Too old to learn?

[SinCityJenn]

Hi everyone. I'm 23 and was thinking of taking classes to learn figure skating. I've been ice skating but never tried to do anything but skate. Thought I would learn because I do think it would be fun, very challeging but fun. Being that I am 23 is that too old to try to learn? Will it be too difficult for a coach to teach someone my age? Will I get laughed at for being older trying to learn something I should have learned at 5? Any help so appreciated.

[icedancer2]

Hi everyone. I'm 23 and was thinking of taking classes to learn figure skating. I've been ice skating but never tried to do anything but skate. Thought I would learn because I do think it would be fun, very challeging but fun. Being that I am 23 is that too old to try to learn? Will it be too difficult for a coach to teach someone my age? Will I get laughed at for being older trying to learn something I should have learned at 5? Any help so appreciated.

You are DEFINITELY not too old -- I have known some excellent, excellent skaters who started in their twenties. It usually will take a great deal of dedication and hard work, but if you want to do it, I say "go for it!!".

I am sure there are many many skaters on this board who started as twenty-something adults (and beyond -- one lady I know started at 65 -- she skates every day and has really improved a lot in 2 years. You will find that skating is highly addictive!!).

Good luck and have fun. :bow:

[NCSkater02]

Wait until the rest of the adults get on here. I was 38 when I started. Never skated before. You are never too old to learn.

[SinCityJenn]

Wow...OK....another question I had was how long do people usually take classes/lessons before they can compete and what is usually the first competition they take?

[kisscid]

That really depends on you. There are competions for ALL levels of skaters. If you do either the ISI or USFSA learn to skate program you can pretty much compete once you can stroke around the ice without falling. Both have basic skills competions. I currently skate ISI learn to skate program (I'm 33). I went to my first competition 2 weeks ago. They had all different kinds of events to enter and it was separated by skate level and then by age. They have comps for basic stroking all the way up to folks doing doubles (higher too). Just let your coach know that you are interested in competing and they can help you work up a "game plan"
Cid

[SinCityJenn]

Thanks guys...guess I'll do it and just wing it.

[stogba]

I'm 53 taking my third session of beginning skating. I'm thrilled that this time I am not the oldest person in the group. There is a lady in her 60's. You are not ever too old if you want to do it! I'm living proof and enjoying every minute. At the rink I go to you just stay in the same adult class and the instructor individualizes the lessons for the ability level of your skating. I have learned alot and I am not done yet!

[sk8er1964]

Please come out and join us :D ! One of my skating friends started skating about a year and 1/2 ago - she's probaly in her early 30's, I'd guess - and she's doing her first competition next month 8-) at USFSA Adult Pre-Bronze!

Skating is a lot of fun, and adult skaters are the absolute best. You are still a kid (by adult standards :) ) , and you will probably find that the adult community will embrace you, support you, and help you along the way.

[dbny]

This thread really belongs on the On Ice - Skaters (http://www.skatingforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16) board, where you will get even more replies.

[Tessie]

Hi everyone. I'm 23 and was thinking of taking classes to learn figure skating. I've been ice skating but never tried to do anything but skate. Thought I would learn because I do think it would be fun, very challeging but fun. Being that I am 23 is that too old to try to learn? Will it be too difficult for a coach to teach someone my age? Will I get laughed at for being older trying to learn something I should have learned at 5? Any help so appreciated.

You can't start any younger now can you? I posted before and I will post again. I began skating again, this time with lessons, to unlearn all the bad habits (toe pushing and no edges) from self teaching as a kid. I restarted at 43, Now 4 years and severly broken wrist later. I look forward to my lessons and seek ice time every where I travel for work!

Go for it! We were all beginners at one point, and you will find in the adult world of lessons people are very supportive of your progress and struggles as you go through the elements. I have made friends that I would not have made otherwise....I can go on and on but you need to see for yourself.

[junkety]

I wish I'd been able to start skating lessons at 23! :) Too old to start? Not in my book. I started taking adult-beginner skating lessons when I was 42 and absolutely love skating. I was lucky to end up with a coach who's wonderful -- skilled and supportive and understanding of how hard it is to start this sport as an adult (we'd all love to have started when we were 5!). I was afraid of being laughed at, too -- I put off signing up for classes for more than a year for that reason -- and later I kicked myself, because the only laughter was that of pure enjoyment of what we were all learning and finding ourselves able to do. Even when you can't master a particular skill right away, you've got friends in class who understand and share your temporary frustration as well as your hope and determination.

I hope you'll go with your love of skating and join the rest of us "adult beginners." All I can say is that I love it and just wish I'd ventured onto the ice sooner. :) Good luck!

[fadedstardust]

Never too old to start learning how to skate, I agree with everyone. However it depends what you want to do with it. If you want to go to the Olympics, I won't say it'll never happen because hey WHY NOT? but it's not likely. If you want to compete at the Nationals and World championships you see on tv, again, why not, but not likely. You can go down the regular track in testing, but to compete in regular track competition you'll need to reach Novice level before you can compete (tests and competitions are separate things and you need to test up to a certain level before you can compete in said level)- that's when they start dropping age restrictions. Novices have most of their triple jumps when they compete. If you can spend quite a bit of time and money getting to the rink everyday and taking numerous daily lessons and it is your dream to get there, then I don't see why not.

