skatingforums
On the Ice => Sitting on the Boards Rink Side => Topic started by: adragast on March 05, 2013, 01:21:45 PM
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Is it possible to start ice skating as an adult (30-40 for example) and eventually learn double jumps? Single axel? Any possibility to have beautiful spinnings, spirals, etc...?
Basically, I am starting ice skating and I am a bit curious about how far I can go.
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It depends on flexibility and effort/training and physical conditioning. My friend learned in her mid 30's and is a beautiful skater. She doesn't have an axel, but she has nice single jumps, spirals and spins.
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It's not impossible, but, as hopskipjump says, it depends on a lot of factors. I started when I was 37. I don't have an axel, but do have all my single jumps. I think I could have learned it, but switched emphasis to ice dance several years ago. (Not because I couldn't do freestyle, but because I prefer dance, and I don't have time to train both properly.)
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You can certainly have nice spirals and spins. You may not be naturally flexible enough to ever achieve the super high spirals you see on TV. But if you stretch regularly and don't have any hip or knee problems, you can get a very nice spiral above hip level.
Spins seem to be a lot harder for adults than they are for kids (well, everything is harder for us) but again,
with practice, they can be beautiful.
I know a lot of people who started skating as adults and are now working on axels, including me. I don't know anyone who's landed one when they didn't begin skating until adulthood, though I'm sure someone here has. But most of those adults working on them have explanations like, "Well, I was close, and then I got pregnant..." and "Work got really busy so I couldn't skate." So landing an axel isn't impossible but it does take consistent focus that a lot of adults just aren't able to have.
But the axel is just a jump! You can be a beautiful skater without one and a sloppy skater with one.
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I started taking group lessons at 27, did the group lessons for 5 years, then had to quit for 5 years, but then came back at 37 and started taking private lessons. I landed my first axel at 38 and my first double salchow a few months later. I did the splits for the first time at 42, after learning correct stretches from a physical therapist and doing them regularly. The same year, I mastered the change-edge spiral, Y spiral, fan spiral with forward to backward change of free leg position, and catch foot spiral with foot higher than head level. I also got my pancake spin that year. I have yet to do a layback spin, though. For some reason, my back just doesn't do that! :p
When I first started, I asked an adult skater how long he'd been taking the group lessons and he said 3 years. He could do 3-turns, a scratch spin and several of the single jumps. I figured, OK, if I start now, I'll be doing that when I'm 30. If I don't start now, then I'll still be mucking around like I am now. So whatever age you are, that's what I would say to you as well! :)
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Absolutely! I started a year ago at 32. I'm actually among the youngest adults of my rink's 'regulars' -- there are skaters who began in their 40s and 50s, and they're jumping. I'm not sure if anyone who started as an adult has their axel yet, but there are lots of singles up through lutz and I see axel as an attainable (if far-off) goal.
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I started taking group lessons at 27, did the group lessons for 5 years, then had to quit for 5 years, but then came back at 37 and started taking private lessons. I landed my first axel at 38 and my first double salchow a few months later. I did the splits for the first time at 42, after learning correct stretches from a physical therapist and doing them regularly. The same year, I mastered the change-edge spiral, Y spiral, fan spiral with forward to backward change of free leg position, and catch foot spiral with foot higher than head level. I also got my pancake spin that year. I have yet to do a layback spin, though. For some reason, my back just doesn't do that! :p
When I first started, I asked an adult skater how long he'd been taking the group lessons and he said 3 years. He could do 3-turns, a scratch spin and several of the single jumps. I figured, OK, if I start now, I'll be doing that when I'm 30. If I don't start now, then I'll still be mucking around like I am now. So whatever age you are, that's what I would say to you as well! :)
This response made me smile...BIG!!
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This response made me smile...BIG!!
Aw, thanks, Roseyhebert! :) Are you an adult skater as well? When did you start skating? And regardless of how long we've been landing axels and double salchows, they still manage go missing, don't they? LOL!
