I am new to this forum but I just sent off my cheque and application form for this camp today...

Is anyone else from London going

Jen

Not quite London since I skate at Bracknell but I am considering going. Just have to work out if either of my kids have exams that week. I would feel a bit mean leaving them to fend for themselves when they have GCSE's and A level's to contend with. A month later or earlier and it would have been fine. June is a bad month for anyone with kids. Also means no teachers can attend which is a shame as there seem to be a lot of teachers who skate.

edit as of 18/4 . Just found out daughter has GCSE exams on all three days of the camp so I can't come. I am very disappointed as it sounds great and I'd have jumped at the chance but can't leave the poor kid to make her own meals and find her own way to exams and cope with exam stress on her own so will have to be a good mum and not attend the camp. Boo hoo!

Oh that's a shame I guess that's something they didn't consider when they picked June.

That's a shame. Would have been nice to see you there Batikat.

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If you want the best seat in the house, you'll have to move the cat!

Hi,

I am from london and I am going. At least I think I am, I sent everything off but I haven't heard from them...

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

Im going too...don't worry about having not had any reply from BITA, i was worried too coz i hadn't heard anything so i phoned Tony Barron and he said 'yes, cheques have been received and that they'd be writing to everyone at the end of april.'
CrystalIce x

Yeah I haven't heard anything back yet either and my cheque hasn't been banked yet as far as I can tell though I guess it will take a few days.

Have you booked a hotel and train ticket yet? I was going to wait until I heard back from them but don't want to leave it too late...

Jen

Thanks for the information now I can go ahead and sort my accomodation out. Any suggestions where to stay? I have never been to Sheffield, I had a look at the sites of the places they reccomend but there isn't that much information on them.

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

I am going to drive. I have my trusty tomtom and hope to not get lost! Maybe we can all agree and book at the same hotel? It would be more fun staying in one place!

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

Ive reserved a room at Accor hotel. Its the cheapest out of the ones they suggested, £32 per night and its quite literally just up the road from Icesheffield.

I had a look at the Accor Hotels site and there is one there called the Etap Hotel Sheffield arena - the price is the same (£32/night) for single double and triple rooms if anyone is interested in saving a few £££s! I think it would be quite fun to share a room and get to know some other skaters if anyone is interested...?

I'd be up for sharing a room if you'd like to risk it definitelly good plan to save money! (that way I can spend it all on skating!)

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

Etap hotel, yeah thats the one! Oh, i would have been interested in sharing...
CrystalIce x

My sentiments exactly!

Do you think we could get a third person? That would be ideal -£32 each for accommodation for the whole thing would be very handy!

Do you think if you phoned up they would let you change your reservation to a triple Crystalice?

I could definitely give it a try....it should be ok shouldnt it?
CrystalIce

Yeah try it the worst they can say is no! I am definitely up for it if you can do it.

I'm up for making it a triple if we can pull that off

Where in London are you travelling from?

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

Oh I am getting quite excited about it now! In the meantime here is a bit about me so we won't be *complete* strangers! I am 26, graduated 3 years ago from Essex Uni with a degree in American Studies and I now work as a PA in a law firm. I started skating lessons when I was 8 and did group lessons until I was 11, then gave up because it was too expensive. Then I started again in November last year and I am completely addicted. I skate at Lee Valley which is about a 5 minute cycle from my flat. During the winter I was training at Broadgate arena on my lunch breaks and now it's closed I've just managed to wangle a change in my working hours on Tuesdays so that I can get back home in time for the 5-7 patch at Lee Valley This week will be the first time I do that so I'm quite looking forward to it. It will mean I will be doing 3x 2hr training sessions and I have a half hour lesson on Saturday mornings. I'm currently working on one foot spins, spirals and 3-jumps and I have set myself a goal of getting all my singles by the end of this year...

Thanks for that information, I was going to ring up on Mon cause I hadn't heard anything, nor has my cheque been banked. At least i know there is no need to worry about it now

I will be staying in the Etap hotel aswell, but have already booked a single room Still be nice to know people staying in the same building though, yey excited.

Right guys i will phone them and keep you posted! Im coming up from Oxford (not a London girl im afraid!)

Ok, my turn I just turned 25 (still getting used to it). I am a physics with space science graduate currently turning into an actuary (first set of exams on mon and tues!) - lets just say its a lot of maths! I started skating when I was 3 and did group lessons until I was 8, that was back in Poland and once the political situation changed all the funding from sports went so no rinks meant I had to stop skating. I started skating again in March last year, although it was like I never did it before since it has been years and so I just started working on the Axel and the double loop, although I seem to be doing more of the double loop then the Axel. Also getting ready for my level 3 tests which terify my as I get really nervous! I skate at Ally Pally, try to make it 3 times a week at minimum!

Btw - since I am driving I am happy to offer lifts, but only have a tiny Renault Clio - I am warning in advance!

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

Hey thats brilliant! Evelina's 25, LibraJen's 26 and ive just turned 25!!!! Ive been skating for a year now, i do ice dance, and i am pre-bronze level. I skate in both Oxford and Blackburn. I train pretty much every day before and after work ( if im not too knackered...im a nurse!) But tuesdays, wednesdays and fridays i manage to do a good 3 hour practice each morning (thanks to my shift pattern!!) Im so excited to meet you guys...
CrystalIce x

That's dedication! I feel I should do more! I have to study alongside work though so I tend to do mornings, also because I live quite a way from the rink it means getting up at 5 am for 6 am patch... there is only so many times a week I can do that - if I do it more then 4 I am useless on the ice because I am so tired!

When did you turn 25? My birthday was April 10th so I'm guessing yours isn't far off! I recently got a 2nd coach and she is doing some dance with me as well as free, I have a lot of respect for the ice dancers as I have no sense of timing at all! which means I provide good entertainment for my coach!

Can't wait for the camp now, its so exciting! I went to Flims last year and it was amazing but it was just me and a friend in the 'Adult group' and all the other groups had elite skaters in them! Most of whom I then saw competing in Warsaw when I went to watch the Europeans, it will be good to skate with some people who don't make a triple jump look like its the easiest element they practice!

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The hardest thing about ice skating is the ice.

That's really nice of you to offer, I have an exam the Friday after the camp though and I PROMISED myself I would use the time on the train up there and back to revise for it!