I'm a Sixteen year old boy just starting Figure Skating. Does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? Is there any chance for someone my age to make it anywhere? I plan on eating and breathing anything and everything to help me progress.

Welcome to the sport!

It depends on what you mean by "make it anywhere". If you mean being good enough to make the World or Olympic team, there probably isn't much chance. Heck, there isn't much chance even if you had started when you were 5! Don't worry about that, and focus on the journey. It's a whole lot of fun learning new skills.

Many of us on this board began when we were MUCH older than you. I was 37, and I skate well enough now to compete at Adult Nationals and teach beginners. There are competitions available for skaters at all levels, if that's what you'd like to do. Once you turn 21, you're eligilble for adult competitions, and those are pretty cool. (I'm assuming you're in the US - if not, you'll have to see what opportunities are available in your country.)

Once you get past the basic skills level, you might consider learning some ice dance. Even if you don't want to compete as an ice dancer, guys can make some extra money partnering girls through their dance tests, so it's worth thinking about. If you like team sports, you might check out whether there is a synchro team in your area that you could join.

There are lots of different things to do in skating, and I'm sure you'll find your place! Have fun!

You may well not make it to the very top, but there's no reason you won't make an excellent competitor in a couple of years - competitions start almost as soon as you do, and if you enjoy performing, you're already ahead of the game.

Relax and enjoy it. Skate as often as you can, and make sure you have plenty of practice-time between lessons. It's the greatest sport there is, and will last you a lifetime - there are skaters in their 70s still competing, and I've even skated against someone in his 80s.

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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!

Thank you both very much. I had no idea that there were competitions for adults!
I'm very happy to know that, Yeah, I probably won't make it to the Olympics but I can become a good competitor in other things.
I am homeschooled and I have three ice rinks within 15 minutes of my house. I have always wanted to figure skate but never did I have an ice rink within two hours and now that I moved and have an opportunity, I am going to try in every way possible to become the best I can be.

I just found out I won't be starting for 8 weeks
So in the meantime, I'm going to get in shape with pilates and yoga! Does anyone know something else I can do to improve myself? What should I work on glutes/legs/core etc.?
I'm definitely an over achiever so anything and everything I can do...I will.

You can't start lessons for 8 weeks, or can't get to the rink at all? I started going to the public sessions 2 months before I started lessons and am glad I did. My balance improved a lot, and my legs got much stronger. You'll do much better when you do start lessons if you've been skating already.

So far as words of wisdom...Just ignore what narrow minded people think about male figure skaters.

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I'm a boy, and I can figure skate if I want to.

^Agreed. I started actually skating public sessions before I was able to take classes, and by the time I started classes there were some things I already knew how to do (we're not talking sit spins or anything, but my crossovers were getting up there and such, I was experimenting with edges and learning to stop, etc.). Might as well not waste class/lesson time and money tottering around your first steps on the ice if you haven't skated before...don't try to teach yourself anything you're not 100% sure about because you don't want to pick up bad habits, but you can certainly start working on stroking, stopping, crossovers, etc. especially if you read a lot about how these things are properly done.

Basic question: do you have figure skates? If yes, have you skated with toe picks before, or, have you used hockey skates?

If you've never "toe picked" - practice a few times before you go to lessons. It will be a significant change.

If you haven't got figure skates yet, you should look into it: guys stuff is often in shorter supply than girls is, and you may have to have things ordered in. It would be a shame to miss lessons because your skates weren't in yet.

I agree with Sk8mum! Go to the skate shop at one of the rinks and get your feet measured for skates, since they will probably have to order them and that will take awhile. The fit must be perfect, so try different brands or get a suggestion from the fitter for the best brand of boot for your foot shape. The boot should be snug in the heel and have no extra room in toes, but it should also not squish your toes or press in on the widest part of your foot. Also, do NOT let them sell you the more expensive boots, as these are made for people landing double and triple jumps and will be too stiff for you to skate in properly.

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Thank you all!
I have ice skated when I was younger but I just rented the skates and I don't own any currently. I can't even GET to a rink for about 5 weeks because we haven't moved yet. Is there a brand of skate I shoud try out? I'm getting a private coach because I want to learn as fast as possible, I'm sure I can find a good one.

By the way, you guys are much nicer than the people on the Ballet Forums!

Hmm, I thought crossovers were somewhat more advanced than the rest of that. I'm afraid to just try it on my own, I hate falling down. I'm not very good at gliding on one foot yet, and my legs are not very long or thin.

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I'm a boy, and I can figure skate if I want to.