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Well, I'm in the process of finding out how far an adult male starting out at 37 can go. Lucky for me I've always been really fit and slender and active, so other than some serious working out targeted to skating and stretching I wasn't really needing to get "in shape". I think a high level of fitness helps. That said, I think flexibility is the main thing holding most adult men back. I struggle with it. That and the fear of injury tends to hold back an adult who doesn't want to risk a job-threatening (pay cheque threatening) injury. I know i can't afford a disabling injury as my job is very physically demanding using my feet and hands all day. Just go slow and plug away as much as you can. ;D
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I had a coach who flat out told me she'd never seen a student who started skating after 30 get an axel. She had a student who skated as a child then took a pause between 18 and 30 who got an axel, but that girl had been doing jumps before she quit.
'Skated as a child' seems to make a lot of difference for the axel in particular.
If someone ever asks "Did you skate as a child?" That's high praise.
No. one. ever. asks. me. that. :'(
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'Skated as a child' seems to make a lot of difference for the axel in particular.
I agree that this is perhaps true.
I had a coach who flat out told me she'd never seen a student who started skating after 30 get an axel.
But WHAT. I fully intend to prove her wrong! It... might take a few years but axel and doubles are on the long-term goal list, for sure.
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But if you stretch regularly and don't have any hip or knee problems, you can get a very nice spiral above hip level.
It's not working for me. I must be doing the stretches wrong.
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Aw, thanks, Roseyhebert! :) Are you an adult skater as well? When did you start skating? And regardless of how long we've been landing axels and double salchows, they still manage go missing, don't they? LOL!
I am an adult skater. Took 5 years off from 2006-2011. I skated a lot as a kid, quit when I was 17, came back, quit again, came back quit again, came back, quit again, and now I am back. Will be retiring at the end of this year from skating. Moving away and no rink where I am moving.
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How far can someone go when they start at 13? Is it possible to get doubles, let alone triples? :o
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How far can someone go when they start at 13? Is it possible to get doubles, let alone triples? :o
Johnny weir started at 12, he got pretty far :)
It is unlikely you'll reach the national level starting so late, but with a lot of work, doubles and more are possible.
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How far can someone go when they start at 13? Is it possible to get doubles, let alone triples? :o
Johnny weir started at 12, he got pretty far :)
It is unlikely you'll reach the national level starting so late, but with a lot of work, doubles and more are possible.
Reportedly Johnny Weir had a triple lutz by his third week skating in group (then Patricia Hill took notice). That must have been one depressed group class. Just remember, Weir was an A-circuit competitive rider before he took up skating. He would probably have been world class in almost any sport he took up.
And conversely, a lot of kids who start skating as children never get an axel. So it's probably something of a crap shoot of genetics, time on ice, iron will, and coaching as to how far anyone gets.
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Johnny weir started at 12, he got pretty far :)
It is unlikely you'll reach the national level starting so late, but with a lot of work, doubles and more are possible.
Don't lose sight of the fact that Weir was already an athlete, having successfully competed in equestrian sports for years. Plus, his family relocated to support his skating. It's not like he was an undisciplined rank beginner skating at a mediocre rink.
Unless the 13 year old and his/her family is ready to upend their lives, Weir's story isn't entirely relevant or typical.
I started as a beginner at 16/17 and was landing axels and doubles while going to college, then working and starting a family. If you have the time, money, coaching and facilities, you could land doubles or triples.
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I started as a beginner at 16/17 and was landing axels and doubles while going to college, then working and starting a family. If you have the time, money, coaching and facilities, you could land doubles or triples.
What was your skating schedule when you first started? And like what levels required you to repeat it?
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Reportedly Johnny Weir had a triple lutz by his third week skating in group
Single axel, not triple lutz
http://www.goldenskate.com/2001/12/weir-jumps-from-show-ring-to-ice-rink/
Also, I think his roller skating experience should not be ignored. But definitely an atypical case.
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I didn't take group lessons - the schedule didn't work for me. I skated, outdoors, 6-8 hrs per week In the winter without lessons and taught myself a bad CW two foot spin. I hired a coach for a 30 min lesson once a week the second year. It was a seasonal rink, so I didn't skate year round until the third year. Once I had a car, I skated 10-12 hours each week and took 45mons of lessons with a former Olympian. The axel took about two years the doubles longer.
