Videotaping skating practice

[peanutskates]

I would really like to videotape myself skating and doing some elements so I can see what I look like and what I need to work on. The last video I have of me skating is from Sweden (a few months ago) and I notice lots of mistakes. I really need to see a video of myself now to see if I have improved. *BUT*

Our rink has a policy that doesn't allow videotaping or photography on the premises. I understand their motives for this, child pornography etc, but my mum was reprimanded by a steward the other day before she got a chance to tape me. Now, really - at the time, there were about 7 skaters on the ice, I was in a corner with no other people there, my mum was aiming the camera straight at me and I (obviously) know her. This is hardly suspicious.

Now if I were a rink warden, I would use my judgement. All the wardens are skaters (even if recreational hockeyists) and can surely understand!!! i guess than when i get good enough for patch, they might make more allowances.

how did you overcome these problems if you ever came by them?

[NickiT]

Our rink states that the rink manager's permission must be sought if you wish to use a camera or video camera. However since I skate on a daytime patch where the handful of skaters are over 18 anyway, I don't see it as a problem, although I have requested permission from the manager before. If I were you I'd seek permission from your manager. If you are skating on a quiet patch it shouldn't really be a problem, what they really don't want is people videoing on a public session and capturing other people's children. Personally I think all this videoing restriction is going way over the top.

Nicki

[Ice Dancer]

Me too, my rink won't even allow photography which is ridiculous. I have taken photos there with my phone, but am always worried about getting caught!

Do you, or a friend or relative, have a high quality video camera on your phone? Some of them these days are fantastic if you set them to high quality rather than MMS quality, I know mine is and I've seen some even better. That might be better than nothing, and more discreat so you can use it without even noticing. You'd have to get someone else to film it for you but it might be better than nothing.

[Sessy]

Our rink is totally different... But then, we're in the Netherlands.

Here, I'm pretty sure it would be a problem (more with the club than with the rink really) if I tried to tape a figure skating lesson but public sessions are no problem.

I have my boyfriend film it at public skating sessions with a digital photocamera that gives pretty good film quality. At public skating sessions, a lot of people are making pictures - teenagers are making group photos and "look at me lifting my leg" photos, parents are filming their kids' first ice steps - and nearly nobody is wearing skating dresses (actually, make that nobody, only in the holidays at 9 AM skating sessions there's sometimes some people with skating dresses but that's not when BF films me) so it doesn't look very suspicious.
Besides I'm so often hanging out at the rink for every opportunity to skate that the personnell is asking me if I was sick if I skip more than 1 day in a row and comment on my progress.

[Morgail]

Wow, that's quite a restriction! People are always taking photos and videos at the rinks where I skate. I agree with what the others have said - ask the management. Tell them what you want to do and why, and assure them that you will try not to get anyone else in the video. Maybe if you can get to a session where there are mostly adults skating, that might help (if the purpose of the rule is to prevent taping of minors). It might also help if you can get your coach, or the club director, to back you up.

[Mrs Redboots]

The person to discuss this with is your teacher - the rules might be different for patch ice and public sessions. Maybe he or she could video you?