We don't have any ice in the summertime, but the practise never stops anyway!
Off-ice, like doing the jumps on the floor, running, strenght, flexibility and that things. You have to do that all year if you don't want to loose everything you have built up..
I also dance twice a week on somthing that's called "kulturskolan".
I'm also going to "Karlskronalägret" which is a camp in my town.
The camps are good. You can choose betwen different coaches and learn a lot of new stuf. 3 lessons on ice and two off-ice for a week. It couldn't be better!

Good luck to all skaters out there!

My goals for the summer/fall (my current spring ones are just attempting an axel and consistent lutz) are:

• Improve all single jumps, even they can be always improved. Work on height, flow, consistency, and make them appear completely effortless.
• Land an axel at least once by the end of August.
• Have a considerably fast camel spin, and work on the quality of other spins, as well.
• Consistent sit/change/sit & possibly back camel
• Improve edge quality, start working on some serious footwork

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summer's going to be the on season for me I'm pumped for skating school this summer. I hope to start landing a consistant double axel as well as consistafying (not actually a word) the rest of my jumps, as well as train 2 new programs. and I want to try a few tests. I'm pumped if you havent noticed

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dont eat me

WHAT?!!!! 2nd hip surgery?!

Okay, I'll play. Here are my goals:
- Pass Intermediate MIF
- Get my toeloop takeoff clean
- Ditto with double toeloop takeoff (and get over fear of double toe!)
- Get double salchow and axel more consistent
- Get full rotation on double loop (even if I'm not landing it perfectly)
- Master a L2 spin
- Improve my PCS: transitions, performance/execution, skating skills, etc.

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

Wow, this is really inspiring with so many of you doing doubles and Gold and Novice level, Bielmann this and that, etc!

My goals for the summer are:

- Assuming that I pass Pre-Bronze tests at the end of the month, pass Bronze tests in July
- Get back to working on the axel and double toe and (fingers crossed) land one
- Start working on double sal
- Get camel spin more consistent
- Learn sit/back sit
- Learn layback
- Work on spirals and footwork A LOT
- Maybe get an artistic program going

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The skating may not sparkle, but my dress sure does!

Just passed: Pre-Bronze MIF & Freeskate. Next goal: Bronze tests in July.

My summer goals are:
1. to pass my Intermediate freestyle
2. to pass my American Waltz and Killian
3. to test my Paso Doble

Jump goals:
1. bigger axel
2. more consistent double salchow
3. more consistent double toeloop

Overall:
1. improve speed and stamina
2. cross my feet on all my doubles...you'd be surprised how I can land them without ever crossing my feet! I've got more of a side-by-side feet thing going on, which is probably the reason for my doubles inconsistency. But still...I want to cross them!

learn a new maneuver
I'm making up for lost time on the ice by making detailed notes from my big skating book and learning all the single jumps off ice in the summer
Also, I'm going to improve my flexibility dramatically. I'm coming back from the summer holidays with a catchfoot spiral (over my head, balanced, the whole thing!!)

develop a new skating program
Well, this is not an actual program, but I like putting moves together and then pretending I have a program who knows, maybe this will come in useful one day

chill out
go to the beach, tan... plus, to satisfy my mum who will otherwise ban me from doing off ice stuff for the rest of the summer (!! )

it's going to be a busy summer. I might get one skating session in the city (going to a more villagey place to my g-parents), so I can "show my grandma my skating". and also to practice, obviously

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Well, you'll be doing your first programme sooner than you think - it's a requirement on the Gold passport! I know you're only just starting Silver, but if you continue at your present rate of progress, you'll be working on your Gold in no time.

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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!

yay!
but is it going to be for a competition or a test?
we have this coach at our rink, and all of his boy skaters do their gold programme to some james bond thing... it's kinda cute, actually

what elements do you need for your first program?

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No idea, but given that Level 1 Bronze elements are only 3-jump, salchow or cherry, upright spin and straight line step sequence, it shouldn't be more than that, and may very well be less. You can put in more elements in your programme, but you don't need to!

