ice skating?

Question

it sounds completely stupid, but i'd love to learn to figure-skate and jump and twirl and do lifts.

okay, now that i've officially made myself sound like an idiot, here it is. i am 16 now, with little instruction that would help with ice-skating/agility (i took gymnastics for a few years) but i'd love to learn. my question: is it too late?

i'm thin and in pretty good shape, yes, but not very graceful, and not very flexible. i do just fine, but you won't see me putting my foot over my head any time soon.

still, i'd love to skate. not just around in a circle, but actually learn the art of figure-skating. anyone in the same boat? any idea where i might start off?

serious answers only, please. thank you! =)

thank you to everyone so far...here's for the record:

yes, i'd really, really like to make it one of my main focuses.

and i do roller-blade and ice-skate, though not as much as i used to.

flychicc420 (and everyone else): sorry if i didn't specify, which i sometimes forget that i should, but i am a guy. =) no worries though--and honest mistake.

Answer 1

Most ice skating rinks have figure skating lessons. I would visit the web page of your local (indoor for year round ice) rink and check it out. Then sign yourself up. Flexibility can be improved, but you'll need a place to practice every day. Eventually you could sign up for competitions etc. It can get expensive, but if it's really what you want to do....

Answer 2

You don't say where you're located. Around LA we have Pickwick (where you can often find the pros) and a rink in El Segundo where Michelle Kwan, among others, practice. You need to find a skating rink and start taking lessons - that lifting stuff along with the grace required to be Elvis Stoyko can be helped by - hang on there, dude - ballet classes. Ask any pro skater and they'll tell you that most of their choreography is practiced on the ground first and they are all trained in ballet.

Answer 3

I just watched the finals of a T.V.show called "dancing with the stars". All the participants had never skated before and now 3 months later, all skated professionally with speed / lifts / all the required elements for a contest including aerials. I guess this means it is not too late and practice makes perfect.Go for it!!!

Answer 4

Firstly, you do not sound completely stupid. I would check out the local skating rinks for lessons. Dust off the yellow pages or go to yellowpages.com. Ask to sit in on a class before you choose. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Nothing is too late when you want to learn something new.

First thing you can do is taking adult group figure skating class. As you progress, you can take private lesson.

Off-ice training is also very important if you want to master the jumps, spins and moves.

Answer 6

ive ice skated once in my life. at first i was a little shakey but in no time i was speedin up and doin better. im sure it would take much more time to actually figure skate since there is some much mor einvolved, but it couldnt hurt to try right?

Answer 7

roller blading and gymnastics will help... you will probaly never make it too the olympics etc.. but can certainnly comepete. If you want to do lifts etc.. i would tryto go into pairs or dance.. the jumps are not as demanding. men do not need to be very flexible.. putting your foot over your head like sasha cohen willl be complety unnessicary!

Answer 8

You can do anything you put your mind to. It might take a while before you really see results beacause you are starting out later than most the girls your age. Get a private instructor.

Answer 9

It's never too late. If you're determined the sky's the limit to what you can do.

Answer 10

i don't know if this is serious of not, but do u know how to rollerblade? if u have never ice skated before, u should learn to rollerblade first. thatt is wat i did. and maybe to get flexible stretch everyday. and maybe take some lessons to get used to being on the ice. and it is never to late