For me, in a way I need the pressure of a test or competition to do some things, otherwise I may take a long time to learn something new. My coach recognizes that and has said he's knows I'll do skill X when I'm ready --or when I have to. And I love the feeling of conquering nerves or just a hard skill in a competition. I can't tell you the satisfaction I got from skating a good interpretive program recently with everything done really to the best of my ability. It's a feeling of accomplishment. I don't know if I'll ever get those bronze moves to the point where I can test them, but I'll work on them as long as it takes!

But testing and competing is not for everyone. I think someone is more process-oriented may not feel the need to do so. And no one should tell you you're wrong! But I am pretty goal-oriented and need something concrete to work towards.

Jazzpants --Hang in there!

Pat

When a skater test, it isn't about him trying to prove to a bunch of strangers that he can skate. Like I said previously, I think the benefit of testing and passing is that it provide a logical point for a skater to stop spending time on one set of skills and start practicing another set of skills. Plus it provides valuable lessons, especially for the young kids, about setting goals and putting in the necessary efforts to achieve that goal.

People are happy doing different things and achieving different things with their skating. You just end up doing whatever make you feel good at the end of the day.

I think it can be difficult for competitive, goal-oriented people who appreciate external validation to understand what motivates non-competitive, process-oriented people who couldn't care less about external validation. The rewards are more nebulous, and maybe harder to articulate. For sure, neither are "right" in their approach to life and in many situations their combined efforts complement each other nicely.

Speaking more generally (not specifically to Pat's post) it does seem to me that the competitive, goal-oriented structure that serves elite skating is expected to satisfy every skater, starting from the progression in basic skills. I'm not sure why that is, but as a non-competitive, process-oriented person, I think it distracts from my favorite parts of skating - development of body awareness and control, understanding the ice and interaction with it, musical or rhythmic self-expression. I could take tai chi or yoga or ballet and work very hard at them as physical artforms without ever being pressed to set goals that meet with someone else's approval. Why shouldn't I be able to enjoy skating the same way?

That said, I could very well be interested in testing once I have some testable skills. Not because climbing that ladder will give me a sense of achievement that will really do anything for me emotionally, but because I can see that I might find some very personal emotional value in working on delivering skills on demand. Competition? I can't imagine circumstances where I would feel like I could get anything that interests me out of it. But you never know...a year ago I couldn't imagine wanting things from skating that would require a private coach.

Lu

And then we have the people who say their love of skating is really more about the process, sign up for competitions just to challenge themselves with a different "process" (preparing for a competition), but very clearly are more concerned about the results of the process. Example: "I don't care about the competition. I just enjoy the process of preparing for it. ... Skating is all about the enjoyment of learning for me. ... But I'm not going to test up a level. ... I can't believe so-and-so placed ahead of me! grumble, grumble ... I'm not entering that event because what's-his-name always enters <and wins>."

Been there. Seen that.

When I was in my 20's, I tested and competed ISI up to Freestyle 5. Then Life got in the way, so I resorted to just skating for myself. I taught a bit before my Mom became ill and died, then I took a complete break. Skated only to show off a few times a year. I could still do an axel for about 4 years, but then that disappeared without practice.

Imagine my surprise to return to teaching and find MITF, no figures, and (most stunning!), USFS adult tracks and competitions! The USFSA could give a flying fig about adults back in the 80's, but I won't go there.

So, now I'm working on passing all of these tests, given my late return and missing the grandfather clause period. At least I'm having fun, and my students are wonderful.

I usually get the "message too short" error in the Word Association thread

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"The only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary." -- Vidal Sasson

"Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." -- Unknown

faderdust,

I agree with many of the comments already made. For me, I skate because I just love it. I just have this feeling that this is something I should be doing. (hard to explain) I don't test because this isn't really important to me. My internal goals ARE. I push myself because I love doing so. I always want to be "better" and enjoy the challenge of trying to do be. I love being told I probably can't, and proving that I can. I like being competitive with myself. As for competing against others....I do this on practice sessions. =-) I'm also a mom. I've carved out a spot in my life for skating. This spot is hard to keep but I work hard to do so. Finding time for tests and competing just isn't possible right now.

Chico

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"I truly believe, when God created skating, he patted himself on the back."

Yes, but surely testing is about seeing whether you can do a given set of skills to a set standard? Competing, of course, is seeing how your skills measure up against skaters who are ostensibly at the same level as you - which you might well not be interested in doing. On the other hand, being at a competition is simply the most enormous fun, and it's just not the same if you're only watching!

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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!

For adults, there's much more to competing than the "external validation". Many many skaters don't receive the medals or the awards at competitons, but we all receive the experience. It can be wonderful to participate in an event with people who share your passion. Shows are also lots of fun, but not the same. Competing in events such as Adult Nationals provides the opportunity to re-connect with friends from across the country, be encuraged, encourage others, be an active participant in your chosen sport. The competitors are also the skaters who shape the sport, and work for it's evolution.

Agreed!

Yup, this is another issue. Over the summer I managed about 4hrs a week on the ice, which was very nice. I haven't made it to the rink once in the last month due to a combination of changing ice schedules and family commitments. In a couple of weeks I will be able to work in about 3hrs a week - until things change again. Skating commitments with deadlines are probably out until the kids are older. I'm not complaining though. I love the fact that every hour on the ice feels like an indulgence.

Lu

Thank you everyone for your well thought-out points of view. I really enjoyed reading them. I just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to share a little bit of your views with me! It definitely sheds light on this topic for me where there hadn't been any before, and I'm always thankful to better understand others.

Since I started this thread, I will offer an update. I had one of the most joyous times on the ice yesterday both for a session of practice and then a session with my coach for lesson.

The weight off my shoulders has allowed me to feel more freedom to focus, try new things, even devise my own little dittie sequence to get more comfortable with inside 3's with some speed - coach was impressed. We continue to write exercises and key points in my spiral notebook for reference when I practice.

Coach continues to introduce new things - exercises, new elements, etc.
I really like not having a test structure to have to adhere to, be boxed in by, or to have to focus on week after week. Sometimes, as we all have found, leaving a difficult element for awhile and then returned weeks or months later, can be beneficial.

I'd rather work on fine-tuning my program to music as a way of incorporating all my old and new elements and just being able to share it with my coach - that is all the validation I need for my learning process. I am now comfortable with my final decision.

We never had many adults skating at my 2 rinks during the times I would skate (after work, versus the large number of adults that skate only in the mornings, that I see when I am on vacation.) I did see the 2 adults this week on the 5 pm session after all summer skating at my local rink. One was very welcoming and bubbling about her next competition and the other was unusually aloof.

So yes, I find myself now out of the mainstream of adult skating but now it doesn't bother me. What a peaceful feeling!