Becoming a figure skater at 18 yo

[BlackSwanBeauty18]

Hello !

So I'm 18 and people keep telling me that I'm too old to become a figure skater. Like a lot of people, I wasn't lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family, so I wasn't able to get into figure skating until I was 18. You should know that it is literally my biggest dream to become a figure skater. Like I'm obsessed with this.

As I will soon start earning money myself, I thought I could start figure skating. The thing is, I don't want to do this sport just for fun. I really want to compete. This is really what I have aspired to the most for a very long time. I'm not saying I plan to go to the Olympics, but I would definitely like to compete. Whatever you want, anything is possible I think.

Anyway, I wanted to know if I'm really too old for my aspirations? Should I just let go of this dream and focus on something else? Telling myself that one day I could become a really good figure skater is literally the thing that makes me the happiest, but I don't want to dream for nothing either.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello !

So I'm 18 and people keep telling me that I'm too old to become a figure skater. Like a lot of people, I wasn't lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family, so I wasn't able to get into figure skating until I was 18. You should know that it is literally my biggest dream to become a figure skater. Like I'm obsessed with this.

As I will soon start earning money myself, I thought I could start figure skating. The thing is, I don't want to do this sport just for fun. I really want to compete. This is really what I have aspired to the most for a very long time. I'm not saying I plan to go to the Olympics, but I would definitely like to compete. Whatever you want, anything is possible I think.

Anyway, I wanted to know if I'm really too old for my aspirations? Should I just let go of this dream and focus on something else? Telling myself that one day I could become a really good figure skater is literally the thing that makes me the happiest, but I don't want to dream for nothing either.

HI and welcome. First of all, not all of of us that started at 2 or 3 (like myself) and did become the level you wish to, were rich by any means. We just had families that made great sacrifices (such as triple re-mortgaging their homes) for us and we ourselves were willing to give pretty much everything else in our lives up (except schooling) to achieve our goals and dreams.

I'm going to be nothing but honest here (not harsh, but completely straight-forward). At 18, with no prior experience skating and lack of $, the odds of you achieving this "goal" are almost 0 odds of happening. You have to pay for proper training with the best coaches (especially at higher levels) (A LOT OF IT) most of us train 18 years or more of our lives to get the the level you wish). You need correct on and off ice coaching and training (ballet, pilates, strength training with an exercise coach/trainer whom you also have to pay (same with dance/ballet instructor). Costumes are not cheap by any means, if you are female: tights, hair needs, make up, and so on. (BTW-Male skaters wear "stage makeup too." And then there is the actual equipment itself. You need the proper skate boots AND blades for you based on many things including foot needs, height/weight, level of skating, etc. And you can't just go to the corner sports store and get the needed skates. This isn't like buying shoes at all. Also, you will go through a pair of boots/blades almost yearly.

Now, here is what you can do: When you have the money, get fit for skates (you can ask us here were to go for a proper fitting), and take learn to skate and then if you wish to add private lessons on, do so. At your age, if you find you like skating and are decent at it, there is an adult track of competitions you could compete in.

Best of luck!

 

[Diana Delafield]

Hello !

So I'm 18 and people keep telling me that I'm too old to become a figure skater. Like a lot of people, I wasn't lucky enough to be born into a wealthy family, so I wasn't able to get into figure skating until I was 18. You should know that it is literally my biggest dream to become a figure skater. Like I'm obsessed with this.

As I will soon start earning money myself, I thought I could start figure skating. The thing is, I don't want to do this sport just for fun. I really want to compete. This is really what I have aspired to the most for a very long time. I'm not saying I plan to go to the Olympics, but I would definitely like to compete. Whatever you want, anything is possible I think.

Anyway, I wanted to know if I'm really too old for my aspirations? Should I just let go of this dream and focus on something else? Telling myself that one day I could become a really good figure skater is literally the thing that makes me the happiest, but I don't want to dream for nothing either.

Not much I can add to what Ic3rabbit has told you already. You can certainly learn to figure skate at an enjoyable level, but you won't be competing outside the adult competition stream (you can find a few home-made videos from their events on youtube to see at what level of proficiency they skate). And you won't make it into an ice show even in the chorus. And even just at a recreational level it will consume a large amount of your income and time. But yes, with a lot of sacrifice and hard work and the pain of inevitable bruises and other injuries you can become a good skater, but only if you do it for yourself, and not for a career or for fame and applause and spotlights.

 

[BlackSwanBeauty18]

HI and welcome. First of all, not all of of us that started at 2 or 3 (like myself) and did become the level you wish to, weren't rich by any means. We just had families that made great sacrifices (such as triple re-mortgaging their homes) for us and we ourselves were willing to give pretty much everything else in our lives up (except schooling) to achieve our goals and dreams.

I'm going to be nothing but honest here (not harsh, but completely straight-forward). At 18, with no prior experience skating and lack of $, the odds of you achieving this "goal" are almost 0 odds of happening. You have to pay for proper training with the best coaches (especially at higher levels) (A LOT OF IT) most of us train 18 years or more of our lives to get the the level you wish). You need correct on and off ice coaching and training (ballet, pilates, strength training with an exercise coach/trainer whom you also have to pay (same with dance/ballet instructor). Costumes are not cheap by any means, if you are female: tights, hair needs, make up, and so on. (BTW-Male skaters wear "stage makeup too." And then there is the actual equipment itself. You need the proper skate boots AND blades for you based on many things including foot needs, height/weight, level of skating, etc. And you can't just go to the corner sports store and get the needed skates. This isn't like buying shoes at all. Also, you will go through a pair of boots/blades almost yearly.

Now, here is what you can do: When you have the money, get fit for skates (you can ask us here were to go for a proper fitting), and take learn to skate and then if you wish to add private lessons on, do so. At your age, if you find you like skating and are decent at it, there is an adult track of competitions you could compete in.

Best of luck!

Thank you for your answer. Of course it doesn't make me happy at all to know all that, but I wanted people to be honest with me so I thank you!

I'm curious though. What does a typical week look like for a figure skater like you? I mean how do you divide up ballet lessons, pilates, skating, etc.? in a full week? And how many times do you practice each one in a single week? If it's not too personal of course.

 

[Elija]

Just wanted to add that you can certainly ‘become a figure skater’ and compete. It just will not be at the Olympics or other big competitions. But becoming a figure skater and competing in adult competitions is completely doable assuming you have the money, time and motivation. At any level, this sport is HARD and takes a lot of time and effort, it’s not something one just learns quickly. That said, most rinks have competitions at all sorts of levels including beginner skate school levels.