how old is eveyone?

[karowicz45]

I am in my 40s and I want to take lessons, and I am not as lite as I was, any replys welcome

[Spinner]

You'll find out tomorrow... ;)

[what?meworry?]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

and i started out old! of course you can learn to skate! just don't expect much in the results dept.


(visualize whirled peas)

[karowicz45]

thats doesnt sound so good, I workout , swim ,ride a bike, hmmm , roller blade, i hope to at least learn a little more on skating , maybe a flip or too :lol:

[Elsy2]

You'll be fine and will probably learn several jumps in your first or second year depending on the time you put into it. I started a few months prior to my 43rd birthday, and was competing at about the two year mark. I lost 15 lbs. in the first year too. Go for it!

[Gaela]

Well, I'm 44 and want to start lessons too--this summer. Mostly I just want to have fun. Am in pretty good shape but I don't expect much, other than to have a blast and fall on my fanny constantly.

[BittyBug]

You're never too old - there are several women at my rink who started skating in their forties and can do doubles. I think the two biggest challenges as an adult are (a) fear, and (b) finding the time to practice.

You may find some perspective on the world of adult figure skating in this web site (http://www.skatejournal.com/) - read some of the journal entries.

[Pupiczech]

I'm OLD and a bunch of my friends have suggested that I take up skating to help me loose a little bit more weight (lost 122 lbs so far) and tighten up some "stuff". I'm thinking seriously of doing it.

I am 55.

[Meredith]

Originally posted by Pupiczech
I'm OLD . . . I am 55.

Careful. ;)

[Debbie S]

I'm 31, and started skating a year and a half ago. I have learned (so far) all single revolution jumps through the flip - no lutz or axel yet. I can do a scratch and a sit spin - just started learning the camel. I say go for it.

You can start at the Basic Skills (or beginning ISI) level, or you can take classes that are designed for adults (a special USFSA sequence) who don't want to learn to jump or spin but want to skate purely for exercise and enjoyment. Not all rinks offer classes like that, though, so you may need to do some investigating. In my area, it's hard to find Basic Skills classes that cater just to adults - at my rink, ages are mixed, and a separate adult group is only formed if there are enough people for a separate class. I started out with kids, which really wasn't so bad. The age range has varied depending on which class I was taking at the time - each level was different. Currently, I'm in Freestyle level 5 (USFSA sequence), and my class has 2 girls who look about 8, a girl who looks about 11, the father of one of the "about 8" girls, and me. The instructor does a great job dealing with the different ages in the group. I personally find the younger ones very inspiring - they get so excited about learning each thing and work very hard. But depending on your preferences, you may not want to be in such a mixed class.

I would call around to various rinks in your area to see what kind of lessons they offer and if they have anything specifically geared to adults. Then figure out what sounds best for you - it will depend on exactly what you want to learn.

Good luck - you may want to check out the On Ice section of the forum - most of the skaters who post there are adults - at all different skill levels.

[marlyn]

You are never too old!! I am 37. I am an ex-skater, and just returned after a 16 year hiatus from the sport! I have re-learned all my single jumps, and have great aspirations to land a double salchow in the next year!! One can always hope! So............I say "Go for it"!!!!!

[karowicz45]

thanks everyone for your replys

[BJY4EVR]

I coach many women who are well into their 30s and 40s and do extremely well... I agree that you're never too old to start or re-start, but you get out of it what you put into it!

[what?meworry?]

i certify that how you "do" as in jumps, progress in isa or usfsa skills levels, doesn't count as much as the exercise and sense of accomplishment you get from learning, practicing, and eventual achieving, the skill levels in skating.

also, the exercise is great. i love to skate fast, fast, fast. even though i scare the h--l our of my fellow old fa--s on the ice. i do confess, i'm not exactly totally in control when i skate fast, therefore their concern is justified.

[karowicz45]

:lol: Thank you all for the replys I feel so much better , to hear that thiers people my age still skating. Because when I went to check out the ice skate rink all I saw was ting girls jumping spinning and the mothers setting in the waitng arena , you all have been so kind thank you Karen in chicago:D

[Ariadne]

I am 44 and I wish I could start skating -- there is actually not even a rink in my town (Wilmington NC).

