Ice skating.

Author
Discussion

backwoodsman

Original Poster:

2,463 posts

128 months

Sunday 21st September 2014
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After attending a few birthday parties with my kids, at a local ice ring, I have found I quite enjoy ice skating.

I'm not very good though.

Am I too old at the age of 38, to learn?

Should I get proper lessons, or go it alone at general use sessions?

Will I look daft, at my age, having lessons?

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
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You will not look daft having lessons, you will however look daft in the tutu....

Seriously though, the rate of learning will increase massively if you have lessons and you will enjoy it far more seeing real progression, go for it.

boobles

15,241 posts

214 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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I am 38 & just bought myself a pair of Bauer ice skates. Not been for few years but plan getting back into it.

Vealie

104 posts

125 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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I used to coach inline skating so here are a few things you can do to help yourself.

There is a wealth of info on You Tube that will guide you. Just get the basics right and you will be fine (assuming you have a normal level of athleticism!). Remember. Chin up, eyes level and hands out while you are getting started. Don't look at your feet. They will do just fine on their own. This basic posture will prevent *most* of the scenarios where you fall badly.

Also, wear padding. You may feel foolish but you'll be able to discard it once you achieve a degree of competence.

Finally, get some inline skates. The skills you learn on inlines are transferable to the ice. In fact, for some skills the ice is easier!

Good luck.

backwoodsman

Original Poster:

2,463 posts

128 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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I'll have a look at the Youtube videos.

And also check the differences between the hockey, and normal skates.

kazste

5,663 posts

197 months

Sunday 28th September 2014
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Go for it, im 34 and starting to learn as want to have a go af ice hockey. Apparently the skating part is quite important for the game!

Not thinki g I will get straight into the sport but figure a year of learning to skate followed by a year of stick handling drills on skates should get me into a amateur team. If not ill just get fat and be a net minder!

Crush

15,077 posts

168 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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I play ice hockey, started skating about 5 years ago and love it!

Where abouts do you live? A lot of rinks run SkateUK courses which are pretty good for picking up the basics (plus a lot allow you to stay on for the public skate sessions as well)

Only issue with SkateUK is that it is geared towards figure skating, so some of the moves are a bit more difficult on hockey skates.

Biggest issue I had when I started was getting the right size skates, most shops in the UK seem to flog what they have rather than what you need. I went through 6 pairs of skates before finding the correct size!!

Another issue that gets overlooked is the grinding of the blade, as I am pretty heavy I needed a shallower hollow whereas a lighter skater requires a deeper hollow.

Feel free to ask any questions biggrin

boobles

15,241 posts

214 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
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Who do you play for Crush if you don't mind me asking.

Seriously thought about this as a youngster but at 38 now, I think it's too late. frown

Crush

15,077 posts

168 months

Sunday 5th October 2014
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Played at Solent and Basingstoke rec teams smile

There are veteran teams for older players, they do cater for beginners.

I know that Cardiff and Basingstoke ice rinks run 'stick and puck' sessions which cater for absolute beginners (as long as you can skate forwards and stop) so worth looking into if you fancy it, 38 is not too old to get started!

boobles

15,241 posts

214 months

Monday 6th October 2014
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Crush said:
Played at Solent and Basingstoke rec teams smile

There are veteran teams for older players, they do cater for beginners.

I know that Cardiff and Basingstoke ice rinks run 'stick and puck' sessions which cater for absolute beginners (as long as you can skate forwards and stop) so worth looking into if you fancy it, 38 is not too old to get started!
I was a keen Bracknell Bees supporter for a number of years......

I live in Andover so Basingstoke would certainly be an option for me if I decide to give it a go. thumbup

Ice skating isn't the probelm for me, it would be learning how to do it with a stick in my hand.

Crush

15,077 posts

168 months

Monday 6th October 2014
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boobles said:
I was a keen Bracknell Bees supporter for a number of years......

I live in Andover so Basingstoke would certainly be an option for me if I decide to give it a go. thumbup

Ice skating isn't the probelm for me, it would be learning how to do it with a stick in my hand.
I do go to Monday morning stick & puck sessions if you fancied coming along, £10 from 0945-1045.

It's very weird when you first use the stick, but it eventually become second nature and you forget about skating and concentrate on the stick handling. I was always a rugby player so felt lost without the ball/ puck in my hands laugh

boobles

15,241 posts

214 months

Monday 6th October 2014
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Crush said:
I do go to Monday morning stick & puck sessions if you fancied coming along, £10 from 0945-1045.

It's very weird when you first use the stick, but it eventually become second nature and you forget about skating and concentrate on the stick handling. I was always a rugby player so felt lost without the ball/ puck in my hands laugh
If I could get Monday mornings of work, I would love to come along.... thumbup