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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!

a) family holiday
b) I now only miss 1 lesson through this event (other lesson is on a bank holiday)
c) I am not that obsessed.

but interesting idea...

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^I did that when I went to Florida during my spring break. I brought my skates and begged my mom to let me go to a couple of public sessions while I was there. Florida ice is very interesting to skate on. It's much crunchier than New Jersey ice.

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Just a little update:

Today I passed both my American Waltz and Killian! I passed the American by 2 out of the three judges and the Killian by all three. One judge even gave me an 8.2 out of 8.0 for my Killian. Haha, and they said I was very "lively" with "crisp feet and good edge quality." So, one summer goal down, two more to go!

And I am now adding landing my double loop to my jump goals. I landed one on the harness yesterday with no help from my coach, but I'm still not counting it as landed until I do it off the harness, which I love so dearly for my mental safety reasons, hahaha!

So, good luck with everyone else's goals - I'll keep y'all posted!

I wrote:
ISk8NYC replied:

Nah! The device will get me BANNED from the rink!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Jazz - Leave the skates and iPod on the deck and GO SWIMMING! That's Chillin' Out! (Or warming up, I forget which.)

GOAL: To pass Pre-Prel MITF and Freestyle tests this summer.
Done. To Preliminary and Beyoooond!

ACTIONS:
Keep taking MITF/FS lessons each week.
Pretty good, except last week and this.

Take Ice Dance lessons each week. (Could be group or private)
Still thinking about this one.

Practice three times/week, doing MITF and FS runthroughs three times/session.
Been pretty bad about this one since the season wound down. Next week will be better!

Add 30 minute off-ice warmup before practices.
Well, 15 minutes isn't SO bad for a working mom with two jobs and three kids.


PLUS:
Do more off-ice workouts.
I've been very good about these. Short and simple, that's the ticket for me!

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Well the above is one goal that may not be met. As many of you have heard, I did not pass last week. I guess that means that I need to set a new goal of cleaning up the iffy elements and learning how to "settle down" while skating a program and not get too freaked out.

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Adult Nationals, 2009 "The Time of My Life"

You do have my sympathies, Terri. I really hope you nail down that test next time out.

May I point out, with due respect, that the title is "Spring AND SUMMER" so you haven't missed that goal yet - you've still got a few months. (September should count as summer, I think.)

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That's tough. I think that sometimes it's more important to train yourself mentally than it is physically. The worst is being fully capable of being able to do the test elements, but letting your mind get the better of you. I know - that's happened to me many times.

There's a quote by Douchan Gersi “Victory always starts in the head. It’s a state of mind. It then spreads with such radiance and such affirmation that destiny can do nothing but obey.” I like that one...

One of the things that helps me is to breathe deep and tell myself that if I don't pass, it's not the end of the world...that when my body is physically ready (or in some cases, when I am mentally prepared) then I will pass. Easier said than done, I know. Also, try thinking of everything like a practice with your coach. Finally, smile! This helps soooo much. Since skating synchro, I've been forced to smile and have found that it really helps relax you and put you at ease (take it from someone who used to be a very serious skater!). And if everything falls apart, at least you look like you were having fun!

Okay I've reevaluated myself, and this will probably change again before the summer starts depending on how much I accomplish by the end of school(June 20)

• land my axel clean
• Get a nice leaned back position on my layback instead of the flat back I have now
• Have 10+ rotations on my back camel
• Pass the PrePre MITF and FS tests
• Land a double, any double.
• Skate at least 5 hours a week.
• and on a non skating note: learn to play the violin and piano!

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10+ on a BACK camel, Laura? You are insane. I can't even get close to half of that on my REGULAR camel. Haha!

Both PrePre tests would be a piece of cake for you, I am sure. Just do a lutz in front of the judges so they don't waste their time!

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I can stretch it to 10 on a good day on my foward camel, so I'm hoping to get the back camel to the same level.

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