Advice for Adult Aussie Learning to Skate

[Hawke]

Hi Everyone I've just joined the forum and this is my first post 

I discovered ice skating late in life and only six months ago and already I'm completley addicted to it!

I'm in Melbourne and there aren't many people my age and gender who skate so I don't really have anyone I can talk to about it and get advice off, I think my friends have started to zone out when I tell them how much I love it and talk about my progress because they have no idea what I'm talking about, unfortunatley I think ice skating is largley under rated in Australia. 

So  I've currently been skating for only six months, I started in July with a 10 week group lesson course  (Adult 1).  Then I  signed up to  Adult 2 and  also a supplementary stroking class and a half hour private coaching session. So thats three half hour sessions a week over Saturday and Sunday plus a half hour practise session. This Sunday will be the end of Term and then next term I plan to do Adult 3 but that doesn't start until the end of February, in the meantime I will do a least a half hour per week with a coach and try to make it at least one or twice a week for additonal practise. Next term along with the core Adult 3 lesson I pland to do two half hour supplementery lesson which are stroking and then edges and also a half hour with a coach, and half hour of practise. I know everyone is different but how quickly can I expect to progess and what else should I be doing apart from general fitness to get to a reasonable level of proficiency, I still feel unsteady sometimes and get the wobbles and general fall over at least once everytime I skate at this stage.

I also bought a pair of Jackson Freestyle skates, which had to be ordered from the US and shipped over it took about 3 weeks before I could get them. I didn't get the chance to try on any skates before they arrived because shops here don't stock mens figures skates and had only worn rental boots. Although I was measured by a guy who is a professional - I think - ice dancer, I'm not sure they are the right ones for me, how do I know?    The last couple of times I have skated I've found the outer sole of my feet really hurt during and after skating, is this normal? Do I just put up with it or is there something I can do?

Any and all advice would be very welcome, and thank you in advance for any contributions!!!

Hawke

[sampaguita]

Could you ask your pro shop if your Jacksons are heat moldable? When I bought my Riedell 133, the shop had them heat-molded so they fit better to my foot. If your outer sole is hurting, either the boot is too wide or too narrow. I don't know what can be done about boots that are too wide, but certainly, boots that are too narrow can be punched or heat-molded.

[Harleyboy]

Welcome to skating and to the best skating forum.

Wow, this is cool..I get to offer advice because I've been skating almost twice as long as you.  Problem is, I don't know very much.

sampaguita has given you some really good advice about the heat moulding. Find somebody with the correct oven and get your boots moulded to your feet. I had  to do it twice before we got my boots to fit but it was well worth the cost.

As for your lesson plan, I think you are doing great. You'll might notice that the kids learn stuff quicker & easier but don't let it bother you. Slow & steady progress will get us where we want to go.  The main thing is to enjoy our time on the ice. I can find no reason to make this a job with deadlines & quotas.

Keep us posted with your progress and feel free to ask questions. This forum is loaded with real skaters that are more than willing to help.

[kiwiskater]

Keep us posted with your progress and feel free to ask questions. This forum is loaded with real skaters that are more than willing to help.

and plenty of knowledgeable people and other 'late bloomers' like Hawke

[aussieskater]

I second sampaguita's advice re heat moulding - Jackson Freestyles are heat-mouldable.  Freestyles are a good boot for adult beginners, especially if they don't weigh only 35kgs dripping wet.  Sounds like you've done the best you can re being properly fitted.

Welcome to the sport!  As you've already found out, it's addictive... 

[Bunny Hop]

Just be careful whoever you ask about the heat moulding knows what they're doing - I haven't been into any of the rink shops since being back in Australia, but the ones in the UK I wouldn't have trusted at all with my boots and blades. So maybe ask some of the more experienced skaters if the shop is okay first. Same goes with sharpenings - ask your coach who they would recommend because rink sharpeners aren't always the best, as they aren't necessarily expert in figure skating blades (or the only figure skating blades they touch are rentals). Better to pay a bit more for a sharpening and have it done properly.

It does take a little while to wear in a new pair of boots though, so you may find the pain eases off in time.

[karne]

The pro shop at the Icehouse is supposed to be really good, but like most Australian pro shops their main focus is hockey. (I think the only non-hockey pro shop I've found so far was iSkate up at Canterbury!) Still, it can't hurt to ask them about heat-molding.

The other thing I would consider is doing the regular Aussie Skate program. You can do it with a private coach and just show up for testing (at least that's how we do it up here in the ACT). The main reason I got started in that was because my rink didn't start the "Adult" program until about halfway through this year, but I've found it really great for flow and basic skills. Everything leads into everything else.

And also - don't be ashamed of falling. My knee will attest to the fact that EVERYONE falls.

[Hawke]

Hey Guys

Thanks for all you input I really appreciate it!!!  The heat moulding option sounds like a good idea, i rang the guy I bought them off this afternoon to find out if they could do it but they don't have an oven, he suggested another shop where I have gotten them sharpened before but they were already closed, they are my last chance, he didn't know of anywhere else in Melbourne to get it done.
He suggested leaving them in the boot of the car so they can get warm, and then where them skating, I don't know if I like that idea, it's summer here and can get really hot, I don't know if that would be good for them, what do you guys think? I will ring the other shop tomorrow to see if they have the oven there for heat moulding - fingers crossed!!! 

[sampaguita]

I wouldn't put the skates in the car. Skates can get hot, but not hot for too long. The leather could get ruined.

[FigureSpins]

The suggestion was to put the skates in a hot car trunk just one time to heat them enough to mold to the skater's feet, not to store the skates in the trunk, long-term. 

