| Having been raised in the era of figure skating | | | | generally very inexpensive, at only a few dollars per |
| superstars like Nancy Kerrigan, Michelle Kwan, and | | | | session. |
| Todd Eldridge, I have been fascinated by this beautiful | | | | If you're looking to test the waters before jumping into |
| display of athletic prowess for nearly two decades. | | | | a class, or simply desire the undivided attention of an |
| But, like many things in life, there comes a point where | | | | instructor, then private lessons are a worthwhile option |
| the fascination slips into a desire to do something more | | | | to consider. Meeting once or twice with a private |
| than just sit on the couch and watch these happenings | | | | instructor is a great way to get started, especially to |
| on the moving picture box. | | | | help you determine whether or not ice skating is |
| Being 30 years old and 50 pounds overweight, part of | | | | something that you will really enjoy and want to stick |
| my brain was telling myself I was absolutely, positively | | | | with as a hobby. Following private instruction with |
| nuts to even be thinking about doing this. Even that first | | | | group classes can give you a head start on learning |
| time I stepped onto the ice, I was still telling myself that | | | | how to ice skate, especially if you take a private |
| I was about to be involved in a major medical | | | | lesson on occasion during the course of being in a |
| emergency involving multiple broken bones. Three | | | | class. Private instruction is definitely more costly, but |
| months later, I am not only injury free, but actually | | | | pays for itself in terms of the progress that you can |
| making substantial progress. | | | | make in your skating skills compared to a group |
| So, how does one go about learning how to skate? | | | | environment. Expect to pay anywhere from $45 to |
| Like anything else, you have to do your homework. It | | | | $100 per hour for private instruction, with most lessons |
| all begins with identifying a facility in your area that | | | | lasting about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your |
| even has a sheet of ice. Most major metropolitan | | | | goals and pace. |
| areas of the United States, Canada, and Europe have | | | | Personally, my intention was to meet twice, and only |
| ice facilities of one form or another. Some ice rinks | | | | twice, with a private instructor, and then maybe take a |
| consist only of frozen lakes, while others offer multiple | | | | class, with the thought that doing that much would get |
| ice rinks within one large building, complete with locker | | | | the desire to skate out of my system. My primary |
| rooms, concession stands, skate rental, and more. | | | | interest in learning to skate was to have a wee bit of |
| Finding a facility near you begins with a simple Google | | | | a clue about what it's like to be on the ice, since I had |
| search or a trip through the phone book. | | | | already made the decision that the only way I could |
| After identifying an appropriate facility, you must then | | | | ever actively participate in the sport of figure skating |
| actually contact the ice rink and inquire as to the | | | | was to be a judge. However, after those two private |
| availability of group classes or private instruction. Most | | | | lessons, I was hooked on skating itself, and now my |
| ice rinks offer public skate sessions during which you | | | | weekly lessons are a line item in my personal budget. |
| can obtain one-on-one instruction from a member of | | | | Ice skating is an addictive form of recreation. Learning |
| the site staff. Many facilities in America also participate | | | | to ice skate will provide you with a great sense of |
| in either the U.S. Figure Skating Association or the Ice | | | | personal satisfaction and accomplishment. Whether |
| Skating Institute basic skating skills programs, which | | | | your interest is purely recreational in nature, or you |
| provide a structured course of instruction in either a | | | | have an interest in any of the related disciplines such |
| group format or on an individual basis. | | | | as hockey, ice dancing, or figure skating, ice skating will |
| Most people will start with group lessons. The | | | | provide you with a sense of pure elation, and will |
| advantage of joining a class is that there is an | | | | always provide you with additional challenges should |
| organized curriculum to the entire process of learning | | | | you wish to explore them. |
| how to ice skate, along with being with a group of | | | | In my next article, I will offer insight into selecting an |
| people of your own skill level. The cost for group | | | | instructor for private coaching. This relationship is such |
| lessons is also significantly less than private instruction. | | | | an important one that it deserves careful consideration. |
| It is common for classes to meet twice per week for | | | | I consider myself extremely fortunate that the "next |
| about four to six weeks. These types of classes vary | | | | available instructor" to whom I was assigned is such a |
| in cost depending on where you're geographically | | | | talented coach and a good personality fit. However, |
| located, but in the United States expect to pay | | | | one should not rely on blind luck or good fortune alone |
| between $60 and $100 for such a class. In addition, | | | | when picking an instructor, so be looking for that article |
| you will also likely have to rent skates from the facility | | | | coming soon. |
| you are taking lessons at. However, skate rental is | | | | |