As it is, I study dance & yoga and teach Middle Eastern dance, and many of the people who start my classes wonder if they're starting too old. Maybe, if you want to be a world class professional -- but bodies get "younger" when you excercise them (as long as it's with good supervision and advice and attention to each body's need).

[dbny]

Originally posted by karowicz45
thats doesnt sound so good, I workout , swim ,ride a bike, hmmm , roller blade, i hope to at least learn a little more on skating , maybe a flip or too :lol:

All in your favor, especially the rollerblading. People who have rollerbladed pretty much put on figure skates and can skate. They also usually do not have the big beginner problem of pushing with their toe picks.

Originally posted by pupiczech
I'm OLD and a bunch of my friends have suggested that I take up skating to help me loose a little bit more weight (lost 122 lbs so far) and tighten up some "stuff". I'm thinking seriously of doing it.

I am 55.

I have you beat by a year! I started figure skating 2.5 years ago. I was a gold roller dancer in my previous life, but then became a couch potato for about 30 years, after going through downhill skiing, tae-kwan-do, badminton and squash. Getting on the ice helped me lose 45 pounds and regain a bit of my former fitness.

Go for it :!:

[fsfan]

22 here

[AshBugg44]

I'm 17.

[GreekGoddess85]

I am 17 too :)

[kayskate]

I'm 36, started skating at 26. You can learn the basic spins and singles (except the axel) fairly readily. W/in 2-3 years. However, doing them well and simply doing them depends on a lot of factors. I know adults who have learned the axel. It is a big commitment. I worked on it for a couple of yrs. Got a fairly consistent under-rotated version. Had better luck with the 2sal. Now I really don't do those jumps anymore. I focus more on the quality of my basic skating. I've taken up dance and still do spins and single jumps.

Give skating a try. I know people of all ages (and sizes) who skate.

Kay

[Canadian Chick]

I'm 17 too :)

[GreekGoddess85]

Originally posted by Canadian Chick
I'm 17 too :)

hey Kiki LOL I thought it was you ;)
am I the only one who kept the same sn from sasha fans ;) LOL

[annkirstin]

Wow, this thread is a great inspiriation to me, hearing that 40 and 50 year olds can learn jumps and spins too...I've wanted to know how to skate since age 7 when I saw the 1988 Olympics but I lived in a place that didn't have a rink. I live in a different place now but it doesn't have a rink either. I will be 23 in 3 weeks and knowing that people much older than I have learned jumps and spins tells me that I am not too old to learn them too! I always thought you had to start as a young kid in order to be able to learn cool skills like jumps and that my chance had passed long ago. I should be leaving this town where I live now for somewhere bigger (& hopefully with a rink!) within 2 years or so, and now I know I'm not too old to learn after all! Yippee! Just to learn single jumps and some spins would be a dream come true!

[GoldieMedal]

I am 40, I have my Junior Bronze Free, Preliminary Skills, Junior Bronze Dances and 2 Senior Bronze Dances and I passed the Introductory, Bronze ans Silver interpretive Tests.I passed 4 Skate Canada Tests in a few weeks of each other.

I love to skate and I started skating again at age 36 and competing as well.I volunteer when and wherever I am needed.

Goldie Medal

[FSWer]

HEY, there!!!!! I was going through the "who's on-line" list and saw that you were registering and thought I would be first to reply to your post. Welcome to our happy family!!!!! Well about me....I'm 35, and a huge Skating fan. Also, one of my fav. disciplines is Ice-Dance. I sure would love to learn to skate someday. Please feel free to PM. me ANYTIME!! You've just got a friend.

[FSWer]

LOL,sorry,I thought I was the first one to reply here,as my computer didn't show me the whole thread.

[Maureen]

I am 57 and I started skating two years ago. In addition to great exercise, you will have the satisfaction of learning to do something you love. Also, you will find that it takes a lot of focus and practice and really relieves any stress you have.

On Long Island where I live, there are many adult classes and people begin at all ages. There are skaters in our public sessions in their 70s and 80s who trained for the Olympics before World War II. Many are speed skaters and have skated all their lives.

