Freestyle ice time

[beginerskater22]

Hi I just made an account on this forum so i don’t really know how these posts work but I’ve been wanting to take up figure skating (I’m 18) and potentially learn some neat tricks like one foot spins, arabesques, single jumps, stuff like that. I’m planing on taking some private lessons with my roommate at a rink near my campus at college and then eventually maybe take an ISI level 1 test so I can be on freestyle ice time without a coach but I’m a little scared to to be honest. I know a lot of people in the figure skating community aren’t the nicest to beginner skaters who start as teens/young adults and I’m not sure if thats just more online or at the rink irl too but I was wondering at peoples local rinks on freestyle ice time what the ratio of like really professional skaters to young adults or teenagers trying to take up a new hobby is. Idk I’m scared I’m gonna feel really out of place on the freestyle ice (well mainly bc I am) with like professionals and children a thousand times better than me lol.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi I just made an account on this forum so i don’t really know how these posts work but I’ve been wanting to take up figure skating (I’m 18) and potentially learn some neat tricks like one foot spins, arabesques, single jumps, stuff like that. I’m planing on taking some private lessons with my roommate at a rink near my campus at college and then eventually maybe take an ISI level 1 test so I can be on freestyle ice time without a coach but I’m a little scared to to be honest. I know a lot of people in the figure skating community aren’t the nicest to beginner skaters who start as teens/young adults and I’m not sure if thats just more online or at the rink irl too but I was wondering at peoples local rinks on freestyle ice time what the ratio of like really professional skaters to young adults or teenagers trying to take up a new hobby is. Idk I’m scared I’m gonna feel really out of place on the freestyle ice (well mainly bc I am) with like professionals and children a thousand times better than me lol.

You should be fine. And if you end up having/learning the skills and passing the test to be on low freestyle ice you won't be with anyone or at least shouldn't be with anyone too advanced or elite/pro.
I will say these things though: After a lesson or so if you decide to continue you will need proper boots fit by a proper figure skate fitter (not a hockey shop). You will also need a regular coach, you will not learn the things you want to and safely without one!

Good luck!

 

[tstop4me]

Hi I just made an account on this forum so i don’t really know how these posts work but I’ve been wanting to take up figure skating (I’m 18) and potentially learn some neat tricks like one foot spins, arabesques, single jumps, stuff like that. I’m planing on taking some private lessons with my roommate at a rink near my campus at college and then eventually maybe take an ISI level 1 test so I can be on freestyle ice time without a coach but I’m a little scared to to be honest. I know a lot of people in the figure skating community aren’t the nicest to beginner skaters who start as teens/young adults and I’m not sure if thats just more online or at the rink irl too but I was wondering at peoples local rinks on freestyle ice time what the ratio of like really professional skaters to young adults or teenagers trying to take up a new hobby is. Idk I’m scared I’m gonna feel really out of place on the freestyle ice (well mainly bc I am) with like professionals and children a thousand times better than me lol.

* If your class schedule allows it, one option for you to check out is public sessions during morning or early afternoon on weekdays (late afternoon after primary and secondary schools let out tends to be more crowded). Publics typically are a lot cheaper than freestyles. As long as it's not a school holiday, often these are not crowded. If there is more than one rink in your area, check them all out, as schedules, policies, and number of skaters can vary a lot from rink to rink. E.g., some rinks have these publics only on partial ice: a section is coned off for adult or pre-school LTS classes. Often, if the sessions aren't too busy, it's OK to practice low-level freestyle moves. If coaches live near-by, you can schedule private lessons during these public sessions as well. Check at the front desks for more information.

* Some rinks separate freestyle sessions according to skill level: low freestyle and high freestyle. But not all do; then you can have a mix of skaters practicing X-overs and others practicing triple jumps. So check that out as well.

* Rinks tend to have different ambience and character. If you have a choice, try them all out, and pick the one(s) most comfortable for you.

 

[Query]

I know a lot of people in the figure skating community aren’t the nicest to beginner skaters who start as teens/young adults and I’m not sure if thats just more online or at the rink irl too

For the most part I haven't found that true at public sessions.

A few of the coaches only want students who stand a good chance of winning competitions, but that's a tiny minority. And a very small number of parents don't think it's fair for teens and adults to compete against young kids - but it doesn't take long for the best of the young kids to far surpass you.

I have met a few people who started as adults and did become quite good - most had professional performance dance backgrounds, and one was a gymnastics coach. If you don't have that kind of similar type athleticism, you may have to accept more limited goals.

* If your class schedule allows it, one option for you to check out is public sessions during morning or early afternoon on weekdays (late afternoon after primary and secondary schools let out tends to be more crowded). Publics typically are a lot cheaper than freestyles. As long as it's not a school holiday, often these are not crowded. If there is more than one rink in your area, check them all out, as schedules, policies, and number of skaters can vary a lot from rink to rink.

