ice skating for daughter?

Question

does anyone know how much it would cost and how much time is practice? I've heard that ice skaters practice routines for hours a day. How do they still have time for school? I would like to start lessons for my daughter but I wouldn't want her to start missing school because of it. Plus I live in a small town in Tx, and I feel like there is not a lot of options here. Thanks

Answer 1

It all depends. If she is a beginner, look into the Learn To Skate program in your area. They follow guidelines from the US Figure Skating Association with a step-by-step approach. The sessions here are 8 weeks long with a test at the end. If you pass you move up a level. You start in Basic 1; after Basic 8 you go to Freestyle. I pay $10.00 an hour for group lessons (half of the hour is practice time and the other half is with a coach). Private coaching runs $1.00 a minute. We don't do a lot of that. Try to find out when your local rink is the least busy and take her there for practice. Just starting out, I really think even once a week for lessons should be enough. She can practice in between. Most of all, make sure she is having fun! They all do to start with, but a lot of kids never get past Basic 4 because they lose interest. If she makes it past there, that might be the time to see if you want to invest more heavily. Talk to the coaches about her skates. For beginners, even rental skates (they should loan them to you for free) might be okay. When she starts with jumps and spins, even crossovers, she will need more ankle support. Quality skates start around $100.00-$200.00. If she gets serious, they will be MUCH more. They sell the blades and boots separately at a certain level. Blades need to be sharpened, but that's not expensive, about $5.00 if you don't need a custom job. There are many miscellaneous expenses that will come up, blade guards and soakers, gloves, tights, costumes if she performs, etc. I do have to say, most of the cars outside our rink are Caddies and Lexuses. But I drive a GMC and we have been okay so far.

Answer 2

It depends on how old your daughter is. It also depends on if you want to give her private competitive lessons, or group lessons. For me, my competitive lessons cost about 160$ a month plus ice fees (not so much, about 90$ for the whole season.). You coach is only with you during those lessons, and so, you learn much quicker. But I recommend you start by giving her group lessons for about a year or 2 and then move onto competitive, so that she can have a general idea on if she likes the sport. Group classes are about 200$ for the whole season, depending on where you live. I skate 3 days a week, about 2 or 3 hours a day, after school and on the weekend. That's a minimum of 4 or 5 hours a week. I skate as much as I can. Skaters only practice their routines everyday before a competition. I skate more during the winter because it's the competitive season, and so, practice is the key. I never miss school for skating but I go right after school, so that I get a much time on the ice. If you put her in competitive, she'll need dresses and tights. And for group lessons, it depends on you club's uniform. For either, she needs a good pair of skates, that support her ankles for later jumps. If she's just starting, then 100$ should do. But when she gets onto higher jumps in a few years, they'll cost more. I recommend she starts skating at a young age so she doesnt waste time if shes gonna compete. I hope that helped!

Answer 3

The more important question is does she WANT to do it. If she doesn't want to do it, then it doesn't really matter how much natural aptitude she has, you're just going to end up spending a lot of your money on making one little girl very miserable. If she becomes interested on the other hand that's another story entirely. She'll learn faster and actually -want- to get out of the house to go skating. My advice is, assuming she's not really interested now, see if you can get your elder daughter to talk about ice skating in a way that makes it sound really cool. She can talk about good feelings she experiences while she's doing it in conversation, maybe thrill of competition if she experiences that, or anything else that would make the sport sound like it is something to envy so long as it is true (trust me your daughter will know if it is a lie or if you are trying to force it). I don't know what kind of relationship you have with them for conversation, but if you can get your eldest talking while the youngest is around by asking open ended questions that you already know the answers to (or at least think you do) it might start to kindle some of that inspiration. If your eldest is doing it and she hates it... it might be time to question whether or not she should keep doing it being that a recreational activity such as non-professional sports -SHOULD- be fun for those who do it. Also I really like Debora's response above because it will help BOTH of them. They say the best way to learn something or become an expert is to teach it... In this case, for once, "they" are right.

Answer 4

My daughter is four and just starting out, I am 27 and just starting out. My skates were 150ish but once I get past a certain level I plan on buying better skates. It can be costly however if you have skill, such as I am a photographer and seamstress, you can try and barter with the coaches at the rink, they might not want to do it but no harm in asking, I am about to score me some lessons because of it. If your rink has a membership I would deffinatly go for that. it's $150 for six months at my local rink It prolly wont include skate rental but if you have your own skates then it is a great deal. I go almost every day now for at least 2 hours. I would strongly encourage her tho if she wants to do it, and make sure she is having fun with it. It is a great sport and great exercise.

Answer 5

It's pretty expensive, but that depends on how serious you'll be. Also, only skaters getting ready for competitions will practice a lot, but for hours. I skate twice a week after school, so I don't miss any school. Go for it, but if your daughter isn't into it, don't become a mean skater mom. Let her choose if she wants to continue after a few lessons, it may be that she loves it, or she may not.

Answer 6

Casey, if you live outside of Houston you have 5 rinks to choose from, outside of Dallas you have even more options.

Depending on the rink you can expect to pay for beginner group classes from anywhere from $50.00 a semester to $125.00 per class. Most often classes include rental skates.

Most skaters that attend school practice or take private lessons early in the morning as early as 5am to when they have to leave for school and immediately after school as well as on the weekends. Again this depends on the rink and the coach you have.

If you want to know the qualifications of a coach you can contact the professional skaters association (PSA)

Answer 7

It is pretty costly. Skates, lessons, and ice time. I skate 3 times a week. I go after school, and its not too bad. You don't need to practice hours a day. Check if your rink has lessons avalible before or after school.

P.S. - If she is just starting out skating I only recommend twice a week. Its hard on the legs at first.

Answer 8

Yeah it's quite costly. Help your daugther manage her time well, like make sure she does her homework and stuff before she goes for practice so she won't miss out on schoolwork.

Answer 9

well i am a skater and have lessons every Saturday and Thursday. I t is quite costly.

Answer 10

for me 80$ for a month