One time will be fine - it does work, but the oven works better because the heat is more concentrated.  I did something similar with my skates by leaving them outside in 103°F temperatures in the sun, inside a black bag.  It worked okay, but the oven is easier and better.

[PrettySk8Dress]

Welcome to the Skating Forums, Hawke. Ice Skating is a wonderful exercise and experience for adults, so don't ever feel uneasy about your choice of this sport as an addition to your other activities. For the most part, adults have their own test structure and competitions, as well as other adult skaters to talk to about whatever is on your mind. That makes things go much better as you learn to skate well, and learn to enjoy ice skating.

Just a word about your own private practice time. Plan on using your time to your best advantage, and resist the thought to not push yourself to do well. Private practice sometimes just becomes a social and chat session, with not much work on skating elements going on. Do your best to work on the elements and routines that your coach has let you know are important. I wish you the best for your ice skating, from Ponytails.

[hopskipjump]

If you mean the edge of your foot where the littlest toe is, you might need the skates punched.  heat molding is nice, but dd always needs punches as well.

[FigureSpins]

There is an introductions forum if you want to keep this thread for your questions.

Introductions: http://skatingforums.com/index.php/board,22.0.html
(Only open to members with posts.)

[Hawke]

Thanks everyone for your advice, the shop where I get my blades sharpened does have an oven for heat moulding yayyyy! So I'll take them there on Saturday afternoon and get them done, I'll let ya'll know how it goes! 

[sampaguita]

There is an introductions forum if you want to keep this thread for your questions.

Introductions: http://skatingforums.com/index.php/board,22.0.html
(Only open to members with posts.)

OT: Am a little confused. Are we required to introduce ourselves before posting questions on this forum, or are we suggested to put questions in the intro forum? Thanks!

[Bunny Hop]

For the most part, adults have their own test structure and competitions,

No, this is incorrect. The only country with an adult test structure is the USA. Australian adult skaters do the same tests as the kids (same is true of the UK and Canada). Yes, some rinks have adult Learn to Skate classes, but the ISA tests do not discriminate between Adults and the rest. More competitions do now have adult sections though, with adult events included at the National Championships this year.

Hawke, I see you have solved your heat moulding problem, but the other suggestion I have seen is heating the lining using a hair dryer at home and then putting the skates on and sitting in them for a while (with hard guards on the blades of course!).

[Isk8NYC]

OT: Am a little confused. Are we required to introduce ourselves before posting questions on this forum, or are we suggested to put questions in the intro forum? Thanks!

You're the second person in as many days who gave a lengthy intro with their first question/post, so I thought an explanation was in order.  This forum (Pro Shop) is open to guests and lurkers, so anyone can read the posts.  However, lurkers (and golf club spambots) can't see the members' introduction forum or posts until they've posted *something* - a question, an answer, a concern, etc.  One post opens that door, where you can create an introductory thread.  Just a little identity protection on the world wide web.  No biggie.

(One spambot post gets the ID banned and reported to the anti-spam agencies.)

[kiwiskater]

Hey Guys

Thanks for all you input I really appreciate it!!!  The heat moulding option sounds like a good idea, i rang the guy I bought them off this afternoon to find out if they could do it but they don't have an oven, he suggested another shop where I have gotten them sharpened before but they were already closed, they are my last chance, he didn't know of anywhere else in Melbourne to get it done.
He suggested leaving them in the boot of the car so they can get warm, and then where them skating, I don't know if I like that idea, it's summer here and can get really hot, I don't know if that would be good for them, what do you guys think? I will ring the other shop tomorrow to see if they have the oven there for heat moulding - fingers crossed!!! 

I must point out summer is the best time of year to get the fit of your skates right. I bought mine in spring and now through to summer I find as the weather warms up that my boots are just a tad too tight for my liking but the shop has terrible hours & I can never seem to time it so they can have my boots for a few days to stretch without not having then for my lesson...

[Hawke]

Hi Everyone, so I got my skates heat moulded today, I haven't skated on them yet, but while I was at the store waiting I got the Jackson foot ruler and measured my foot and I should be in a 9.5, the guy (from another store) who measured and sold me the Jacksons gave me a size 11!! I've only had them for a few months and they were my first pair of skates so I just took his advice. I've read that they should fit perfectly or it can pose a probelm in developing as I am a new skater, Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do??? The current skates are Jackson Freestyles....I'm really disappointed as it's obviously an error by the fitter but a very expensive one for me!!!

[nicklaszlo]

If your feet are moving around in the skate, they are too big.  Rubbing could be causing your problem.  You could try getting them relined by a shoe repair specialist, but you may be too far off for that to work.  If they're way too big, you can try selling them.

[hopskipjump]

Are they rubbing - foot feels loose?  Or does the width in that area feel too tight?

[sampaguita]

Sorry to hear about the sizing issue. When you wear your skates, how does it feel? It should feel snug, and you foot shouldn't be able to move about inside the skate, but your toes should be able to wiggle.

Before doing anything about the skates, I suggest asking the new pro shop to confirm your true size, both the length AND the width. If it is indeed a case of oversizing, maybe you can go back to your old fitter and request him to replace the skates, since it is his error that caused you all this trouble. If he refuses, then maybe the new pro shop can do something about the oversizing. If there's nothing that can be done, then selling might be the best option.

[Bunny Hop]

I have successfully sold skates on Ebay. If they haven't been used that much, and you price them right, there should be a market. In my case I was selling because I'd been over booted by the fitter, rather than badly sized, but the point is that sometimes you need to cut your losses and just buy new boots and blades.