I agree absolutely Nicki - it is certainly possible to learn to skate at public sessions. That's how I did it the first time round as a teenager. The problem when you're working full time is finding a public session that is quiet enough to go backwards - properly I mean, not just backwards slalom or small glides. And backward edges are required for the Rink Improvers standard, never mind Advanced.

The Sunday morning sessions used to be fine until they decided to make them half-ice (as are the Saturday morning sessions). Now it's too crowded to do anything, though I do appreciate that this allows the coaches to use the other half. And the weekend afternoon sessions are full of out of control teens on hockey skates and small children skating across your path. Hard to find space to practice anything, though can be (sort of) used for stroking practice.

I also do appreciate that people should not be allowed on patch ice until they reach a certain level, but that doesn't make it any easier to reach it!

As I said, I'm not trying to blame anyone - it's just frustrating!

I understand your frustrations. We've lost more and more ice time over the years as sadly we (the figure skaters) are very low in the order of priorities when it comes to the allocation of ice time. This is why they have split the rink on weekends, but I think it's a real shame they've had to resort to that. When I was working full-time I used to skate on a Sunday morning and in general it was a nice session on the whole of the rink. Now they've been forced to split the ice and it's not beneficial to the likes of you who need to practise. I wish I could offer more suggestions. It's a shame you can't arrange to get there during the working day sometimes like your husband does. And as for club ice - it's only two months then we'll be back to normal. Why not give the Sunday evening a try then? That's a nice patch to skate on.

Nicki

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I'm glad I found this thread as am just returning to skating after a (Eh hem) 11 year break (skated for 4 years as a child )and trying to decide where to go. (Feel so clumsy now on the ice compared to when I was a kid but will be starting lessons in the new year as have just been going once a week for fun for the last few weeks.)

I'm not too sure where to go though. Slough is just a 15 min drive from me and I like it there and both Bracknell and Guildford about 30. (Skated at Bracknell on Christmas Day and enjoyed it there.)

Which rinks are adult skater friendly coach wise? Plus also I do shift work so would probably be able to go at uncoventional hours so for a beginner (ish) again what rinks are best for uncrowded ice?

Thanks all in advance.

I skate at Bracknell and we have a nice group of adult skaters there who skate on either the patch at 9.30 am or the morning session at 10.30 am. The patch is usually really quiet - often just 3 or 4 of us, and the session is usually quiet too, though Fridays are busier due to the adult courses that are on at the start of the session. All the coaches are very adult friendly so no worries there either. It would be great to see you there!

Nicki

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Yes, we have one at my rink. Yes, he truly means well, but he is extremely annoying (i.e. stands in doorway blocking entrance/exit; yells at skaters; offers criticism whether asked for or not; doesn't offer constructive criticism in a positive light), etc.

I have told him "thanks but no thanks" as it is confusing to get his advice which conflicts with that of my coach.

He has already told everyone to stop doing 3-turns, doesn't believe in inside/outside mohawks ("Never heard of 'em"), thinks spins should be done without using any arms at all, wants everyone to get less-stiff boots so they can bend (although he may have something there if someone does get boots that are too high for them, and complains that no one competes (not true), etc.)

He also complains about our music played during club time and changes it to classical, which we promptly change back to rock/pop. One of the girls was in program skating to her music, which was rock-opera and he turned it off! Told her not to skate to "that crap"

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about him...he was some sort of skating champ in the 40's and 50's and has been giving permission by the skating director to be an "advisor" although he has no credentials. Wacky, I know. A regular skater was told not to "help" other skaters or face being banned from club sessions....not a fair world, is it?

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

Brilliant. Will give that a go. I do a lot of late shifts so that would work in perfectly with being able to get there a few times a week. Thanks!

He stalks the public sessions in Reading (Burbank Arena) and Salem State College looking to pick up lessons or just plain but in while you're working in the center. He'll call out "chin up" (which I must admit is helpful....but).

Has anyone seen him lately? He's the Russian guy with the bright blue stretched out stretch pants

That's great! Looking forward to meeting you!

Nicki

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If this is just an older skater, he may be lonesome. My experience in this case is just to be kind, say a quick hello, and get busy. I'm very polite to explain that I can't visit during ice time as I'm paying to skate on it. If he's a coach looking for students, RUN. In this case I might even ask my coach to help. My experience in this situation is that some coaches do seek out students. Which is fine if your interested, but it is just not okay if your not. I'm not good at giving the cold shoulder, so I can't even begin to offer help in this situation. In fact, I've been known to "run" when this has happened to me in the past! I'd tell my coach. =-)

teresa

I would have the rink or the coach handle it. That way he won't prey on others. It is essentially a rink issue if someone is interfering with lessons.

I've not seen the said guy at my rink for a few weeks now, phew. Although I have a feeling that he may reappear when the beginners start again.

I still keep an eye on Bracknell's timetable btw all of you that skate there, but I still can't find a time I can make!! I am limited to evenings and it all seems to be Ice Hockey

I don't know if you are a member of our club at Bracknell, but we have club patches on Friday and Sunday evenings and a quietish (so I'm told) public session on a Wednesday evening. Maybe that might help.

Nicki

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Hey NickiT, when I spoke to Bracknell they said they didn't think that I was high enough standard to go to patch I have only been skating since September, am at Skate UK 3, so I imagine that I wouldn't be high enough to join the club. Fingers crossed for this time next year.

You may not be there just yet in terms of level required for club membership, but stick with it and you soon will be! Our rink runs its own learn to skate courses and you need to be rink improver level to skate on club ice. Are you taking any classes or lessons at the moment?

Nicki

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You could try Oxford - it's only a bit further from Reading than Basingstoke, and we have a very friendly club session at 12.15 on Sundays that's open to anyone from beginners upwards - guests are very welcome. (Of course, no-one stays a beginner for long if they come regularly.)

Fiona

Yes. I do group lessons on a Tuesday and sometimes private ones on a Thursday. The coach on a Thursday is fully booked but lets me know when she has a cancellation which I then take. I have a new agreement with the coach though that I can skate on her coned off bit of ice on Thursdays when I don't have lessons which will start when she returns in January, so fingers crossed I will be able to join you guys at a patch session soon. Would be good to meet you all.

As for Oxford, thats too far to go in the evening really, which is when I am limited to go. I did nearly skate in Oxford on Wednesday but we ran out of time