As a coach, I am sometimes asked if it is difficult to learn to ice skate. It’s an interesting question for me because my first thought is, “compared to what?” I mean it may seem difficult to some, but it never seemed that way to me. Although it was more than 40 years ago, I still remember my first steps on the ice. I remember thinking how much fun it was and how I had never experienced anything like it.
So maybe one way to look at skating is like learning to walk. When you started, you had an idea of the concept and you knew it was something you wanted to do, but being so young you didn’t know where to start. Then our parents stepped in and helped us get started, they started teaching us the basics; how to put one foot in front of the other. And before we knew it, we were walking and even eventually running.
Figure skating is a lot like that. There are coaches like me who help first-time students take those first steps. We help show students what the path is like and focus only on the basics at first. Show students the correct steps, push-offs, explain when to squat, how to support their bodies for best results. Then, when I give them the basics, we can start learning more advanced moves, steps, turns, and jumps. And, if I have done my job as a coach and have taught the basics well, then each skill builds on the last and the student continually improves.
They also ask me as a coach if there is a perfect age to start. My answer is probably different from most coaches as I believe anyone can learn to skate at any age. I started when I was 9 years old and only skated for a few years and then came back to the sport at 21 years old. So, I did most of my skating as an adult. I think there are some advantages to learning when you’re a bit older. One is that older children and adults may better understand the concepts first and then apply them and then move their bodies in that direction. There are many important concepts and it is helpful to be able to understand them. But, there are younger children who do just as well, and often they will learn the movement first and the concept later. So really anyone can learn to ice skate.
Lastly, you can learn the basics in a variety of ways. I teach a series of beginners to learn to skate with videos and guides online. You can also buy books. Some YouTube videos are also good. And, once you get going, I recommend hiring a trainer. But the most important thing is that you get out there and start skating. You get better as you do.
In short, anyone can learn to skate and it’s only hard if you’re not having fun.