How can I become a better ice skater if my class is so full I hardly have room to move?
Asked by
Wine (
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)
March 2nd, 2013
I’m taking a beginners ice skating class at my university and the instructors are great! But the way they run the class doesn’t fit with some of my learning styles (I am more of a reflective learner) Once they teach us a move, they’ll have us skate across the rink 2–3 times, but that’s when it’s crowded and most people mainly focus on getting across while including the actual move. It’s difficult to really space yourself and focus on technique.
I really want to succeed in this class because ice skating has always interested me, but how else can I improve and practice each move elsewhere? I was thinking of either signing up for additional lessons that are hopefully smaller and will give me the practice I need or practicing at the rink during the week/weekend when there may be less people. My only concern with this is that most skaters go around in a circle and I don’t want to disrupt the flow. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
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7 Answers
Take a few private lessons if you can afford it. I would think weekends are very busy at the rink? What is wrong with going in a circle? You can kind of straighten it into a rectangle if you want. If the middle is open and no one is practicing complicated moves you could go there, but since you are a beginner that probably is not a appealing.
Definitely getting more ice time, even on your own, will help. It’s like learning to ride a bike, learning the balance and the edges on the skates.
Find out when the rink is least crowded and tag that for your practice time. Ask one of the instructors what other lessons are available.
Find a nice frozen lake and practice on your own.
What is a reflective learner?
There should be other rinks in your area that might be less busy.
If you want to go @ragiloli’s idea well use caution. I have done it before but it was in an area I knew with other people. Even though we tested it to a certain degree we knew there was some small risk involved.
Another option is rollerblades. Ok not quite the same but if you just practicing certain movements it can be useful. As long as you realize there will be some small variations and account for it. There are many more surface you can blade on then skate.
Hang in there. Half of them are going to bail and it will become roomier.
At most rinks during general skating time, most people circle around the outside and there is a center area for people who want to practice spins and jumps and other footwork.
In general, I’ve found the least crowded times are week days. But it all depends on your rink and what kind of community it serves. You obviously want to be practicing at times when there are fewer people. You should ask the rink management or your teacher when the best time is to get alone ice.
It is a pain to practice on crowded ice, but it is what most of us have to do. It takes more money to purchase practice time on less crowded ice. If you have the money, they buy the practice time. Otherwise, make do.
What moves are you working on?
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