Adult Skaters

[DressageChica]

Hello everyone. I am new here, but I wanted to ask a question. My mom put me on the ice the earliest she could and I skated until the age of 11 or 12. However, I gave it all up for showing horses. I have been showing horses for the past 6 years and next year I will be going off to college. I want my mom to skate again, because for so many years she has given up her interests so that I can live my own. My mom skated during her 20's and 30's but was forced to give it up when she put me into skating lessons and then into horses. She was quite good. But now she is in her mid 50's. She feels that she won't be the skater she was years ago- and she won't. But I'm trying to convince her that you can still skate at an older age. Perhaps I'm being naive. My question is, are there skaters out there who are in their mid 50's but just skate for fun? I believe you're only too old when you're dead. Thanks!

[dbny]

This is a topic that comes up every once in a while, so I'll point you to the last thread: ADULT SKATERS (http://www.skatingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12370)

The short answer, BTW, is that there are a lot of us in our mid 50's who skate for fun, and many who never skated as children!

[flippet]

There are skaters in their 50s and older who not only skate for fun, but also compete! I'll never forget being at a couple of competitions where a woman in her 70s was competing, and having the time of her life. :D

You'll find a lot more about and from adult skaters in the On Ice section of these boards. :) Have your mom drop by...she just might get bitten by the skating bug again!

[DressageChica]

You guys are really great! Thanks so much for all your helpful advice. I definately think I will talk my mom into joining this great forum. I'm so afraid that I might be bitten by the skating bug as well when she starts back. I was just looking at my sparkley hot pink skate gaurds from when i was 10 and my heart took a leap. You guys sound like you are a great group for "emotional" support. My mom was once a great skater (I believe she competed at the ISIA Nationals..or something like that. I've forgotten all of the terms!). I'm afraid that if she starts again she will become easily frustrated knowing that she was an amazing skater, and now she'll have to start from scratch again. I can't thank you enough! Great forum!!

[Mel On Ice]

I think there are 4 women on my synchro team in their 50s. One of the top adult skaters, who regularly competes at Nationals, will be turning 50 this year. There's lots of life left in them legs!

[garyc254]

I just turned 50 and started skating 2 years ago.

If she skated when she was younger, she'll be able to do a lot of the things she used to do after a few practice sessions.

After a recent local newspaper article about the health benefits of adult skating we've seen a lot of adults who used to skate returning to the ice. Most in their 50's and 60's.

Tell your mom that it's the "in" thing to do. ;)

[vesperholly]

I did the same thing with my mom and ballet. She was a serious dancer until she went to college (wrong body type for company work) and never really went back with any regularity after career and kids kicked in. A few years ago I forced her to go to an adult ballet class with me. I knew she wanted to go but she never initiated it before. I ended up dropping out after a few sessions because I was too busy with work and skating, but she has continued on and loves it. My mom is 54.

Maybe if you go with her to some public sessions, or even sign up for lessons together, it would be a fun bonding thing. Now instead of mom taking kid to lessons, kid takes mom! :D