywhere from six months to a year, depending on if you're in group classes or what.  People in privates progress faster but there's something to be said for not rushing.  Every skill builds on the ones you've learned, so being able to perform with strength and precision is better than rushing to the next thing.

On the side of dance, one advantage is that you can practice more places than just an ice rink, and you don't have to buy much special equipment - unlike skating which ends up costing money no matter what you do.  

But I will always choose skating over dance, personally.  It's fun to zip around at high speed!

Answer 5

It's okay you can do figure skating my friend started around your age too! it's ok and other people won't laugh at u either.yes u should go for a practice run first not in class just to feel the ice and get better! It takes a long time to learn everything just practice and practice even more!But your jumps might go wako when u grow that's ok because your going to get it back! Good Luck!

Answer 6

there is only one answer: SKATE!!!!

it is amazing!

youre never too old to start

anyone worth your time will not make fun of you

dance compliments skating very well

if youre not interested in competitive skating, just do it for fun, you won't regret it. if your best friend isnt interested 100% i wouldn't recommend having them skate with you, it could be a distraction if they aren't fully dedicated. its amazing fun, and you will love it. it's okay to be the oldest, you wont be in that level forever, and it will help you focus more if you arent distracted by a new friend. also, becaus eyou are older, our teacher will treat you like you are more mature, because you are. this will help you because they will teach you so you can move up levels, not just so you can learn.

i say go for it!!!

ive been a figure skater since i was 4 and have never loved any activity in my entire life. its perfect. and you would love it!

Answer 7

I started when i was your age! (This is where i get inspirational) Only what, like one or two years later and i am landing doubles consistently. I am going to the olympics in 2012. Oh yeah i got it all planned.

Ok so if i can learn that much in that little time, you can too. (or maybe not. i was a fast learner... but i say go for it. your young enough.)

I learned my first axel in two weeks, when i was injured, and i only had practiced it three times in those two weeks. I learned my first spin (scratch spin, pretty basic) in about a few months. However dont plan to land cool jumps or do fast spins soon, because the basics come first!! You have to master these.

Alright some basic info:

The usfsa (the united states figure skating association) will probably have group classes there. The levels are as following:

Snowplow sam 1 (The snowplows are for babies and kids, you dont want these)

Snowplow sam 2

Snow plow sam 3

Basic 1 (for beginners about your age since you dont know how to skate that well yet. if you enroll in this, you can get moved up at any time free if they think you would do better in a higher level)

Basic 2

Basic 3

Basic 4 (you learn back crossovers around here)

Basic 5

Basic 6

Basic 7

Basic 8 (You learn a waltz jump around here)

Freeskate 1 (you learn a scratch spin- fun!)

Freeskate 2

Freeskate 3(I think loop jumps and sit spins are around here)

Freeskate 4 (Flip jumps are here-ish)

Freeskate 5

Freeskate 6 (you learn camel spin, lutz, intro to axel around here)

All of the what you learn in those levels was my educated guess.  i help coach these classes) I cannot rattle it all off perfectly offhand, but you get the point.

Each class lasts two months and costs about 114$, I suggest starting in basic one or two maybe. If you cant get all of the skills, you just do it again. No biggie, it happens all the time.

As for your concern about being the oldest: Thats good. Youll be able to learn the fastest and comprehend what they are asking you to do. Any patterns or something youll be able to memorize faster than the kids.

YES YOU SHOULD GO FOR A PRACTICE RUN!! Go to a few public sessions so you feel comfortable on skates.

If you decide you like it enough, invest in a cheap maybe even used pair of ice skates for yourself.  (Youll save money in the long run because you wont have to rent a pair, also youll save yourself from falling because the skates they have are not even close to sharp. Get yours sharpened every 2-4 months)

DONT GET YOUR BESTIE TO DO IT IF SHE IS NOT GENUINLY INTERESTED.  skating costs alot, i dont think you should get her to do it with unless she really wants to. Most people dont have friends that do it with them, just make a couple friends in your class... even if they are 6 years old.

TIPS: When you get on the ice for a class and you dont know where to be, skate up to any coach or assistant and ASK! Anytime your unsure of something, ask.

Also be confident. Pretend like youve been doing it your whole life and you belong there.

Answer 8

Rinks do offer beginner classes so go ahead and sign up for the first one and don't be ashamed of your age or skill.  There are 8 basic classes in the usfsa program and then you start freestyle 1-6; which are the jumps and spins, but if you take private lessons you will learn them much faster.  Good luck to you!

Answer 9

sorry im not answering but you just ripped those words out of my mouth!!! im around 12 too and i love dance (even though i dont do lessons yet) and ive never skated, but it seems so much fun.