However if you want to take it a little more laid back and are doing it more "for fun" then when you turn 25 (and as I've heard, some competitions have an 18-25 young adult section) you can compete in Adult Nationals, and other adult competitions. To do this you need to test the adult track, which is slightly (and I emphasize slightly because that is only what I read, and I don't test down that track so I wouldn't know) easier to get through. It is, as I've gathered from being on here, more welcoming and more about comraderie, whereas yes, if you go down the regular track and compete with us then we're pretty much all out to get each other and you MAY get made fun of, I won't lie. Depends where you skate. Depends what you want. I think you can do either. If you want to progress fast I'd suggest getting into private lessons right away- contact a rink with a figure skating club and speak to the president of the club about which coach would suit you best. If you're doing it more for fun, I would suggest taking group lessons, you might be the oldest one there but honestly- no one will care, those little kids probably will be excited to have an older skater to look up to even if you are learning the same stuff. Trust me there, I've seen it happen. GOOD LUCK!!!

[Chico]

I started skating a few years back after an injury. I'm not exactly a shining star, but I have accomplished much in the time I've been skating. I never would have believed a few years back I would be trying the things I now do or try. It's great exercise, a fun place to make friends, and one heck of a challenge. Adult skaters can learn and accomplish much if they work at it. Go for it and enjoy.

Chico

[sk8er1964]

However if you want to take it a little more laid back and are doing it more "for fun" then when you turn 25 (and as I've heard, some competitions have an 18-25 young adult section) you can compete in Adult Nationals, and other adult competitions.

Hee hee, I qualified for the championship Gold event last April, and my mom served as my coach because my coach couldn't come. She comapred us to a bunch of nervous thoroughbreds before a big race. Most adult comps are a lot of fun, but AN, especially the championship events, are all business.

That said, when it is all over, we hug and smile and go out for a drink and a party! Lots of fun!

[backspin]

Adding my voice to the bunch:

I started at 27, & have every intention of testing all the way through my gold dances, standard track. AND through my senior moves. It will take probably at least 4 more years, but I will get there.

I also coach now too, which I have found that I LOVE, I'm good at it, & it is extremely rewarding! You never know where skating will take you! I have tons of friends in several cities who I met because of skating. I've met & taken seminars w/ some famous skaters (as have many posters on this board). I'm coached by a former Olympian.

Work hard and there are wonderful opportunities that will open themselves up to you! I hope you love it as much as the rest of us.......and, welcome to the ice! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Justine_R]

You are definetly not too old too learn!..there are many skaters older then you are.
23 is young....and skating is a great sport you will really like it!
Go for it:)

[TashaKat]

It's never too late if it's something that you want to do! I started at the age of 32 (unfortunately don't skate at the moment) and tested up to UK Bronze (when it 'meant' Bronze) and was working for Inter-Silver (broke my wrist which put paid to that).

There are lots of people skating who are much, much older than you. We have a 70-something lady who skates beautifully and regularly wins classes .... in one programme that I saw (an artistic number) she ended up on her back on the ice doing back stroke!!!! I also used to know an 80-something gentleman who was still going to dance club every week! Compared to these guys you're a sprink chicken hunny. Just GO FOR IT and enjoy .... oh, and come over to 'On Ice' and join in the discussions :)



x

[SinCityJenn]

Thanks for all the replies guys....I live in Vegas and right now we only have one main ice rink. I'm mostly doing it for fun but if I can compete a little that's fine too. Def not interested in the Olympics. Being that I do live in Vegas I don't think there will be a lot of adults lining up to take the class, but I'm going to do it anyways. Thanks again guys! :bow:

[IcePrincess]

That is so awesome that you have found joy in skating and want to take it up! 23 is not old at all! And you can skate competitively (yes you could even go to Nationals if you have the drive and are willing to put the work into it!) Its NOT too late. Hey, now you never have to worry about growth spurts ruining your jumps cause you are already done growing! If you want anything in life enough, you can get it. You just have to know you can in your mind and you CAN do it! Ludmila and Oleg Protopopov went to the Olympics and WON GOLD in 1968 when Oleg was 36 and Ludmila was 33! Anything is possible! Believe in yourself! :)

[SinCityJenn]

Thanks guys....will def work at it...just scared of falling and breaking something or hitting my head on the ice to the point of concussions and comas...... 8O I know....what a ray of sunlight I am huh? LOL :lol:

[NCSkater02]

just scared of falling and breaking something or hitting my head on the ice to the point of concussions and comas...... 8O

Been there, done that, have the t-shirt. You get over it...or at least I have so far. I've had two concussions, and many, many bruises, including my tibia and patella. And let me tell you, bone bruises take forever to heal. I skated though it, painful as it was. I kept on because I enjoy it too much.

[SinCityJenn]

Well that's good...hopefully I can do the same...like the saying goes: you fall off a horse, you get back on however, I HAVE jumped from a horse and needless to say I haven't gotten back on one yet.. :cry: But I will keep at this skating thing.

[doubletoe]

Don't worry about the injuries. As long as you take everything step by step and don't throw yourself into trying something you're not ready to do, you should be fine. I took my first skating class at 27 and I have skated on and off for 7 years and never had a serious injury.
I started landing my first double at 38 (double salchow) and just got my second double at 39 (double toeloop). I'm expecting to start landing double loops soon, and I'll probably land my first double flip at 40! So if you're only 23, the sky's the limit for you! :D

[SinCityJenn]

I'm always scared of something...I'm a wuss, what can I say.. :lol: I look forward to the many falls my clutzy butt will take. LOL

[kayskate]

I started skating at about 25. I had skated occasionally as a child and had roller skates to skate in the street, but no lessons or competitive experience. So when I started as an adult, it was my first real commitment to skating. I am now 37 and have achieved a lot in my yrs of skating (some time on and off for various reasons). I think since I started relatively young, I was able to learn certain moves more easily than if I had started ten yrs later. IMO, the sooner the better. 23 is young for an "adult" skater.

Kay