How old is too old to learn to ice skate?

superhappypanda

So I'm back on the fitness horse and want to learn to skate. Since moving from Detroit I've fallen in love with hockey and want to get good enough to play casually. I'm 35 and other than inline skating back in the 90's have never been on the ice.

Is it silly for a grown man to take lessons? Anyone in the greater Seattle area have any recommendations on where to get some ice time?

Druhim

I don't see what age has to do with it. Unless you have some significant physical limitation, age seems irrelevant. I don't know where in Seattle you are, but probably the easiest way to find someone to take lessons from would be by finding the nearest ice rink and asking.

Raekreu

If you can inline skate then you can ice skate. The learning curve is not very steep when it comes to just being able to get around without wobbling or falling over.

superhappypanda

My biggest concern is either A) finding someone who will teach an adult as opposed to just kids and not looking like a complete idiot once I get on the ice. According to Raek, point B shouldn't be much of an issue, I never got to the point of inline skating backwards very well but short of that I didn't have much problem on those although it's been a good 10 years since I wore any.

I heard there's a rink up in Lynnwood. I'll head up there this weekend and nose around. See if I can get some info. If anyone knows of any better rinks though, let me know. I'm located in Ballard but am willing to travel other than to the east side because of that damn toll on 520.

Nappuccino

Ice skating... you could probably just rent a pair of skates and get the basics down by the end of the first hour.

If you're looking for more fancy things then... yeah, lessons would be good.

I say the age old "you're never too old to start" applies here.

Raekreu

superhappypanda wrote: »

According to Raek, point B shouldn't be much of an issue, I never got to the point of inline skating backwards very well but short of that I didn't have much problem on those although it's been a good 10 years since I wore any.

The only further advice I can give is to be keenly aware that you're on ice rather than asphalt or concrete. You're trading the risk of road rash for the risk of falling and sliding into other skaters or into the boards. Basically, you're much less likely to bleed and way, way more likely to bruise. Mind your knees, chin, and assbone if you feel a wipeout brewing while you're still working out the mechanics.

Hewn

I've taught adults to ice skate without too much fuss. Like others said, it's not too hard to get the basics of skating forward and stopping. More advanced stuff like going backwards, crossing over, and doing proper hockey stops at any respectable speed will take time to develop, but should be more than achievable with practice.

My best newbie advice: Don't be afraid to fall. You need to get out there, away from the boards, and just skate. Don't try holding onto the boards or a chair, as you see some people do as they slowly waddle around the ice. That will just hold you back for a long, long time. Give it a go, and if you feel yourself falling, just go limp and you should tumble nice and slow. It's the folks that attempt to regain their balance in the final hour, stiffen up, and crack their back that get hurt.

If you're serious about this, buy your own skates. You should find a used pair at a hockey shop pretty cheap. Get them sharpened. Skate rentals can suck pretty bad, so that would make learning even harder. Also a helmet and elbow/knee pads wouldn't hurt. Sure, you might look like a total noob the first couple times, but safety first. Cracking your head on the ice would be pretty traumatic. And I think the pads/helmet would allow you to skate with CONFIDENCE, as I noted above.

Finally, the feel of ice vs. inline is dramatic. Even the balance is different. I've ice skated for over 20 years, and played competitive hockey, but I'm a pretty modest inline skater. The basics are there, but inline doesn't allow you to use nearly the precision... quite frankly it's a whole other animal. Try to approach ice skating with a fresh mindset and develop new habits for the ice. Feel free to ask any more questions, and welcome to Michigan! Shame the Wings aren't doing better right now. I'm crestfallen. Or wait, moved FROM Detroit? Well either way!

ceres

I would add that unless you are in pretty damn good shape, remember that your joints, tendons, and ligaments are not the joints, tendons, or ligaments of an 18-year-old. Start easy into any new physical activity, because it's probably going to hurt bad in the morning until you get used to it. I would imagine you'll be just fine once you get used to the movement and pace and will be able to take on more, but you probably shouldn't push or overdo it in the beginning.

There's nothing to say you're too old to do it, but as has been said, safety first.

