Hi! I have decided I would like to try pairs and it would be great if I could find a partner and compete in it. Anyways, today I was notified of some news to do with one of the pairs teams at my rink - the boy dumped his partner.

Anyways, before I get into it any further, maybe you should first know some background info, to help you better understand.

The top skaters at the rink where I train are 2 boys and myself. We are all at about the same level and then below us there is really no one. Anyways, both boys were also doing pairs too. However, both were doing it with partners that, let's just say in my opinion, were not strong enough even singly to be doing pairs with either of these boys. Both these boys have clean double axels and are working on making their 3S and 3T's more consistent. Their partners on the other hand, had only a single axel, 2S and possibly 2T and were weaker just overall in their skating.

By watching their pair practises together, I can see why the boy dumped his partner because it was very boring and frustrating for him because his partner was so much of a weaker skater than him. Also, he is a hard worker and doesn't like to fool around (like me), but his partner was more of the social type and often likes to stand around and 'diddy dottle.'

Anyways, him and I (and the other pairs boy too) have the same coach (who coaches both pairs and singles) and I would really like to give pairs a try and I think this boy would have no problem working with me - I am at about the same level as him and am a strong singles skater and take my skating very seriously (don't fool around), we also skate a lot together and have group lessons sometimes together, so are pretty comfortable/get along with each other fine.

However, the only problem is my height. I am almost as tall as him. (I mean I'm not taller, but we are pretty close in height.) I'm 16 years old and am about 5' 4" and I'd say he's about 15 and 5' 5", or so. Now, I am a bit tall, but I am light weight and have a very small build. My coach (who has coached lots of successful pairs teams) has said that I should be a pairs skater, so doesn't think my heights a problem, I guess.

Anyways, the boy will get taller, as he is about a year younger than me, but I guess what I was really wondering was if you think it would be a problem with us being almost the same height? Like I said, it will probably only be for a bit, until he gets a bot taller, but what do you think?

I have seen quite a few pairs teams (especially at the Intermediate/Novice levels) where the the girl is almost as tall as the boy and it doesn't seem to be a too much of a problem, but I wanted to knows what you thought?

Let me know. All comments/replies/responses greatly appreciated. I will reply and follow the tread, (so your posts won't be for nothing.)
Thanks,
Kaylee

Above all, trust your coaches recommendation! Height is just one of many things to consider and near equal sizes is not that uncommon. Many years ago, it used to be the norm. Also, the guy may likely have one more growth spurt

pairman2

Hi! Thanks for the info. I think I will talk to my coach more about possibly doing pairs with him, or at least (if she thinks I would be too tall for him), I'm pretty sure she'd at least let me try try some pairs stuff (ie. some off-ice lifts, maybe some on ice stuff, etc.) with the other pairs boy (who is taller and older and who she also coaches, but he already has a partner, though.)

I would however, really like to get to do pairs with the other boy, though, especially since it is quite difficult to find a good partner (male), especially one that is as good as this boy and also at about my level too and one that is at your same training place. Either way, though, I'd would still really like to give pairs a try.

Anyways, other comments from others still greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kaylee
(pet_lover48)

Snap the boy up 'fore some other girl does!!

__________________
Right Brain: In the distant future, I will land all of the doubles.
Left Brain: HAHAHAHAHA
Left Brain: You can't even do a backspin.
Right Brain: ...

figurekb on YouTube.

Yes, you're definately right about that one. There are so few boys and so many girls.

Do you think the height thing would be a problem?
Thanks,
Kaylee
(pet_lover48)
PS: Keep the replies/comments/responses coming. All are greatly appreciated!

There are currently 8 canadian male pairs skaters listed on www.icepartnersearch.com at least one of whom is from the Vancouver area.

The club my son trains at has a number of girls who are not currently partnered who work regularly with the pairs teams off ice to learn the lifts etc so definitely approach you coach and ask.

It is a bit late to be forming a new team for the coming season so if you do partner up be patient and consider this season purely a learning experience as far as competition is concerned. That being said there are not a lot of pairs teams at any level so you would likely get to go to Nationals anyway.

I wish you luck

Not at all. You are shorter than him, if not by much. And 5'4 isn't tall, it's average.

__________________
Right Brain: In the distant future, I will land all of the doubles.
Left Brain: HAHAHAHAHA
Left Brain: You can't even do a backspin.
Right Brain: ...

figurekb on YouTube.

Hi! Great news everybody!

My Dad and I spoke to my coach today and she agrees I should do pairs and is going to have me try some lifts and stuff with her pairs boy (the taller one that already has a partner) and then we'll take things from there.

She also said there's a boy coming from Ontario (who she will be coaching) who does pairs and will probably be needing a partner.

Anyways, I'm really excited I'm going to get to give it a try.

Thanks again for everybody's comments/suggestions/reponses. They are really appreciated!

I'll keep you posted on how things go.
Thanks again,
Kaylee
(Pet_lover48)