When do I buy skates? [Mother's objection but Father's a skater]?

Question

I'm fifteen, and there's a rink nearby my place. At around 6, my father brought us [the kids] to the rink. He had been a skater.

I had been fascinated with skating but my parents rejected, citing that it's dangerous.
Since 11 I had been going to the rink occasionally and on my birthday. But the shocking thing is that I still cannot skate. Actually I believe I can, but I don't know how to fall and stop. Afraid of breaking bones, you see.

This year on my birthday my wrist suffered the impact and the bones crushed together. My mother did not want me to skate anymore.

My father offered to teach me. I accepted. I had been very embarrassed as I couldn't skate. After watching the Winter Olympics, I know I want to skate and learnt that rentals are horrible. I saved up to buy skates but I am afraid that it's only an impulse.

I feel that I really want to learn. What do I do? Do I sign up for a course or let my father teach or??? Am I too old? I'm not going pro tho.

Pst. Thanks and I would wanna know if I should get the skates after I learnt or before...

My mother is dead bent on not listening when I talk about skating anyway.

Erm, sorry again but I think i should ask if second-hands are better or new ones... There is only one small ice skating store in the whole of my country[Singapore] since it only has one rink... Should I buy from the net?

Answer 1

you are never to old to learn to skate. And good on your for showing interest. Skating, even just recreation skating is good exercise and really fun. However, unless your dad is a professional instructor, I would see if your local rink offers beginner courses. They have people trained to take people who have never seen ice before and have them skating by the end of the course. If you want to learn you will pick it up really quickly. If you are worried about injuries, get a helmet and wrist guards, knee and elbow pads. Most of which are small enough to wear under clothing.

Answer 2

It's never too late to learn anything. What would be the fun if we had to stop learning as we got older?

Rental skates are pretty bad, I admit, but I thought they were good enough for learning things like how to go forwards, backwards, stopping, and crossovers. If you want to learn more than that, then you should go to a specialty store, not a general sports store, to buy skates. They will mount the blade on the skate specifically for you.

It's great that your father can teach you. I think having him teach you would be nicer than a class. Group lessons can also be small and reasonably priced. I would advise trying to reach a compromise with your mother about safety. Maybe if you agree to wearing a helmet and knee and wrist guards, she'll let you try skating.

Answer 3

Learning to skate will be 100times easier if you do have your own skates rather than rentals. If you really want to learn, let you dad teach you some of the basics then you can move on to classes and private lessons, the classes at most rinks are a very good way to start off, the instruction is usually pretty good.

Answer 4

You are never too old. I learned when I was 9, but I havent skated since I was 15 (almost 20 years), I'm sure I still can. Your mom needs to back off and allow you to learn, if she constantly huvers over you to make sure you dont get hurt and such then she is only getting in your way of being successful at completing your goal to learn skating. I would let your father teach you, he has an interest in it anyway, could be a great way to solidify a bond with him as well.

Answer 5

You're not too old to learn; my local rink even had adult beginner classes =) If you've been injured before though, it's probably best to take it easy and slow.

As for buying skates, the rink may have a shop or you can check sports goods stores (e.g. Modell's or Sports Authority). It's probably best not to buy online because you want to be able to try on the skates and make sure they're comfortable.

Answer 6

you're never too old to learn to skate (if you're not going pro). if you have a local sports store (a good one) that's a good place to but skates, or ask someone at a rink where they got theirs. i would also let your dad teach you if it's okay with him and your mom. that would be a lot cheaper than taking classes! if you're really serious about learning to skate, dont be embarassed. you have nothing to be embarassed about because you've been taught to skate. as for injuries, just like every other sport, injuries are bound to happen. but if you take the apporpriate safety precautions for a beginer, you should be fine. i've been skating since i was 6 and have only broken 2 bones (which was my fault-i wasn't paying attention) anyway, if you are serious about skating, ask your dad to help you, and remember, you have nothing to be embarassed about!!

Answer 7

Ok, those things you dont have to worry about those things! First, if you wanna, let your father teach you! Slowly, though. Nobody's too old! there are adults starting out skating! (No offence, but pros start skating when they are 4 or 5...)
And if your parents think its too dangrous, well! do it if it enjoys you. skating just might not be your top priority, right? Go ahead and buy skates! but make sure they are beginner ones! There have been problems where beginners buy boots and blades way beyond their levels, and it causes major problems with their feet!

Answer 8

You've already got many good answers, and I will not repeat their content except to say: Yes, you sound determined enough to take up skating so that you should. At the age of 15 you know your own mind. I would have your father not only teach you, but, also, intervene to reassure your mother that it is the best thing for you and it is not in the category of 'dangerous' sport.

Answer 9

u should buy the skates first cause then you can learn to use them. I find that ever pair of skates is just a little diff and its best to learn on the pair u plan to use. the best time to buy skates is in the middle of summer cause that's when all the sales are. i have no idea how old u r, but my mom learned when she was 30. ucan never be to old to learn to skate. if your getting better with your dad teaching then thats great, but if u feel that u arn't improving then maybe u should consider lessons. they are actually quite useful. good luck

Answer 10

Well, what a complicated situation... good luck in this...
I'd go for buying the skates since your dad wants... BUT not only I'd take lessons from him but in a club as well...
Try recreational model of skates before you actually buy real figure skates specially if you think this could not go too far, and because real figure skates can be very expensive since you buy the boot and the blade appart...
As for security, padding, knees, helmet, wrist protectors can be good for the first times and one crucial element for skating
NO FEAR WHATSOEVER....
Have fun.