Hewn

Oh yeah, stretch for sure. That's a good one, ceres. All skaters stretch, no exceptions. It helps for the awkward falls. Also for when you get good and you're really extending those legs. And you'll be using muscles you aren't used to using, particularly due to all the balancing. The actual act of skating won't be that physically demanding, cardio wise, until you start picking up speed.

physi_marc

I'm from Canada and I only learned how to skate when I was 21 years old. I took lessons at my university's sports centre. They offered a "Learn how to skate" class for adults. We were at least 15 people and most of them were in their 30's or 40's.

I would suggest you look at the sports programs of your local community centres, colleges and universities. I'm sure there are adult ice skating classes you can take.

puffycow

I've seen a few classes offered in my area for adult ice skating so I am sure you can find them by you. As said above, don't feel embarrassed. Be confident and don't let your pride get hurt when you fall, because you will.

Rikushix

There should be plenty of community skate lessons and programs for adults in the Seattle area. Here in Vancouver, I learned to skate through exposure in elementary school, but at 13 I took advanced skating lessons which were for adults (which really meant 13 and up) and learned to skate backwards, crossovers, hockey stops, etc. Don't be embarrassed - you've got to start somewhere and you're far from the only one.

I would echo what previous people said about buying a cheap pair of skates and getting them sharpened rather than renting them at a rink all the time. Depending on the quality of the skates as well as the quality of the ice, it could have a detrimental effect on your learning.

SammyF

Rikushix wrote: »

I would echo what previous people said about buying a cheap pair of skates and getting them sharpened rather than renting them at a rink all the time. Depending on the quality of the skates as well as the quality of the ice, it could have a detrimental effect on your learning.

It can seem kind of like an expensive outlay to make for a hobby that you haven't even learned to do and don't know if you're going to like yet. But it's really, really good advice. Bad skates which fit either too loosely and allow your ankle to wobble or which fit too snugly and cut off circulation are frankly worse than having a 35-year-old's ACLs. As long as your foot fits right in the boot, you should be able to go forwards, backwards and stop without any problems.

sacreandprofane

i'm not familiar with the ice in seattle, but as someone who figure skated a few years I say, "just do it."

(and make sure you wear hockey skates, NOT figure skates, which are wretched. and wear long socks that are thinner than snowboarding socks.)

sacreandprofane

ceres wrote: »

I would add that unless you are in pretty damn good shape, remember that your joints, tendons, and ligaments are not the joints, tendons, or ligaments of an 18-year-old. Start easy into any new physical activity, because it's probably going to hurt bad in the morning until you get used to it. I would imagine you'll be just fine once you get used to the movement and pace and will be able to take on more, but you probably shouldn't push or overdo it in the beginning.

There's nothing to say you're too old to do it, but as has been said, safety first.

and yes, don't overdo it in the beginning. just go out there and enjoy yourself. see what you can do. don't give up. but don't expect yourself to be tip-top on the ice at first try either. just try to enjoy yourself and take it from there. give it a few shots. good luck!

Athenor

My mom's a master rated figure skating coach, and also has taught power skating classes for hockey. She has been on the US Figure Skating Association's basic skills board, has taught Olympic level judges, and has sent more people than I can count to various skating competitions around the midwest.

I grew up watching people of all ages learn how to ice dance. I also have it on fairly good authority that there is a very healthy adult skating circuit out there. Start with group classes - any coach worth their salt will love to work with people who listen.

Also, I can not stress this enough: GET PROPERLY FITTING, SHARPENED BOOTS. Proper boots will transfer the strain of the edge up your ankle into your calves, and basically lock your ankle into place so it doesn't twist. Well sharpened blades will cut into the ice, increasing traction and safety. Rentals are the devil if you plan on doing anything beyond going around in lazy circles during a public scake.

Finally, ignore the stereotypes. I know of no other sport where you are openly encouraged to hold a woman up by her inner thighs. (Well, technically it's hands to hands, but you get the idea.)

USFSA's Basic Skills program, including finding an instructor near you.

US Hockey's league/organizer finder. Again, it'll help you find an instructor.