That's good as I can do the toe loop fine. Just my wretched Salchow is kind of hit and miss, when I did my silver level the other week I had a good day so did it all the time which is why I passed it, but this week, I can't do it at all

Skate Uk 1-10 takes as long as need be. Officially each of the 1 -10 should take 6 weeks so thats about 60weeks in total and then you do the bronze, Silver, Gold. Some rinks allow you to advance quicker, i.e. if they can see that you can do level 3 stuff they'll put you into level 4 but some rinks will make you do all the levels from scratch.

Thats cos they make more money that way!

Hi,
I really want to learn to ice skate to. I'm 20 and i've recently thought about going to the beginners course at my rink back home when i come home from uni. My friend is also thinking about coming with me. However, we're really not that interested in getting a certificate and things like that we just want to be able confidently go ice skating lol. My friend also gets a little bit freaked out by the thought of practical exams infront of alot of otehr people. So i was wondering about taking private lessons. And those prices seems quite reasonable but will they take the both of us during the same sessions ie wud we have to pay double?

I think you could have an hour and then split that up between you.

Blimey Priggy, I started skating in January (our rink shut for 2 weeks in Feb/Mar and by June I was working on Silver Level.

Hey have any of you guys got any advice for buying a new pair of skates i.e. the fit .... what kind of socks you should wear with them ....

I had a cheap pair, but quickly realised they provided no support so am going to get some Risport have been going once a week for 2hrs with a friend who is teaching me (our waiting list for skate Uk is about 2yrs for beginners!!) but will hopefully get some lessons soon ....

Yeah I think myself and my friend may come along and see what it's all about this Friday!



With regards to boots, it depends what level you're at really. You don't want anything too stiff for your level, but you want something that'll give you support.
Risport and Jackson are the main popular one's really, you can't really go wrong with them.
I've got a pair of Jackson's at the mo, but they've got too much give now & giving me no support. As I'm at a much higher level now than a year ago, I'm treating myself to some RF3's

If your really into learning. buy good quality skates, as your ankes will suffer, with cheap ones or ones that other have worn. you need good tough leather at the sides, I went ice skating for three years. but never had lessons. wish I would have.. but loved the exercise, excitement and fun in skating.. wish there were more rinks around..

I don't agree with this.

Good quality skates that others have broken in can be a godsend to a beginner skater. You have to check they have not broken down too far but a good second hand pair are fine for learn to skate and give you time to decide what sort of skates you like/can afford rather than shelling out a lot on brand new skates that may end up being unsuitable.

You really don't want to be over-booted (i.e one that is too stiff) as a beginner - that's what makes a lot of people give up.

Rachel29 - see you Friday - but no giving away my forum identity!

Kellenn - wear the thinnest socks you can find. You dont' want thick socks as it makes it difficult to feel the boot properly and can make your foot slip or something . Anyway thin socks or even tights are better.

I loved doing School figures. A bit technical but a marvellous sense of achievement if successful, after a fashion.

It's a doddle to get through the first few levels of skate UK. Once you get to 6 upwards it needs more practice I think.

You absolutely have to be able to practice on top of your lesson - you won't get anywhere fast with just one lesson a week.

Yes I pay the ice time (public session or patch) fee plus the £16 to my coach.

Practise is certainly a must, I agree. If you just turn up for your lesson and don't do anything else, you won't progress quickly at all.

Does anyone else have Risport skates? Just trying to scope out how people are finding them and what level boot you use?

I'm sure there's nothing "official" from NISA about taking six weeks per level but some rinks like to maximize the amount of money they extract from punters by insisting on only one level every cycle of classes. I'm sure that approach puts people off and is counter-productive.

My rink doesn't do that so on my first Skate UK lesson I was bumped up a class and on the second lesson I was bumped up again. At the end of my first (and only) six week set of group classes I was at Skate UK Level 5.


Lorelei Lee, I think it's wonderful you're thinking about learning to skate. Be warned that it is addictive and you may soon display all the signs of AOSS (Adult Onset Skating Syndrome)

You are by no means too old - I'm at least ten years older than you (and then some!) and only started skating properly about a year ago (nothing to do with Dancing on Ice!). It's really good exercise both physically and mentally.

