I started because I wanted to sign my kids up for some basic lessons (we had endured a few skating b-day parties which are no fun at all if you can't skate) and noticed there were adult groups at the same time. Beats waiting around reading my phone, I thought. I never ice skated as a kid in Florida in the 80's, but my sister and I would roller skate in the driveway a lot, so at 40 when I got onto the kid b-day party ice, I could skate around in circles, do CCW crossovers, and skate backwards. I signed up for 1X week 30 minute Adult 3 class to start and was immediately bitten by the bug. 7 months later I am up to 5-7 hours a week of ice time, just passed Adult 6 and hired a coach. I just love it!
- The Accomplishments: I have spent all my life as a klutz and never did any sports or dance except under duress. I was a very academic kid and my big extracurricular was playing piano. So I get a huge sense of accomplishment, joy, and wonder with each new skill and with each improvement in this difficult physical activity. Still a klutz but there is hope for me yet!
- The Mental Break: Skating allows me to escape completely from the worries and pressure of normal life and its work problems, kid problems, house problems, dog problems, etc. It takes every bit of concentration I have not to kill my klutzy self out there so I get deep into the zone and the time flies by. Like a mini vacation every time I step on the ice.
- The Music: I love stroking around or trying my Waltz 8 in time to my favorite tunes and can't wait until I can do a program.
- The Peeps: I am having an awesome time with my new friends, my fellow crazy adult skating peeps at the rink. And the coaches who have so patiently worked with me and my kids to bring such joy into our lives.
- The Ice: When it is fresh, the ice feels amazing under my feet. Full of serenity and potential. Like nothing else anywhere.