In terms of skates, the ideal is what fits your foot! As you're a beginner, you won't need an expensive or difficult-to-find pair of skates; your best bet is to see if there's a professional fitter in your area who will be able to advise you. Failing that, you will do very well for your first pair if you are fitted at the rink shop.

Don't forget that if all else fails, there is such a thing as shoe dye - if the really don't have anything suitable in black men's skates, you can always dye a pair originally designed for women! But that's unlikely to be a problem for a year or so yet.

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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!

Home schooling is AWESOME for figure skaters because you can set your own schedule and attend empty, inexpensive daytime skating sessions. That's wonderful.

When you move into your new home, go to the pro shop and buy a pair of skates. Look for Riedell Blue Ribbon or Jackson Marquis. Have them sharpened while you're there - they usually do it for free.

Pick up the public skating schedule while you're there, along with the group lesson brochures.

Skate a few sessions before you start taking lessons. It'll help you get up to speed quickly and over the learning curve of gliding and holding your knees bent and your feet straight.

While you're there, look for students taking lessons and check out how the instructor works with them. Be subtle, but figure out which instructor would suit your personality best. Some people are more demanding and picky, others like to chat and laugh - how do you learn best?

You might also want to stop by during group lessons and observe. The rink might have a teen group, which would help you make friends.

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This may sound like a stupid question but, What will I wear for practice, do they sell specific pants like they do at dance stores? Oh, I also have shoulder length hair will I have to cut it or can I put on a beanie?

Most of the boys at my rink start out in running pants. Many of them never switch to a "skating pant"- the ones who do tend to wear under armour products, or specialty figure skating wear you can find online.

However, most don't actually wear figure skating wear except for competition. The advantage of wearing it in practice is that your coach can see your leg line better, and you don't need to worry about catching your leg in the bottom of your blade. For many men, those concerns aren't enough to account for the expense of specialty wear and the image issue of tight lycra pants. It's completely up to you with what you are comfortable with, what is the norm at your rink, and what your coach wants. For a group lesson, especially a low level one, I'd wear general workout clothes.

There will be no need to cut your hair unless you want to. You could just skate with it down, or tie it back.

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Not a stupid question at all.

Hair: tie it back; you don't want it swinging in your face. shoulder length guy hair is usually just pulled back into a "guy" pony tail.

There are "guy" skating pants, but, they are expensive. You can check out Podium Skatewear, they make guy pants - they are a Canadian company, you can order them through www.skatingboutique.com. However, what my "guy" does is wear UnderArmour pants - not the loose baggy ones, but normal fit ones that are cut like a dress pant at the bottom. They always have those available. You can also wear leggings (running style ones) - but you may find them to be a bit unusual on the ice. UnderArmour Cold Gear is nice in terms of keeping you warm.

Don't wear jeans, don't wear stuff that "rustles" like some of the sports pants do, and when you get serious about it, you will want a coach to be able to see the line.

As for the OTHER unique to guys question: yes, dance belts exist; no they are not worn often in practice or learn to skate; a good solution is compression fit boxer shorts, like UnderArmour sells. Not necessary, however, unless it's a personal preference.

And, avoid heavy ski jacket/parka style stuff on top. Get a warm sweater, dress in layers. Bulk impedes mobility.

I wear jeans most of the time (but it's Texas, we do everything in jeans). As a beginner, pretty much anything goes. And no one is going to care about your hair. Just make sure you dress warm enough, you can work up a sweat during the public sessions, but beginner lessons are just a lot of standing still and moving slow. The indoor temperature will depend on your local climate, but it will be cold. Layers are a great idea because the temperature varies a lot too for reasons you can't predict.

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I'm a boy, and I can figure skate if I want to.

I'm an adult male skater that started at 37 and am turning 50 this year.

If you could give a little info of where you will moving to, or the names of the rinks that will be near you, it may help us with some recommendations of where to get skates. Not all pro shops are great.

There are several adult male skaters with long hair. Some just wear it long, some wear it in a pony tail. Not sure what the younger skaters do.

As to what to wear, that will change as you progress. When you are just starting out, you will want something quite warm. In the group classes you will be moving slowly and standing and watching your instructor quite a bit.

Since you WILL be falling, wear pants that are made of synthetics, they don't pick up water like cotton does. There are lots of brands & types out there, but you don't have to spend a lot.

I wear LL Bean running tights/pants. However, I also have full zip fleece pants that I wear over them when I'm teaching. As for the top, try a mock turtle - either something like UnderArmor or REI performance undershirts. Then, cover that in fleece. I start out with the REI long sleeve mock turtle, then a fleece vest, then a fleece club jacket. I just shed the layers as I need to as I warm up. And, then if during a lesson, I start getting cold, I just start adding them back on.