You will love it!

[Hester Prynn]

Maureen, as a youngin who used to skate in the NYC area... I can't wait to get back up there. There's so much diversity in the sport up there that we just don't have here in Florida. My congrats for skating and sticking in it!! At Sunshine State Games last year, our older competitor was 86. She got the loudest applause out of anyone! After seeing that, I concluded that not ALL of figure skating is rotten!

me... I'm 18, been skating for 7 years and going off to college this summer. I'm going to teach and attempt to skate occasionally. But I give everyone props for skating!!

*hp

[Maureen]

Hester,

You're right! This sport has really opened up to adults in the last ten years up here. Sometimes I just look around the rink and everyone is focused on their own thing. I just love the fact that people of all ages can do and enjoy something together.

Be sure to make some time for skating at college and enjoy!

Maureen

[dooobedooo]

It's not to do with how old you are, more to do with your attitude.

Although it may take you twice as long as the kids to get a particular move, you should be capable of eventually working towards a camel and layback spin and at least one double jump, and gaining enough dance skills to master at least up to the silver dances.

But most all it's really good fun, endlessly challenging, sociable and great exercise. So just go for it and enjoy it!

[karowicz45]

:D thank all i am so glad to hear I sm not crazy, you should of seen my mother when I told her i was going to get fitted for skates(shes 70)and i am 47 any wayoh I buy them for you, I said ma thier 250.00 bucks .besides I payed for them all ready. she was 8O on the price,I said well thats for a beginner adlut skate (reidell220) the one I would of like re the comp reidells, then my lessons 150.00, and i am having fun to , I have enough padding on my body lol for the falls , thanks for all yoors replys:P

[dbny]

Originally posted by karowicz45
[BI have enough padding on my body lol for the falls [/B]

Me too, except for the knees. Do yourself a big favor and get a $6 pair of soft knee pads, available from most sporting goods stores in the volleyball section. You are guaranteed to hit the knees hard more than once, and the pads are 100% effective.

Meanwhile, welcome to the ranks of adult skating! Come over to "On Ice - Skaters Chat" and tell us how it goes.

[hippiechick]

OK so what kind of skates are you adult skaters buying? Are you getting the $900 + Harlick's that the kids have or have you found something else?

[ddpskater]

Hi. 44 and restarted skating in my late 30's when my kids started taking lessons. (Only skated round and round in my youth). Probably will take my pre-pre test this summer. Skated Delta at ISI Worlds last year. It's a blast! (In response to the last poster, I do have those expensive Harliclks b/c my feet are a whole size different and my stock Silver Star Reidells never ever fit, not to mention being way too much skate for a beginner when I got them. ) But if you have normal feet, Jackson's now seem to be a good less expensive starter boot that can be heat mioded and is readily available. Best to try or at least look at a few so you can see the differences in shape and heel. DDP

[dbny]

Originally posted by hippiechick
OK so what kind of skates are you adult skaters buying? Are you getting the $900 + Harlick's that the kids have or have you found something else?

After a first used pair of Silver Stars that were too deep in the heel and too narrow in the toe, and a second used pair of Klingbeils, and a trip to Klingbeil for my daughter, that's the way I went. My Klingbeils are worth every penny, and the fixed price of $495 is considerably less than what you end up paying to anyone else after they get through nickel and dime-ing you for all the little extras.

[annkirstin]

I know this will probably be a stupid question but I know nothing about skates. Is it possible to do things like jumps & spins in off-the-rack skates, for people (like me) who have no money to spend on good skates (esp. after the cost of lessons)?

[karowicz45]

riedells 220 $235.00! sometimes the proshop will let you pay them off little by little ,* like I did* or jacksons mistque (spelling)they a good skate, try finding a *proshop* they will help you, sometimes they have used ones,* but they my let you* make payments to them < I put some money down , then I payed what ever I could till <I payed them off. and when you go to a proshop for skates they help you find the right fit and blades you need for beginners , I a so a new beginner.:oops: but I am having fun:P

[karowicz45]

Originally posted by hippiechick
OK so what kind of skates are you adult skaters buying? Are you getting the $900 + Harlick's that the kids have or have you found something else? [/B] [/quote] I have reidells 220's with the excel balde for now. I love them , I got mine for 150.00so I am very happy:P

[CanAmSk8ter]

Originally posted by annkirstin
I know this will probably be a stupid question but I know nothing about skates. Is it possible to do things like jumps & spins in off-the-rack skates, for people (like me) who have no money to spend on good skates (esp. after the cost of lessons)?