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Unless the 13 year old and his/her family is ready to upend their lives, Weir's story isn't entirely relevant or typical.
I certainly didn't say it was typical (you'll notice I mentioned it is unlikely to reach the national level starting at that age- it is unlikely to reach the national level starting at ANY age), but clearly, it is possible.
Having resources, both time, money and natural facility, make the possibilities of success in almost ANYTHING more likely. Weir was lucky to have all these things. I have no idea who the anonymous message board poster is. Perhaps s/he has them too. (Besides which the question was how far can 'someone' go. It didn't say how far can "I" go. There is no way to know how far anyone person can go. But 'someone'- well, with the right combination of factors, 'someone' could go very far.)
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How far can someone go when they start at 13? Is it possible to get doubles, let alone triples? :o
He're a perfect example. This chicagoland skater started at 13, and in this video he demonstrates three triples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzx1wBXv2s
I think he's just joined Holiday on Ice. My impression is that he has achieved this with a limited budget.
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I certainly didn't say it was typical (you'll notice I mentioned it is unlikely to reach the national level starting at that age- it is unlikely to reach the national level starting at ANY age), but clearly, it is possible.
Having resources, both time, money and natural facility, make the possibilities of success in almost ANYTHING more likely. Weir was lucky to have all these things. I have no idea who the anonymous message board poster is. Perhaps s/he has them too. (Besides which the question was how far can 'someone' go. It didn't say how far can "I" go. There is no way to know how far anyone person can go. But 'someone'- well, with the right combination of factors, 'someone' could go very far.)
I wasn't criticizing your response. Weir is always brought up when a teen goes looking for encouragement. However, his is far from a typical story. To get to the top ranks of the sport in a short time, the family does have to upend their lives to support the training. Skating on its own requires dedication and commitment, but accelerating the timeline requires sacrifice as well.
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He're a perfect example. This chicagoland skater started at 13, and in this video he demonstrates three triples:
I think he's just joined Holiday on Ice. My impression is that he has achieved this with a limited budget.
He is awesome. I used to skate on the same ice with him a lot, probably shortly after he started privates according to the youtube timeline. He was throwing doubles left and right on late night public sessions. Amazing flexibility that puts girls at shame, and super fast and low sit spins. *~SIGH~* So happy for him!!
Reportedly Johnny Weir had a triple lutz by his third week skating in group (then Patricia Hill took notice). That must have been one depressed group class.
I also read somewhere Weir has roller background, but hmmm never heard about the fast track TRIPLE lutz. Lots of reports on axel in first week. But a triple jump?!!! He is a freaking genius for sure.
I had a coach who flat out told me she'd never seen a student who started skating after 30 get an axel.
It's rare but not impossible. Now starting after 30 and accomplish a DOUBLE axel would be huge.
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Mod note: Several posts discussing a junior (<16 yo) member's location have been removed from this topic.
No harm was intended, but the board has to comply with internet laws.
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I had a coach who flat out told me she'd never seen a student who started skating after 30 get an axel.
This doesn't surprise me. Most coaches have limited experience with adults. Has this coach been to adult nationals before? (And asked the age everyone started at?)
I would bet most after 30 starters don't get axels because they don't work for them the way kids do. There are some adults who are very very serious skaters, but it is rare to see an adult at the rink 4 hours a day 5 days a week. That is what I see the kids there... And these aren't elites. I think an athletic adult who dedicated the time to it could definetly do it. An axel is not impossible, just very hard.
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Today is my one year anniversary of skating. I am 56. It doesn't seem reasonable to me to worry about how far I will ultimately progress. What is important is whether I enjoy it and am I progressing. For me the answer to both is yes. As long as the answer stays the same I will continue for however far that takes me. Having a great coach who works almost exclusively with adults has made this journey a rewarding one.
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Thanks a lot for your answers it definitively gives me a better pictures about what I can expect and what I should aim. Happy anniversary to rachelplotkin, wish you the best ice skating experience!
