Well i know people get annoyed by this quetion and i am sorry. But do you think I am to old to start figure skating? I am 14 now but i would probably stat closer t when i am 15. I really want to start and I hope to make it to the olympics. I already can skate well and can turn fairly good. I dont play hockey so i dont have any sloppy or bad habits. I go pubblic skating every friday at a nearby arena and teach myself new tricks. right now i am working on skating backwards and i am learning fast. what do you think? Advice will be greatly appreciated!
MiKe

There's always a chance that you could make it, but even if you started at a much younger age the odds of you making it are pretty slim. Take up the sport because you love to skate, not because you want to get to the Olympics. I started at 21 - I don't plan on competing at all but I enjoy it so much that that's all that matters - to me anyway.

Thank-you. That really upped my spirits! I think I will join i just have to convince my mom because i dont know if we can afford it.

I recently went to watch a skating competition, and there was an 71 year old man who won third place. He could do a double jump, and all kinds of spins. It was very cool!

I bet u will catch on very fast, becuase ur a boy. Boys tend to catch on more than girls, and they have less body features that would slow them down, like breasts and hips, lol and men just have the height issue. By your name i'm guesing you do dance, and dance helps skating a lot.

Yup, go for it! But don't keep thinking about the Olympics because it takes quite abit of hard work to get there, and not everyone has the chance to go even if they reach that standard. It's a good goal though!
Also, Hockey doesn't really give you bad bad habits. It builds up strength, agility and helps you to learn discipline as well. That all is really useful in figure skating

For the whle hockey thing i meant getting used to skating "hockey style" and stuff like that.

I was also wondering...what is the difference between an axel, a loop, a toe, and sow cow?

Thanks a lot!
Mike

If you go to sk8stuff.com you can see videos of all the different jumps, but I'll briefly explain assuming you're a counterclockwise skater -

Axel - forward take off on the left foot outside edge, 1 and 1/2 revolutions in the air (for a single), land right back outside edge

Loop - take off from the right back outside edge, land on the right back outside edge

Salchow - take off from the left back inside edge, land on the right back outside edge

Toe loop - take off from right back outside edge, pick with the left foot, land right back outside edge

Flip - take off left back inside edge, toe pick with the right foot, land on the right back outside edge

Lutz - take off left back outside edge, toe pick with the right foot, land on the right back outside edge

Hope this helps - but definitely watch the videos to see the differences in the jumps - largely in the take off edge, and whether or not you use your toe pick. Some jumps also require a transfer of weight while others stay over the same side.

Thank-you. and yes i am a counter-clockwise turner. It made a difference and i watched the videos.
Mike

I think you should start lessons as soon as possible, and see how you like it. You could also try and get more ice time now.

www.dance.net . . .

Check out the above post for lots of good links.

Hey, if you're serious about lessons, why don't you go over to your rink when you're free and work on skating? You can practice going forwards and backwards and crossovers without having anyone teach them to you - if you know how to skate abit.
That way, you can build up some leg strength and arm strength and stamina, so that you can progress much faster when you finally get your lessons.
All the best! Also - make friends with skaters at your rink. Its nice to have company and they can help you along abit if you get stuck!

Thanks. That sounds like a fantastic idea!
Mike

Just go and get some lessons if you would like to do competative skating before you get too many bad habits which self taught people do get

As for going to the olympics it may be a far cry as it is to skaters who started early in life there are not many that can have that honour so they have to be fantastic in what they do

The skaters who get to the olympics or even worlds etc do train every day if not on the ice it will be off in the gym or at dancing etc.In other words it is a full time comitment and no easy feat

Having said all that just go and enjoy and see what happens

Good luck in all you do

Mama DD's xxx

I've been thinking of starting up skating as well. I skated as a little kid in preliminary and Freestyle 4 and I just want to get back into it for a fitness thing. Hopefully it won't be too difficult for me to skate after 11 years off the ice!

As for starting things late, a year and a half ago (at age 20) I started dancing competitively again and I'm preparing for my second Nationals and this past December I only missed qualifying for the World Championships by one spot and 1.5 points. So if you are really willing to put everything into something it doesn't matter what age you are as long as you love it!

I"m glad I made this post. Every one is so helpful and it is getting me motivated. I just have to see if my family can afford lessons and if i have time to do it. I also have to check at my local arena to see what the options are.

I meant to put this before but i forgot. I have been skating with hockey skates not figure skates if it makes a difference. i have been having trouble trying to find men's figure skates. is there anything some one can give me like a tip? Help would be great!

Thanx
Mike

male figure skates are soo expenisivve, my brother skated, and what we did is bought womens skates, and got them profeissanlly painted black. You will notice that your backwards skating is a lot easier to adjust to from hockey skates to figure skates. I play hockey and figure skate, and i find it easier backward skating with hockey skates, becuase the edges are so much alike.
But defineally womens skates painted black, at your local figure skating shop.

Let me tell you, it does make a difference! Hockey skates have a "rounded" blade, in a slight "c" shape, so hockey players can corner and turn more quickly. Figure skates are flat and have a toe pick, which is necessary for some kinds of jumps.

Um I figure skate and play midget hockey, backwards skating is almost the exact feeling that u get with both blades. The blades are different but backwards is very simliar with both skates on

^ Maybe it's because you're used to skating with both types of blades. I tried hockey skates once and really coudn't get much done with them. I wasn't used to the curvature and the lack of toepick and short blade (at the back).
I guess you'll only know for yourself when you try figure boots on.

You're never too old to start figure skating. In the club I'm in, we have kids from age 3 to senior citizens. I would suggest looking into local skating clubs in your area and take lessons with either a group or a private coach.

I started skating at 14 - then had to quit for a year and I;m 16 now. Im hoping to make it with Disney on Ice!! IT just takes determination, perseverence and practice. Don't give up when it gets tough!!!

I was almost 14 when I started skating and was doing triples by the time I was seventeen (not well, mind you, but jumps were always weak for me...), so if you put in the hard work and effort, the chance is always there. Also, didn't Johnny Weir start skating at an older age ? I believe he was twelve and look where he is now. If you are able to start skating (start with group-lessons, if those are offered !), then good-luck and have fun with it !

wow Erinyean_Dreams starting triples that fast, u must catch on so well