What's your Link to the Skating Rink/Skatingforums?

[Isk8NYC]

We haven't had a poll in a long time and the discussion about what members are skaters, parents, etc. is interesting. 

So, what brings you to www.skatingforums.com? 

Are you a former/current skater?
A parent of a former/current skater?
A fan of figure skating?
A skating coach or instructor?

If there's another reason, clue us in!

The poll is anonymous, your comments are not.


Can't believe FSWer didn't start a thread like this at some point, but I can't find one.  He's usually good at starting these types of discussions, but his browser doesn't like the SMF software we're using now.

[icedancer]

Great idea!  We seem to have to many new people visiting this board and so many new or returning skaters!

But there are many reasons for us to go to the rink - this poll only gives the option of choosing one - any way to open it up so I can check off more choices?

I'm an adult skater who skated as a kid and came back when I was around 34 - that was 24 years ago!

In the meantime I have taken some dance tests starting where I left off as a kid with the Pre-silver dances (having failed them at 14, retook them at 35!), some Moves and Figures tests, become a US Figure Skating judge (Silver Singles and Pairs test judge - just submitted my application materials for Gold Dance test judge) am an avid skating fan (having attended Nationals and World Championships, etc. a few times and worked as a volunteer) and have been an organizer and chairperson for the "All Figures Open Competition" here in Portland, OR.

So the reasons I go to the rink are:

1. Exercise
2. keep working on skills so as to not completely lose them
3. Stay in the "bubble" so that I can what is going on in the skating world
4. Constant and continual learning about skating so that I can be a better judge both by doing critiques, learning from my coach(es) and sharing with fellow skaters - adults and "non-adults"!
5. Socializing with skaters and skating parents, rink staff, etc.

I'm sure there is more to it than that but I like to encourage anyone who is thinking about coming back to skating to JUST DO IT!!

[Isk8NYC]

Won't voting in two categories skew the results?  I thought we were curious about the board members' current skating ties.  Opinions, please.

[Skittl1321]

Won't voting in two categories skew the results?  I thought we were curious about the board members' current skating ties.  Opinions, please.

I think many of us fit two categories though.  Many adult skaters are also parents of skaters, for example.   I'm also an instructor and a huge skating fan, and friends of many skaters, but the best option was that I am an adult skater.  That was easier to decide on though than the skater/parent thing though.

[icedancer]

Ooops -

I just read the poll question - what brings me to skatingforums?  I thought it was "what brings me to the rink?"

Well, I still think it should be open-ended but it's your poll!

[Isk8NYC]

I changed the poll to allow multiple votes.  We now have 11 votes for six members.
You'll have to figure out some way to make that meaningful - an average, perhaps?

[icedancer]

Okay, removed my first vote, and re-voted.

Thank you.

[SK8N]

I am currently an adult skater, so that's how I voted.  However, I am also a parent of a skater, but I didn't vote on that.  I am here on the forums for my skating, not my daughter's.  And now that she's 16 and can drive herself, the only thing I have to do with her skating at the rink is to pay for it

[Sierra]

I am a teen skater that started at 12. My mom also skates as an adult skater, though I only voted on one.

Hopefully I'll be a coach in the future.

[FigureSpins]

So far, 26 out of 30 voting members are active adult skaters.

[luvdisny]

I come to visit the Locker Room.  i have made many friends here since I joined way back in the day!  Waves to ~ Patsy, Scmeck, BarbraM, IskNYC and many others!!!!

[Isk8NYC]

*waves back*