Laura H
08-08-2006, 09:45 PM
I have posted a couple of times about my 8 year old son who skates, but I didn't mention at the time that I am also taking lessons (actually, at the time, maybe I wasn't)! But I have been back in lessons for about 12 weeks now and my enthusiasm is beyond that of any of my friends/family so I figured I'd better introduce myself and start chatting!!
I am 39 years old (no really!! :D ) and I started skating in January 2005 (our rink was on the ISI program then) and took lessons that whole year, took a break in the first part of 2006, then started back again in May and have been taking lessons since then. I live down south so did not have a chance to ice skate as a child, although I roller skated and rollerbladed as much as possible. When the rink opened near us a few years back, I kept meaning to go, and finally went with my kids on a "school night" and as soon as I stepped on the ice - I was HOOKED.
Our rink switched to USFSA (not sure if that is the right acronym?) so we have been adjusting to new elements and going back and picking up some things that we didn't learn in ISI. We are lucky enough to only have 4 adult students at the moment and we are all about the same level (somewhere around the Basic 7-8 level, although we do a few things from FS1) so we are still learning lots in group lessons. I also watch DS' lessons very carefully ;) he is somewhere in the FS 1 to 2 level so I get to see what the kids are doing too!
Right now I am ecstatic over a breakthrough with the one-foot spin - I just started getting comfortable last night in adult group - and took a private today and got a few more pointers, and then I skated with the kids' Basic 7 & 8 class this evening (had to make up a class, and the adults class is ONLY on Monday). I was so tickled that I could KEEP UP WITH THE KIDS! (DS wanted me to skate in his Freeskate class, but I respectfully declined ;) ). I have had a really hard time with spins (I love to jump though!!) but have been plugging away at the two foot spin and finally have gotten it steady enough to start lifting that foot. But yesterday was the first time when it started feeling natural . . . before that I just didn't get it at all!!
The other good thing yesterday was learning the waltz jump/ballet jump in combination . . . actually my first combo and it was fun to finally put 2 things together. So far I can do a waltz jump and the half flip, and DS says I did a toe loop the other day (he was trying to show me how it is done during the public session, but I would say it was very cheated at best!!).
OK, anyway, that's my story . . . hope to chat more with you in the coming weeks and beyond!!
I am 39 years old (no really!! :D ) and I started skating in January 2005 (our rink was on the ISI program then) and took lessons that whole year, took a break in the first part of 2006, then started back again in May and have been taking lessons since then. I live down south so did not have a chance to ice skate as a child, although I roller skated and rollerbladed as much as possible. When the rink opened near us a few years back, I kept meaning to go, and finally went with my kids on a "school night" and as soon as I stepped on the ice - I was HOOKED.
Our rink switched to USFSA (not sure if that is the right acronym?) so we have been adjusting to new elements and going back and picking up some things that we didn't learn in ISI. We are lucky enough to only have 4 adult students at the moment and we are all about the same level (somewhere around the Basic 7-8 level, although we do a few things from FS1) so we are still learning lots in group lessons. I also watch DS' lessons very carefully ;) he is somewhere in the FS 1 to 2 level so I get to see what the kids are doing too!
Right now I am ecstatic over a breakthrough with the one-foot spin - I just started getting comfortable last night in adult group - and took a private today and got a few more pointers, and then I skated with the kids' Basic 7 & 8 class this evening (had to make up a class, and the adults class is ONLY on Monday). I was so tickled that I could KEEP UP WITH THE KIDS! (DS wanted me to skate in his Freeskate class, but I respectfully declined ;) ). I have had a really hard time with spins (I love to jump though!!) but have been plugging away at the two foot spin and finally have gotten it steady enough to start lifting that foot. But yesterday was the first time when it started feeling natural . . . before that I just didn't get it at all!!
The other good thing yesterday was learning the waltz jump/ballet jump in combination . . . actually my first combo and it was fun to finally put 2 things together. So far I can do a waltz jump and the half flip, and DS says I did a toe loop the other day (he was trying to show me how it is done during the public session, but I would say it was very cheated at best!!).
OK, anyway, that's my story . . . hope to chat more with you in the coming weeks and beyond!!