Hi ! I am an 18 year old boy and I have every intention of starting figure skating soon. I've read on many forums that figure skating is a rich man's sport, but other people say that it doesn't cost them much to do this sport. I come from a fairly poor family and I will have to pay for my private lessons myself. So I wanted to know if it seems possible for a student to pay for this sport alone or if it's not really realistic?
Is figure skating for rich people?
- Thread starter MEL2511
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- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
Hi. It really depends on how involved you want to get in the sport. Just recreationally skating shouldn't cost alot. Even taking some lessons here and there and practicing on your own can be controlled spending. Just be aware depending on several factors, the skates can and would (eventually) get quite expensive.
Recreational figure skating is possible at a relatively modest outlay. It's not cheap to take even one private lesson a week and practice a few hours a week, but at a middle income level with few other expensive demands on your income, it's not going to break the bank.
At a low income level, it might.
Competitive figure skating requires quite a bit more lesson and practice time to reach middle let alone high skill levels. And then once you start actually competing at those levels, travel expenses, entry fees, costumes and equipment, etc., will start to add up.
So if you are interested in learning the basics of figure skating and you have some extra income and can get to a rink easily with appropriate sessions at times that are convenient for you, by all means give it a try.
If you're dreaming of becoming a high-level competitive figure skater, that is unlikely for anyone for multiple reasons. Expense is one of those reasons.
At a low income level, it might.
Competitive figure skating requires quite a bit more lesson and practice time to reach middle let alone high skill levels. And then once you start actually competing at those levels, travel expenses, entry fees, costumes and equipment, etc., will start to add up.
So if you are interested in learning the basics of figure skating and you have some extra income and can get to a rink easily with appropriate sessions at times that are convenient for you, by all means give it a try.
If you're dreaming of becoming a high-level competitive figure skater, that is unlikely for anyone for multiple reasons. Expense is one of those reasons.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
Thank you for saying what I originally wanted to say, but didn't want to scare the OP right from the get go lol!
Yes, it’s really my biggest dream. Since I was little, I have dreamed of becoming a high-level figure skater, but I already knew in advance that my parents could not afford to pay so much for this sport. I'm really ready to do anything to achieve this dream but since money is a big problem, it's not likely to happen. Unless a miracle happens haha!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
I wouldn't even worry about $ at this point, at your age, you are not likely at all to become a high level figure skater. Even if you had all the money in the world, you have a 2% chance of achieving that as an adult.
You on the other hand, can still learn, have fun with skating and if you wish possibly skate in adult competitions.
Good luck!
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2022
You'd have to go back in time now in order to achieve something like Olympics participation, I'm afraid. Virtually all high level competitors start skating lessons as very small children, many just toddlers. The few who take to the ice later in childhood seem to have usually started as roller skaters and just translate their skills onto the ice. Johnny Weir started skating unusually late, at 12, but was already a competitive athlete in another expensive sport, equestrianism.
But it's still possible, with determination, to learn the basic bladework, spins and jumps, and enter the adult competitive stream. Many of those skaters perform at quite a high level, but it takes up a great deal of their time and money. As has been said, ice time, lesson fees, costumes, all eat up the budget, and the biggest expense is the skates themselves. Many people travel long distances just to get properly fitted in the best boots and blades for their particular size, weight, and level of ability. (It's not like just trying on shoes and picking the ones in your shoe size.) And having laid out many hundreds of dollars or more for those skates, they break down with punishing use and will need to be replaced frequently, at the same cost each time. It can be done by someone who is not in the upper classes financially, but you have to be consumed by the desire to skate to the point where the rest of your life is frugally conducted and every spare dollar is poured into your skating. With no guarantee that there will be the desired success, for reasons beyond your control. Injuries, for instance, are very common in the sport and can be career-ending.
You don't have to be super rich to be a skater. You don't have to be crazy either, but it helps
! I started training at 5 and now I'm a grandmother and I'm still out there on the ice several days a week. You have to love it with such a passion that rewards like medals no longer matter. Just being able to do it is reward enough.Good luck!
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- Jun 21, 2003
You don't have to be super rich to be a skater. You don't have to be crazy either, but it helps
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2008
If someone has enough passion and natural talent, and doesn't get taken out by injury, yes you could start at 18 and become competitive....if you also have money. It's very expensive to have the necessary equipment, ice time, coaching, and medical attention needed to succeed. For a period of my life I was skating full time while working full time. Zero family support, had to make it all possible on my own. It was exhausting and ultimately not possible, because it took all my money just to be able to train as a competitive skater, nothing left over for medical treatment that eventually became a necessity. Unfortunately, it's not worth it to try and skate more than casually if you don't have someone paying your way.
- Joined
- May 28, 2023
Personally I wouldn't say it's only for rich people, but for private lessons at least 1 hour each for 2 or 3 times a week, plus the ice time for practice, and other ice classes you may take, plus extra rink expenses, the monthly expense goes around 800-1000 american dollars (it maybe costs more or costs less in your country, I'd suppose each country is different).
When you enter a competition, you maybe take more classes than usual to prepare, more ice time, if you buy a new dress, that will cost close to 4 figures too, then you pay the music editing person, you pay the competition entrance fee, and if it is in your city, then it's just transporting you and your coach there (your coach will charge accordingly for the hours he/she will be there with you) but if it is in another city, then you must think about hotel room for you and for your coach, food, transportation etc, so no that month, your usual skating expense will maybe triple.