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It just makes me so happy to see adults skate. I don't care if they are working on cross overs or doing triples. Just seeing someone over the age of 21 out there just makes me really happy.
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There is an adult skater on youtube who did skate as a kid, then took a very long break to focus on dance (14 years?), but she has learned her double axel and is working on triples as an adult in her 30's. Obviously the dance background is a huge benefit, but it proves that it is still possible to achieve those skills as an adult having NOT had them as a child.
I know a skater who started skating in his late 20's and has an axel and some doubles, which he achieved within a couple of years on the ice. There's a teen at my rink (I thought he was older) who has been skating less than a year and is working on his double axel now... but he is one of those kids who is "always at the rink" and has put in some serious ice time (and off-ice time) and is very focused and determined. His progress has been astonishing, but he's one of those exceptions, not the rule.
I can say, having skated when I was younger and being one of those kids who put in 15+ hours a week, now at 32 I couldn't keep up with that schedule if I wanted to, my body just can't take it. Currently I average 6-8 hours on the ice a week (not counting time spent teaching LTS) with two 30 minute lessons, and occasionally I may push my ice time closer to 10, but I really feel it when I do. I really can't skate every day, I really need a day to rest in between hard sessions. Some weeks I may only get in 4-5 hours in if I can't make one of my normal days for some reason.
I came back to skating as an adult after taking 10 years off - and all of it didn't really come back easily for me. After having 3 kids my body is definitely different, and while some things came back quicker than others, I've continued to struggle with some things that I feel should have come back more easily, and they haven't - jumps in particular, but certain moves have taken more work to re-learn as an adult than they took to learn when I was younger (back 3 turns, brackets, etc). I've had a lot of ups and downs and "why I am I doing this to myself" moments, but I've stuck with it and I've put a lot of work in to having better skating skills now than I did when I was younger, and after 3 years I'm FINALLY starting to see the results of that, but it hasn't been easy.
I had an axel (as well as my 2S and 2Lo) as a kid but I do NOT have them now. I can do them in the harness (as well as 2T and 2F) but something keeps me from really "going for it" off - I don't honestly know if I will ever get the courage to really push myself enough to get that back. I will need to do it if I decide to aim for Gold free, but that requires passing Gold moves first, so I have a while before I really need to worry about it :)
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He're a perfect example. This chicagoland skater started at 13, and in this video he demonstrates three triples:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzx1wBXv2s
I think he's just joined Holiday on Ice. My impression is that he has achieved this with a limited budget.
He is truly talented! And flexible for a guy! Not sure the gender of the original poster, but I think it's worth pointing out that there is a big difference between a girl starting out at 13 and a guy starting out at the same age. First of all, girls grow hips and a chest and second, they don't have that great infusion of testosterone the boys get, which makes them stronger. Not that it's impossible, but I have never personally heard of a girl starting at 13 and mastering triple jumps.
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I had a coach who flat out told me she'd never seen a student who started skating after 30 get an axel.
I personally know one lady who stepped onto the ice at 35 for the first time in her life. She learned the axel and all doubles, though they weren't very consistent, and she often underrotated them. Unfortunately, she got injured a lot, which made her switch to dancing. There, too, she became very good and reached the gold level. Everybody thought she had skated as a child. Even her coach said it was amazing, but she did look as though she had skated as a child. But then she competed at adult nationals as a solo dancer and came in third. She got really upset because the two ladies who placed ahead of her had skated as children. She quit afterwards. It's a shame! The point is, that lady was very strong because she had been involved in a lot of sports as a child (track-and-field, swimming, for example). She also had two practices a day, and took lessons every day, and worked out every day. She didn't work then. I understand, she's more of an exception than a rule, but her whole skating career lasted no more than 5-6 years. So it's not impossible for an adult skater to land an axel, only it will take someone who is less talented more time, that's it.
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If someone ever asks "Did you skate as a child?" That's high praise.