Socks are very important. Thin is in. I wear REI polypro sock liners. They are about the same thickness as ladies' tights. Don't wear cotton athletic socks. Your feet will most certainly sweat when you get active, and you need something that wicks away the moisture.

Another thing you may want is Bungapads. These are like ace bandage sleeves with silicone on one side. You put the silicone side on your ankles and it give a little cushion so the boots don't hurt your ankle bones. They also extend up over the boot's cuff, so that doesn't cut into your ankle.

Gloves are also important; a pair of glove liners, work well. They wick the moisture and stay warm even with falling and getting wet. You can find these in sporting good stores or online at REI, LL Bean or Lands End.

As to underwear, this is problematic for guys. Not so much at the beginning, but when you start doing sit spins (once you try a sit spin, you'll know why). I wear jockeys that are made of a lycra blend. You used to be able to find them on Jockey.com, but the last time I looked they were discontinued. Luckily, I purchased quite a few at the time. Some people wear jocks, and some where Speedos. If and when my Jockeys wear out, I'll probably go the Speedo route.

Probably more info than you wanted, but there you go.

Rob

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Geriatric Figure Skating Crew - President for Life!
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"I'm too old to die young, and too smart to be happy" - Kinky Friedman, The Mile High Club

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bah! Skip the socks (if you own your skates)

Huge agree! I have scars on my ankles from the tops of my skates cutting into them. Bunga pads (or Silipos- my preference, they are slightly thinner) are lifesavers

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

I'm going to get a private coach even for my first lesson so, hopefully, They'll say what to wear from now on if for some reason they prefer I wear something different.
Yes, I will own my own skates but I can't stand wearing shoes without socks so if it doesn't matter I'm going to wear thin socks.

Wear socks. It cuts down on the stench in the boots and keeps some of the sweat off of the lining. Also cuts down on that rubbing at the top of the skates against the leg. Plus, guys wear pants; it's bad enough to see the socks popping out at the top of the skate when they do spirals or something and they don't have the elastics on the pants to hold them down ... bare leg would be worse.

Some coaches don't like socks because skaters can "grip" with their bare toes in their boots on landings. Other than that, it's a personal preference, however, remember, you'll be changing your skates in dressing rooms, and having a barrier between bare feet and grungy floors in the switch shoe to skate ... well, something to consider.

Quick question!
How often should I practice? 3 Rinks will be 15 minutes away (walking distance) and I read that I should go ''Three times a day Six days a week.''
Can you get a membership so you can skate for free like at the zoo? It might take a little bit of influencing my parents but I'm sure once I start practicing "Moves" my parents will let me go much more often. Also, how often should I go with a private coach? I read once a day but that's seems TERRIBLY expensive.

These numbers sound more like elite skating times and yes it is terribly expensive, most beginners will have a lesson once a week maybe twice a week, with one to two practices between lessons.

I'm not sure what you mean by 3 times a day 6 days a week. 3 skating sessions a day? Around me, 3 freestyle sessions a day will run you about $36 times 6 days a week $$$

Memberships probably depend on the rink, different rinks have different policies. I have three rinks I go between.

Rink 1 is very much hockey dominated and freestyle is limited to 2 days a week for 1 hour 15 minutes. At this rink I tend to go to the public sessions in the middle of the day because they are much cheaper and tend to be really empty. I can arrange my work schedule for afternoons/evenings, so I can skate earlier in the day.

Rink 2 is pretty evenly split hockey/figure skating. You can buy an individual 45 minute session for $12. Or you can buy a punch card, for 10, 20, or 40 sessions, because you buy in bulk there is a little bit of a discount, maybe averages out to like $9-10 a sessions.

Rink 3 is dominated with figure skating/synchro. Here a 40 minute session is $12. They have a similar punch card system available to students, 12 sessions and it averages to about $9/session. Or you can register for a contract, this buys you into a designated number of sessions for a year.

As a beginner, especially being home schooled I would say start on the public sessions. I have been to some public sessions during the day where I have been literally the only person on the ice. Some rinks around here actually allow lessons on public sessions, something to consider at least from a financial perspective.

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~Always Dream!~

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Oh Yeah, sorry for the confusion. It was 3 sessions per day with one of those sessions having a private coach.
I'm confused about the ''Sessions'' Public Session must obviously mean other people...So are you saying a freestyle session is where you buy out the entire ice? Sorry to ask such stupid questions but if I don't ask I won't learn! hahaha