Yes! Also the first 15 minutes or more of public sessions are often almost empty. If you can get there early, and put on your skates before the session starts, you might be the only person there, or almost so. Some rinks tend to empty out towards the end of sessions, as the beginners get tired. It also helps to call the rink a few hours or a day before a session, to find out if anything is going on that would make the ice busy. Some rinks schedule large groups and parties, which can make the ice very crowded. Holidays can be very crowded too.

Group lessons are a fairly good way to start.

If you don't know how to fall gently, I would encourage you to learn first. You will almost certainly fall a fair number of times.

 

[beginerskater22]

If you don't have that kind of similar type athleticism, you may have to accept more limited goals.

i mean im not looking to compete or anything lol I just wanna do it for fun as a hobby and a way to be active but do u think single jumps within a couple years are an unrealistic goal for someone who started at 18 without prior related fields? I dont have any background in gymnastics or dance but i am kinda flexible, being able to do splits and needles.

 

[beginerskater22]

You should be fine. And if you end up having/learning the skills and passing the test to be on low freestyle ice you won't be with anyone or at least shouldn't be with anyone too advanced or elite/pro.
I will say these things though: After a lesson or so if you decide to continue you will need proper boots fit by a proper figure skate fitter (not a hockey shop). You will also need a regular coach, you will not learn the things you want to and safely without one!

Good luck!

thanks for the advice! I’m actually planning on getting new skates next week and im gonna go to a skate shop to get them fitted though I still have to return the hockey skates my dad got me for christmas when I asked him for figure skates lmao

 

[beginerskater22]

For the most part I haven't found that true at public sessions.

A few of the coaches only want students who stand a good chance of winning competitions, but that's a tiny minority. And a very small number of parents don't think it's fair for teens and adults to compete against young kids - but it doesn't take long for the best of the young kids to far surpass you.

I have met a few people who started as adults and did become quite good - most had professional performance dance backgrounds, and one was a gymnastics coach. If you don't have that kind of similar type athleticism, you may have to accept more limited goals.



Yes! Also the first 15 minutes or more of public sessions are often almost empty. If you can get there early, and put on your skates before the session starts, you might be the only person there, or almost so. Some rinks tend to empty out towards the end of sessions, as the beginners get tired. It also helps to call the rink a few hours or a day before a session, to find out if anything is going on that would make the ice busy. Some rinks schedule large groups and parties, which can make the ice very crowded. Holidays can be very crowded too.

Group lessons are a fairly good way to start.

If you don't know how to fall gently, I would encourage you to learn first. You will almost certainly fall a fair number of times.

this is really helpful thanks for the advice! and yeah ill def look into learn to skate lessons and properly stopping/falling before attempting singles with a coach lol

 

[beginerskater22]

* If your class schedule allows it, one option for you to check out is public sessions during morning or early afternoon on weekdays (late afternoon after primary and secondary schools let out tends to be more crowded). Publics typically are a lot cheaper than freestyles. As long as it's not a school holiday, often these are not crowded. If there is more than one rink in your area, check them all out, as schedules, policies, and number of skaters can vary a lot from rink to rink. E.g., some rinks have these publics only on partial ice: a section is coned off for adult or pre-school LTS classes. Often, if the sessions aren't too busy, it's OK to practice low-level freestyle moves. If coaches live near-by, you can schedule private lessons during these public sessions as well. Check at the front desks for more information.

* Some rinks separate freestyle sessions according to skill level: low freestyle and high freestyle. But not all do; then you can have a mix of skaters practicing X-overs and others practicing triple jumps. So check that out as well.

* Rinks tend to have different ambience and character. If you have a choice, try them all out, and pick the one(s) most comfortable for you.

ah ok thanks for the reply! this is rly helpful I didn’t know this

 

[tstop4me]

but I’ve been wanting to take up figure skating (I’m 18) and potentially learn some neat tricks like one foot spins, arabesques, single jumps, stuff like that.

i mean im not looking to compete or anything lol I just wanna do it for fun as a hobby and a way to be active but do u think single jumps within a couple years are an unrealistic goal for someone who started at 18 without prior related fields? I dont have any background in gymnastics or dance but i am kinda flexible, being able to do splits and needles.

Over the years I've known many skaters who started in their late teens or older (some much older). Unless you have some underlying medical conditions that would stall your progress, your goals and timeframe are certainly realistic. As others have mentioned above, you will need proper equipment properly fitted and a competent coach. You will also need sufficient practice time. You will need to evaluate how much you can afford and how much time you can devote.

In 2026 we will have the Winter Olympics. Shortly afterwards, there will be a flurry of posts along the lines of: "I'm 18. I've never skated before. But I was so thrilled with the Olympic figure skating competitions that I want to compete in the next Olympics. What do I need to do to get there?" Now that's unrealistic. But your expectations are well grounded. So have fun, and have a great skate.