No. one. ever. asks. me. that. :'(
I started a group class at a different rink tonight, and one of the other adults asked me this. I didn't take it as a compliment. I took it more like, "You look like you haven't skated in 15 years." :D
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I started a group class at a different rink tonight, and one of the other adults asked me this. I didn't take it as a compliment. I took it more like, "You look like you haven't skated in 15 years." :D
I understand. Some people asked me if I had skated as a child and were surprised when I told them I hadn't. But those people were so far from skating that I didn't take it as a compliment. Also once a few people approached me after a public session and said, "We've been watching you, thank you for the pleasure." I was unhappy because I had been struggling with my lutz the whole session and couldn't land it. So I though those people were just kidding, so I grumbled, "Yeah, right!" But then I saw that they were serious and got very embarrassed and said, "I mean, thank you!" i felt very, very uncomfortable.
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I skated as a kid until in my 20s, was away for 17 years, came back to break my leg, was away for 2 years, came back for a year and found that I was too afraid to skate, waited not skating until I felt that I would not be terrified, which turned out to take 4 years, then came back about 16 months ago at age 50. I've had some challenges getting in my way of making progress, which has been very frustrating. But I really want to skate, and I am almost absolutely certain that if I practice enough, I will be able to get back working on low doubles.
One thing I have decided, is that since I'm as old as I am (about to turn 51), I can do whatever the heck I want with my skating and my only rule is that I have to have fun doing it.
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I've found two levels of spectators. The "can you do a triple axel" ones and the "can you skate backwards" ones. Nothin impresses the first set, the second is sincere in their compliments.
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One thing I have decided, is that since I'm as old as I am (about to turn 51), I can do whatever the heck I want with my skating and my only rule is that I have to have fun doing it.
As I'm turning 50 next month, this is my rule too. As an adult, I can refuse to do things I don't want to. I tore up both knee caps learning bunny hops, so I don't do them any more. AT ALL!
And I'm with you with broken bones. An ankle and wrist. I even asked the doc putting on the cast if I could continue to skate. None of my friends were surprised to hear that.
And I found that skating is the only form of exercise that I've enjoyed enough to (mostly) stick with for 10+ years.
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.......
One thing I have decided, is that since I'm as old as I am (about to turn 51), I can do whatever the heck I want with my skating and my only rule is that I have to have fun doing it.
Absolutely agree. And I am 65.
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I've found two levels of spectators. The "can you do a triple axel" ones and the "can you skate backwards" ones. Nothin impresses the first set, the second is sincere in their compliments.
I agree... and people are often easily impressed by what they cannot do (or will not try) themselves, and those compliments are ALWAYS genuine :)
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One thing I have decided, is that since I'm as old as I am (about to turn 51), I can do whatever the heck I want with my skating and my only rule is that I have to have fun doing it.
that's what i tell saari - "the minute you are not having fun, that's when we call it a day". i am trying so much to have fun but frankly, i am terrified every moment i'm out there, lol. seriously, i don't know how to adjust to that greasy feeling of not having some nice, solid traction underfoot.
however, i have a rule that i cannot make rules for my daughter that i won't honour myself, so i roll my 46yr old round carcass out onto the ice and i try to have fun and every session, i try something new.
right now, i'm working on stopping. skating backwards will have to wait until i can get a backup alarm - BEEP!!! BEEP!!! BEEP!!!!
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A skater can develop beautiful form no matter when he or she starts. I think the key is to find an appropriate coach. As someone else suggested, some coaches just don't know how to teach adults. Keep in mind that a coaching relationship is like any relationship; you have to find someone that you click with and is willing to support you emotionally and not just bark out instructions and collect an hourly fee. Seek out accomplished adult skaters and find out who they work with. Also look for a coach whose students have beautiful form, not just amazing jumping talent. The coach should also be able to encourage you to keep pushing yourself and to get out of your comfort zone but at the same time recognize that you're not a fearless ten year old. Second, you have to be willing to dedicate yourself to a consistent and frequent skating schedule. Regular skating is so important to progress so you can develop muscle memory. If you're just starting out, skating twice a week will bring you much more progress than practicing only once a week. I think it's also important to look at skating as an exploration without worrying so much about being able to do an axel. The irony in that is that the axel will likely come faster if you don't view it as the holy grail of skating! It's merely a step in the exploration of skating. One other thing: find music you love and skate around to it at the rink. Just move to it like you're dancing. You will develop a lot of body awareness by doing your most basic practice movements to music you love. Ever notice that the most beautiful skaters feel the music? You'd think this would be obvious for all skaters, but it isn't. Lastly, my coach is convinced that every beginning skater is capable of doing world-class basics. Can't do an axel? Well, a beautiful soaring waltz jump is just as satisfying. Also, beautiful stroking and crossovers will make everything else more beautiful. Hope it helps and best of luck to you!