You mean from like Target or Wal-Mart? Generally, no. It's not a good idea to even try, because they don't have a) enough ankle support and b) the right kind of blade to make it safe. I would post this in the On-Ice forum, too, but mostof us there think that unless your rink has the awful plastic-boot rentals, you're better off doing beginning lessons in rentals that buying your own cheap skates. That's what I tell my adult beginners and parents of young beginners.

[dbny]

Originally posted by annkirstin
I know this will probably be a stupid question but I know nothing about skates. Is it possible to do things like jumps & spins in off-the-rack skates, for people (like me) who have no money to spend on good skates (esp. after the cost of lessons)?

If you can spare $50, go to a pro shop (preferably one recommended by a skater) and try on a pair of Riedell 112's. Ask for one size smaller than your shoe size. Be sure to wear tights or knee highs, not socks. If they fit, they are well worth the small investment to find out how much you like skating. After you are hooked, you can start saving for a better model or looking for a used pair.

[annkirstin]

Thanks for the advice. $50 I could handle (or more accurately, my husband would actually let me spend! :roll: ). Since I won't be in a city/town with a rink for a year or two, I could start saving little by little now for skates & lessons.

[liljimeo]

I'm 19.. Started skating when I was 9ish but didn't get competitive til I was 14.. I had to quit due to work and school. I had SP TERI Deluxes.. They are the rockstars of figure skating boots.

[Maureen]

In started out with an inexpensive pair of skates and used them for about a year. Once I became involved, I invested in a pair of Klingbeils as well. They are an investment but mine fit like a glove. I have never had a problem with them. As a adult whose feet are not growing, I will probably have these for life.

Maureen

[hippiechick]

Thanks! I'm thinking of starting lessons and I am not in my 20's. I'll leave it at that! :D Do you start out with 15 minute lessons? How many times a week?

[dbny]

Originally posted by hippiechick
Thanks! I'm thinking of starting lessons and I am not in my 20's. I'll leave it at that! :D Do you start out with 15 minute lessons? How many times a week?

I started with half hour lessons once a week. Then, for a while, I split the half hour with my husband. Now we each have a half hour, and if he can't make it or has an asthma problem, I take the whole hour. The first time I did that, I didn't think I'd get through it, but it turned out to be exhilirating.

[hippiechick]

Then how much time do you spend skating per week when you are not in a lesson?

[CanAmSk8ter]

I know far too many beginners who come in once a week for a thirty-minute group lesson and a thirty-minute practice and that's it for the week. I would reccommend doing that but also coming for a public session once a week. It's possible to progress without practicing between lessons, but you'll go along faster if you practice.

[NYSk8Fan]

Maureen,

Where do you find adult classes on LI - or did you do private lessons?

[Maureen]

The best thing to do is to check around. There are Adult Classes in Newbridge Arena in Bellmore. That is where I started. You can also check with Iceland in New Hyde Park and Long Beach Arena in Long Beach. I know that Newbridge and Long Beach have a web page so you can also email them. Cantiague in Hicksville had adult classes when I started but there was a lottery for places since this is a county park.

I took group lessons for one year in Bellmore and then I started with a coach. She was my instructor in Bellmore.

For all beginners, time to practice is very important. I skate in Public Sessions in the morning during the week. The sessions are not usually crowded. There are morning sessions at Newbridge, Long Beach, Cantiague and Iceland. Call for days and times. If you live in Suffolk you should call the arenas out there.

It is important to wear gloves and a hat or at least a headband.

Maureen

ps Another place to check would be the Port Washington Skating Academy.

[FSWer]

Hi Godiemedal. Please forgive me for posting this? But I was wondering..do you have a sister named Ashley? Because if so,I've seen her site and it's really COOL!!! I have also seen her skate.