There is no set rate at which to progress. Unless you're competing in Dancing on Ice, it's really not a race to get good quickly. It's nice to progress quickly but every now and again you'll find that a particular movement stops you in your tracks and you just don't seem to be able to get the hang of it. For a lot of people, three turns take ages to master. It could be like that for weeks or months but then, when you least expect it, it will suddenly click and you'll wonder why you struggled so much.

It's also a good idea to be nice and solid at a particular level before moving on. I've seen skaters who whizzed through earlier levels only for a lack of good basics to let them down later on.

There are a few useful links which might give you a bit more information;
[list][*]About Skate UK - the official description of what each level covers from the National Ice Skating Association (NISA).
[*]Learn how to skate from Everglides - the company which supplies DOI celebs with their boots. This also gives descriptions of Skate UK Levels 1-10 but some of the levels have a bit more explanatory text than the NISA site does.
[*]Buying Ice Skates - a very useful guide, also from Everglides. It's worth noting that the DOI celebs got fitted for their skates simply by sending in tracings of their feet - they weren't measured by Everglides. I think the first time fit success rate was better than 90%.
[*]Skate UK Star - What you do after Skate UK levels 1-10 although not all disciplines are shown.[/list]
After you've passed gold level on a Skate UK Star discipline (one or more of Single Skating, Ice Dancing, Synchronized Team Skating or Speed Skating) you can work towards National Tests.

There isn't much information about those on the NISA site. You need to join NISA to do National Tests and have a NISA coach countersign your application.

There is quite a bit of information (and some on the Skate UK Star disciplines not listed at the NISA site) at;
[list][*]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationa...ng_Association[/list]
You'll find lots of friendly skaters of all levels, shapes and ages at the UK Skating Forum. There are certainly members of the forum who skate at Bradford who may be able to answer rink-specific questions.

It's probably worth booking into a group course to start with to see how you get on. The price of the course usually includes death wellies (rental skates) so you can try it before splashing out much on skates of your own - which you will need if you decide to continue.

Once you've started the course you can have a chat with the coach about which way is right for you to progress.

A lot of people are very happy just sticking to group lessons. Some prefer to take private lessons instead. That's what I did and it works out a better use of my money as I make much faster progress.

Good luck and keep us informed about how you get on.


c graham, welcome to skating too

Private lessons typically cost from about £7 per 15 minutes to £9 per 15 minutes for a Level 2 coach. Most coaches are happy to take two people at the same time. Their coaching fee won't go up so you halve the teaching cost to each of you but you will both have to pay for the ice in addition. The coaching fee does not include access to the ice itself and this is charged differently at different rinks.

Typically, there are two types of ice; public session and patch (or practice) ice. Public sessions are open to all and you'll normally pay at the rink box office.

Patch ice is open to those having lessons or practising for lessons, tests and competitions and there may be a minimum standard with further restrictions on some sessions. Ice time for these sessions may sometimes be paid to the box office (that's what Oxford does) or you may have to pay the coach directly for the ice time in addition to the coaching. Ask at the rink to find out how they do it near you.

If you can chat to a coach and tell them what you want to achieve they should be able to help you without shoving you through a rigid series of Skate UK levels.

Good luck too.

Sarah

Risports are usually quite a narrow fitting although if you have narrow feet they are a very respectable choice.

I have massively wide feet so Risports are out of the question. I do know quite a few people who have RF4s and RF3s and they're very happy with them.

Sarah

I have Risport RF4s and they are fine and comfy!

Thanks for the info guys ... may have to get Belati instead de3finatly don't have narrow feet ... how tight should they be when you buy them? My friend says the worst thing is if they are too big cause then they streach and are far too big, but I'm a bit worried about buying them too small and regretting it

Skates shouldn't be painfully tight when you get them. Speak to an experienced fitter for good advice. John at Everglides (see my previous post) is a real expert and can make sure you get the right size in an appropriate boot for your skating level and weight - just as he does for the DOI celebs. He'll be happy to advise by phone or email.

A word of warning - not all skate shops located at rinks (or even away from rinks) are very good at fitting figure skates correctly. They may be tempted to sell you what they have on the shelf rather than what is the correct fit for you.

Wear thin non-ribbed socks or tights when trying skates on. Thick socks are only for use in "death wellies" (hire skates).

Belatis are good but also consider Edea, Jackson and Riedell boots.

Good luck!

Sarah

Thanks Sarah , planning on going to the shop tomorrow, but if I'm not sure I'll try a few on then email Everglides