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I've found two levels of spectators. The "can you do a triple axel" ones and the "can you skate backwards" ones. Nothin impresses the first set, the second is sincere in their compliments.
SO true! One set compares you to the skaters they see on TV, while the other set compares you to themselves. The best way to convert the "Can you do a triple axel?" people into "Can you skate backwards?" people is to take them onto the ice with you. . . ;)
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Well, a beautiful soaring waltz jump is just as satisfying.
As someone who skated as a child, I think you are missing some of the challenges adult start skaters face. I started as a YOUNG adult, and a soaring waltz jump is well beyond my ability. There will be some adult start skaters who have natural talent for jumps, but for many of us the "I left the ice!" jumps are what is satisfying.
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Lastly, my coach is convinced that every beginning skater is capable of doing world-class basics. Can't do an axel? Well, a beautiful soaring waltz jump is just as satisfying. Also, beautiful stroking and crossovers will make everything else more beautiful. Hope it helps and best of luck to you!
This is so true! I have been skating since I was six (with a 20 year reprieve while I was busy being a teenager, going to college, getting my career started) and have never done an axel.
But my edges are great and I have great flow. This is why I love skating!!
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But the axel is just a jump! You can be a beautiful skater without one and a sloppy skater with one.
What she said. ^
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did Learn to Skate at age 22 in college, but started skating seriously at 27. Now I'm turning 29 in 3 months. Sometimes I get really delusional and want to do something outrageous. :sweat However, my coach wants to do some off-ice axel training, so maybe I can do some simple doubles in the future. :o I highly doubt I can out-skate the "up to double lutz" blades, though. 88)
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"the minute you are not having fun, that's when we call it a day"
Sometimes you have to work on the boring basics before you can do the fun stuff. Sometimes the fun stuff will lead to painful falls. Skaters need a broader horizon than a minute.
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I'll flip it around and say "the minute I am SCARED, that's when we switch to something else".
That is, something that builds me safely to that particular skill or something else.
And no one will lift me on the ice without first getting it right off-ice first, in gym shoes and not in skates :P
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I'll flip it around and say "the minute I am SCARED, that's when we switch to something else".
That is, something that builds me safely to that particular skill or something else.
And no one will lift me on the ice without first getting it right off-ice first, in gym shoes and not in skates :P
LOL... are you talking about the super dangerous pairs skating? Don't forget to wear a helmet and a padded suit! ;D
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LOL... are you talking about the super dangerous pairs skating? Don't forget to wear a helmet and a padded suit! ;D
Pairs? Never.
I had to gather enough courage to do compulsory ice dance. For years I said I cannot "skate with people".
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I had to gather enough courage to do compulsory ice dance. For years I said I cannot "skate with people".
In my case, the preliminary-level dances were fine, but then somewhere along the way I realized I get confused when there's someone that near me - dance coach once said my Fourteenstep is fine on my own, and then he'd partner me and suddenly the angles were all wrong and the pattern was off, but as soon as I was alone again everything fell back into place! Thinking back, the prelim dances are done with the same steps and in Kilian (or reverse Kilian) position for both dancers, as opposed to the senior bronze ones :sweat
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Pairs? Never.
I had to gather enough courage to do compulsory ice dance. For years I said I cannot "skate with people".
I know. The dance teacher here is dreamy, but ice skating with someone is scary! No thanks.