typo correction only.

I don't think age matters. If you're doing it for the love of the ssport might as well.

Personally I think that skating at a later age is better than skating when you are 3 or 4. When you are 3 or 4 you don't really understand why you are skating the only thing you really know is that, when you skate you are making mommy and daddy happy. When you get older you actually want to skate not someone forcing you. I started to skate at the age or 4 and hated it. When I was 8 I quit because I didn't want to do it any more. Now, older I love to skate and can't get enough of it and wish that I started when I wanted to.

Don't worry about skating at a later time. The only thing that would make you thing twice is the little 9 or 10 year olds doing doubles or tripples! Just ignore them.

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What Nourishes Me Destroys Me

Yes, that is somewhat disturbing hehe. Like this little 13 year old girl here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMK0fVZrmL4

That's just not acceptable!

Actually, I agree. At a later age, maturity and understanding, and memory has their advantages, that's for sure.

I just turned 12 and I am working on my flip and lutz. I started half an year ago. And I thought I was too old. lol

Don't look at those little monkeys doing Biellmann spins, just skate, skate, and skate, if that is what makes you feel good and you want to actually accomplish something.

It's so hard to ignore them though! And there's like.. 50 million of them every time I go practice. I mean, I'm 15 and started the beginning of this year, and I'm doing pretty well for a short amount of time.. but it still gets me a little discouraged when I'm struggling so much on like.. a scratch spin and there is the little 9 year old doing flying camels and triples and AHH! lol.

I totally KNOW how you feel. And for me it's even worse. I'm pretty tall for my age (but I'm slim and felexible hehe) and everytime I go to a public session I glance down to see little girls in fluffy skirts doing doubles and Biellmann spins. People FEAR my spiral beacause LOL I'm like...SWOOSH my leg in the air and someone's head is chopped off...

It's all about perspective. Compared to 99.99% of the people in the world, we are all REALLY good skaters! That's why it's good to skate a public session once in awhile, not just freestyles. You see yourself compared to the people in rental skates hanging onto the boards, and you realize you're really pretty good from the viewpoint of the average person.

Haha that is, in fact, one of the things that motivates me to skate, skate, and skate. People older than me (or younger. no matter) clinging to the boards for dear life. Yep.

But you're 11. That's better than 15. There are plenty of beginner 11 year olds.. not so many almost 16 year olds. At least not at my rink.

But almost 16 is a good age to start - by the time you're ready to start competing in earnest, you'll be old enough for the adult competitions!

So it's going to work out really well for you!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Hear, hear!

For any adult learners with doubts, watch KateSkate's willow waltz or doubletoe's free programme...this ladies started at age 21 and 27 respectively I believe....

S xxx (not that I'm jealous our anything lol! )

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Oh I know! It worked out pretty good I'd say. And adult comps are definitely something I would do.

It's the same for me, and I'm 44 (almost 45). Sometimes the wall-hugging kids (and unknowing adults) ask me if I'm a "professional" skater Yeah! don't I wish!!!!!

I don't care that there are little kids whizzing by doing stuff I can't do. I can do stuff they can't do only because they don't take the time to work on the basics. They have technical things down but I can skate with emotion and depth which is something they lack; I also have the 2nd highest spiral in my rink (only recently outclassed because I challenged the girl, aged 14). I also figure, if they waited until they were 40 to start, they would probably skate like me

So, if you look at the things you can do, you can put them in a class way above and beyond the little twirl girls. We are different and I really don't think there is any comparison worth making.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

The only comparison worth making is this one:

(A) YOU in 3 years if you don't start taking lessons now

VS.

(B) YOU in 3 years if you DO start taking lessons now.


That was the thought that made up my mind for me!

I may be the slowest progressing skater, around - but I have *fun*

Also, I am progressing!

What anybody else thinks, doesn't matter.

When the little darlings come up to me and ask to see my flip or axel, I counter with "let's see your mohawk or 3-turns" because I know theirs are really non-existant or very bad.......

But i'm there for a hug when they fall or are having a bad day; hairclips when they forget theirs; tissues and safety pins when they need them; and extra money when their mom dropped them off and forgot to give them $$ for the machine.

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

o yh i know i can skate round really fast without holding on n can skate on 1 foot without any help but that's all i seem to be able to do...and the people who skate on the sides do they not know that its actually better to not skate holding on as thats where people scuff their skates and the ice is much more slippery their ? o well that's life i gues but hmm yh neways...