I've read DeTocqueville numerous times and I don't think he was referring to people who are unwilling to work in order to improve themselves...that's quite the opposite of what he meant when he came to the US and subsequently wrote of his observations...

__________________
2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

Pandora, I don't think anyone wants you banned. I just think you've gotten all the answers you're likely to get on this subject, and we're just going to have to agree to disagree. I'm actually surprised at how many options different people have come up with for you. You definitely will have opportunities to perform, even if you choose not to compete (and it is definitely a choice), which is all you say you want anyway.

Re. competing--we're not changing your mind, and you're not changing anyone else's, so we may as well move on.

We all share our love for skating in common, so let's just focus on that & enjoy!

So enter as a "no-test" and take it from there, however as the years progress you will be called a "sandbagger" for not testing. Just the way it is. The only way around it is to skate shows and exhibitions, but if your regular skating is sub-par, that won't last long (as a show skater, we spend a lot of time doing edges and dance moves as part of our choreography, not just going from jump to jump to jump-that gets boring for the skater and the audience).
I was called a "sandbagger" at one competition, even though I was nowhere close to testing....it hurt my feelings immensely! Then I had an injury and now, years later, I'm finally gearing up to test. I do hear it about skaters in the ISI circuit but not as much.

If you are interested in going the ISI route, here is the link to their different levels and the requirements for each level, on the sticky page of this forum is a link to the dance steps.
http://www.skateisi.com/site/sub.cfm...g_requirements

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

Ok, so I am kinda concerned about the Sandbagging thing...what if, and lets just say, I compete in Bronze, do really well, and just for kicks win the first event (be it Sectionals for instance) I have entered in my life...does that seem to be considered sandbagging??? I started skating in January, and have just been able to test up to both Pre-Bronze - MITF and Freeskate (passed with flying colors, other than a few nerves that set in and comments were made on my test sheet). I know I can do a few things some of the Bronze skaters I have seen aren't able to do. Thoughts?

Well, I've tested my Preliminary Dances and passed them, am working on my Junior Bronze dances for my next tests, have passed my Introductory Interpretive (in Canada we have Pre-Introductory (no test required), Introductory (Intro test passed required to compete), Bronze(same as Intro), Silver (same as Intro) and Gold (same as Intro) interpretive levels), have had my jumps up to 2 Salchow at one point before getting 2 herniated discs in my upper back but never got to test my prelim FS or compete with jumps from 1 flip to 2 Salchow because of the injury sustained. I'm currently trying to get my single jumps under control again, along with a backspin, camel spin, layback and maybe haircutter spin that I have only done once in a club Christmas skating show before the injury mentioned above. I have yet to get my Preliminary Skills (somewhat like US MIF test) (forward 3s in the CW direction and LFI Mohawk) without hesitation or clean enough to pass (no adult standard for testing in Canada; either you pass or fail just like the kids) up to par for testing. Although, I can do backward 3s and backward double threes in both CCW and CW. I also can do Loops forwards and backwards, 10+ rev forward corkscrews (Scratch in US) and can do some different variations, 8 rev forward sitspin. For quite a while lately I wasn't getting low enough for sitspins to count because I have had super stiff muscles even with stretching; turns out that I've been suffering a severe infection and flu for months and didn't know it except for my extreme tiredness and in the last three weeks my glands were very swollen and sore. I even stayed home this week from skating trying to get over it. Yes, I did go to the doctor/clinic and got antibiotics for the infection. But for the sinuses I had to buy Liquid Advil Cold and Sinus because I was extremely dizzy, more dizzy than any spin I have done on ice at any time. The Advil Cold and Sinus also helped to lower my fever, chase my headache away. I still have a tender throat though. Need more time to get well.

So I guess I'm one of those skaters who can do more in the freeskate category than Skills (what we call US Moves in Canada).

__________________
"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

I think that you will be okay as a Bronze skater for your first competition. You really are an adult start skater- just a very very naturally talented one. However, compare your skating to mine. I'm getting ready to take my bronze free (not sure if I will pass). Will it really be FUN for you to beat skaters like me a lot? Be bronze for sectionals/nationals this year, then move up! The silver moves might hold you for a little bit, but I bet not too long. Evfen if you are a high level bronze skater, I think it's an appropriate level for you. Now I know you're a ton better than you were last time I saw you, but I think you'll look like somone getting ready to test silver, not someone who should have done it ages ago.

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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)

no, this is not what the skater is looking for. You dont have doubles (if you saw her youtube video you would see she has a few doubles) You have skills appropriate for your freeskate level. If you think your freeskate level is high, then test the prelim test. Many skaters at your level are on the EXACT same test levels.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. If anyone accuses you of sandbagging, they're just jealous. You're at the appropriate level for someone who hasn't been skating that long, and after a year if you do well, I'm sure you'll move up because you're looking for more of a challenge. People get accused of sandbagging more when they medal in the same level at ANs a few years in a row, it's obvious that they could be competitive at the next level, and there is no real reason why they haven't moved up. But for your first year, you should be fine.

__________________
2010-2011 goals:
Pass Junior MIF test
Don't break anything

Skittle, thanks! You are also very talented. I looked up to you when we were at the adult camp. Still do since you have been skating a while. Trust me, I know how new I am to this. You taught me the the rocker that weekend!!! Also, thanks for the encouragement. I hope I do get to see you again this coming year.

Ok, cool. I am hoping to be silver either by end of next or the following. I do have a goal of becoming an Adult Champion. Skittle can probably vouch for my dedication to the sport since I started. I train like the pros! LOL! Not quite, but spend most of my free time at the rink skating and practicing, or at dance/ballet, or some other work out to enhance my skating. I am an addict. :: shrug :: I picked skating because of the challenge it holds and my new addiction to being in the air and landing on my blade for jumps. That's so fun.

The reason you've never seen me do a double Salchow, is that I learned it after the 2004 Canadians but was severely injured (herniated discs from work place accident where I totally ripped up my neck, shoulders and arms February 14th, 2005 before my first competition of the year. I only did the double at my old club during May & June of 2004 and up to January 2005. I did compete at the 2005 Adult Canadians but I should have pulled out of it and my other competitions that winter and spring because I couldn't check anything, not even my waltz jumps. I also should have not gone back to work only to have my employer make my injuries worse. I should have listened to my then coach that very day and saw a chiropracter to try to fix the problem and should have had xrays and MRIs done too, when I went to the rink to tell him I couldn't get a lesson because I got injured at work. I don't know if I'll ever get the double Salchow back. And this is also partially why I couldn't compete at the 2006 Adult Canadians.

I'm not ready to test because I can't get a consistant back spin with 3 revs or more, not near at least 90 percent on my loop, flip and lutz jumps (I know I don't need it yet but I'm rotating it with a slight touch down and a few times I land it clean) and camel spin needs a few more revs and tighter centering so that if I end up getting nervous for the test, I still can do it under pressure. I feel way more stress and pressured testing then when I compete. So until I feel like I'm just about ready for the Junior Bronze test, I'm not testing Prelim because my nerves in tests are really, really, really bad. Competition is a complete joy compared to testing for me.

__________________
"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

I dont think doing it possible a handful of times counts. If you came back form injury and were able to do it agian, possibly buyt again thats not what this person was talking about. They were wanting people with a higher level right at this moment then their skill level.

At this moment your freeskate level is equal with your skill level. Keep trying and practicing and you will improve. It just takes baby steps..

I'll admit to being jealous of how quickly you are picking things up, but I wouldn't accuse you of sandbagging. I hope you will be at AN, because I am looking forward to seeing you skate...even if you kick my butt ;0)