Maybe another month your skates/blades are dead and you need new ones, so again, prepare 4 figures to pay, plus the usual monthly expense.
Again, I wouldn't call this a rich person's activity, but definitely you need a reasonable monthly salary where you can spare this amount to finance the skating if you are adult, or if you are a kid, then parents willing/capable to spare such amount to support your skating.
When you enter a competition, you maybe take more classes than usual to prepare, more ice time, if you buy a new dress, that will cost close to 4 figures too, then you pay the music editing person, you pay the competition entrance fee, and if it is in your city, then it's just transporting you and your coach there (your coach will charge accordingly for the hours he/she will be there with you) but if it is in another city, then you must think about hotel room for you and for your coach, food, transportation etc, so no that month, your usual skating expense will maybe triple.
Maybe another month your skates/blades are dead and you need new ones, so again, prepare 4 figures to pay, plus the usual monthly expense.
Again, I wouldn't call this a rich person's activity, but definitely you need a reasonable monthly salary where you can spare this amount to finance the skating if you are adult, or if you are a kid, then parents willing/capable to spare such amount to support your skating.
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2004
I would listen to all the advice here, especially Ic3Rabbit. Visit a rink/ skating club in your country and talk with people.....In the US, 18 is a tough age. You would be thinking of your next move out of high school...college, vocational education of some sort....etc. There is nothing wrong with having a dream...and figuring out creative ways to at least get your feet wet....
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- May 15, 2024
It would be extremely tough even in countries like Poland, where a coach tried to convince me that my son 9yo could start trainings now and achieve something on national level - because there is almost no competition (sometimes we have 2-4 competitors in junior men). And my boy isn't exepcionally talented, but musical, with strong balance and flexibility (and strong jumper
). But he chooses other, much cheaper and far less toxic sport (to my joy). So I'd say don't hope for medals, just skate because it's fun.
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2022
Hello everyone!
Finally I come to Golden Skate again after who-knows-how much time has passed, due to many personal problems...
Anyway, I wanted to add my comment to these questions. I'm still at the starting way of skating, but as far as I am concerned for a good start you will surely need some good equipment such as proper skates (my boot level is Edea Overture for example), which by themselves require a medium-high cost, and the skates shouldn't be whenever you choose them but they must perfectly fit on your foot, so maybe you will need a boot skate that costs much than you expect.
So, as in the past I have received many good advices, I too suggest you to visit a professional skating store for choosing the right skates and to start step by step with lessons and warm-up exercices because since you are 18 it's a must to start gradually and NEVER push on too much your body anyway. I started to skating a year ago and I can assure you, you MUST get the things slow and with the right time. This doesn't mean that you are not able to get great goals, but that you may reach them with more time than someone who started skating at 3 or 5 years old. In fact, I know there are plenty of people who started at your age or even more and now are called "adult skaters", and they are even competitive. I suggest you to look for them too, so maybe they will give you many adivices too.
I wish you all the best in your skating journey, and don't forget that you can always improve further that you imagined
Finally I come to Golden Skate again after who-knows-how much time has passed, due to many personal problems...
Anyway, I wanted to add my comment to these questions. I'm still at the starting way of skating, but as far as I am concerned for a good start you will surely need some good equipment such as proper skates (my boot level is Edea Overture for example), which by themselves require a medium-high cost, and the skates shouldn't be whenever you choose them but they must perfectly fit on your foot, so maybe you will need a boot skate that costs much than you expect.
So, as in the past I have received many good advices, I too suggest you to visit a professional skating store for choosing the right skates and to start step by step with lessons and warm-up exercices because since you are 18 it's a must to start gradually and NEVER push on too much your body anyway. I started to skating a year ago and I can assure you, you MUST get the things slow and with the right time. This doesn't mean that you are not able to get great goals, but that you may reach them with more time than someone who started skating at 3 or 5 years old. In fact, I know there are plenty of people who started at your age or even more and now are called "adult skaters", and they are even competitive. I suggest you to look for them too, so maybe they will give you many adivices too.
I wish you all the best in your skating journey, and don't forget that you can always improve further that you imagined
- Joined
- May 25, 2014
@FaustinaF It's nice to see you back!Hello everyone!
Finally I come to Golden Skate again after who-knows-how much time has passed, due to many personal problems...
Anyway, I wanted to add my comment to these questions. I'm still at the starting way of skating, but as far as I am concerned for a good start you will surely need some good equipment such as proper skates (my boot level is Edea Overture for example), which by themselves require a medium-high cost, and the skates shouldn't be whenever you choose them but they must perfectly fit on your foot, so maybe you will need a boot skate that costs much than you expect.
So, as in the past I have received many good advices, I too suggest you to visit a professional skating store for choosing the right skates and to start step by step with lessons and warm-up exercices because since you are 18 it's a must to start gradually and NEVER push on too much your body anyway. I started to skating a year ago and I can assure you, you MUST get the things slow and with the right time. This doesn't mean that you are not able to get great goals, but that you may reach them with more time than someone who started skating at 3 or 5 years old. In fact, I know there are plenty of people who started at your age or even more and now are called "adult skaters", and they are even competitive. I suggest you to look for them too, so maybe they will give you many adivices too.
I wish you all the best in your skating journey, and don't forget that you can always improve further that you imagined
Yes it is for rich people mostly parents who pay for this. It's probably the most expensive individual sport that doesn't involve purchasing an animal or vehicle. For rich people or middle class children with extremely generous parents. It's why we see many minorities underrepresented in the sport.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2004
Yes! Welcome back, Faustina!
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