Figure Skating from a Man's Perspective

[AgnesNitt]

Agnes, male figure skaters do not wear ballet tights.  It's against the rules.

Sorry. It was the first picture I pulled. I'm lazy.  I know ballet tights are against the rules, Brian Boitano was just too hot in them.

Of course they don't.  But depending on how fitted the pants are, and what they're made out of, it can be just as bad.  I remember a Regionals we hosted once, with a young man on the podium in white lycra pants that definitely would have benefitted from the use of a dance belt.  I wondered what his mother thought of that photo - not exactly something you were going to display on the mantel.

Nick, Clarice is correct. I've actually seen instructions for local ice shows that say "Dance belt required".  As far as I know, neither USFSA or ISU requires them for competitions. I'm sure one of our knowledgeable rule specialists can say.

Now for some illustrations. All these male skaters are assuredly wearing dance belts.





In fact the use of dance belts in Blades of Glory was specifically mentioned in the DVD extras by Will Ferrell...something about pain.

Black pants color is popular for a reason, even for unitards.

So true. Speaking as a woman, if I was getting in some of those ice dance positions where I had to grab his leg, balance on his leg, pass between/over his leg(s), I'd prefer my partner wear one.

Speaking as a straight woman observer, an adult man in a tight costume without a dance belt is too distracting.

And does any man really want to skate and know that the predominantly little girl audience at an ice show, every little girl can see the outline of the naughty bits? Preventing that is one of the reasons dance belts exist.

[ChristyRN]

Compression Shorts don't always do the job. Ultimately dance belts under costumes are preferable. Especially when the male skater is older and the costume is form fitting.

Compression shorts disaster. This is a picture of a cycle racing team. It's not a look I want to see on the ice.
I don't want to be banned, so I'm warning you that it's the kind of picture that will either make you laugh hysterically or recoil in horror. For pity's sake, don't click on this and then go complaining to the moderator. There's a reason I'm just posting the link. It's an awards ceremony from a bike race.
https://lh3.ggpht.com/-0FXDrbhT3-M/TbvzdOMTszI/AAAAAAAACoE/9sWdDOcVXg0/s1600/why-bike-shorts-should-be-black.jpg

I particularly got a laugh out of the guy on the far right.  The plant appears to pointing at his exposed parts.

[Sk8tmum]

Okay. Dance Belts.  First, there are the padded ones - those ballet dancers are really NOT that shape.  Then, there are the ones that have the straps holding them on; they look awful under tightly fitting pants, as you can see the straps. And, well, there is comfort too. Chafing.  'nuff said.

Plus, there is another small personal choice in terms of costuming: my son, and his coaches, would never put him on the ice in anything that tight in the crotch.  Not happening.  Yes, Jonny Weir can do it; and that one pic is from Blades of Glory, where they were spoofing ridiculous male skating attire!

Compression shorts are not all the same.  The - control - and - compression - on some is quite substantial.  Some, yup, not much better than the lining on a pair of running shorts.  We use the ones that - well - hold things very snug and secure - actually, the physio recommended them to prevent groin pulls as the level of - control and support - is that good.

You know, the things I've learned as the mom of a skating male ... then again, my husband can also do butt checks on skating dresses, and is "qualified" to evaluate the neckline of skating dresses for fit, form and "display" in the spiral position ...

[sarahspins]

There's a reason I'm just posting the link. It's an awards ceremony from a bike race.

Ummmk, but the norm is to go commando under bike shorts... so IMO that is not a fair comparison at all.  Yes, some colors/fabrics are MUCH more revealing than they could or should be, but suggesting that men should wear a dance belt under their shorts is just ludicrous - I challenge you to ride 100+ miles wearing a thong.  You couldn't pay me enough to even try it... even wearing regular undies is a bad idea because the elastic seams can cause chafing.

[Dreaswi]

we have 2 rinks in our city and as far as i know we have only one adult male. he happens to be gay. at my home rink we have 2 boys, one is a teen and the other is about 10 to 12.. i have no idea what their sexuality is and don't care to know. we have 2 male coaches. one of them has been around for a few years and the other just started here about 10 months ago. I know one male coach teaches at both rinks. i wish there were more male adults as i would love to skate pairs but i know that is only a dream.. i am way to big/heavy to be lifted.

[Query]

Someone on this board pointed out that there is another type of "freestyle skating", usually done in hockey skates with hip-hop music and moves. If you search youtube for

  xtreme freestyle ice skating

most of the skaters are male. Don't know how many are straight.

(Love to see my rink offer lessons in this, though I could only do the easy stuff.)

[jamesleo629]

Its true figure skating is associated with girls and females but men are also good figure rink skates with much graceful dancing style skates.

[Query]

I think the perceived attitude of most ladies guides what most straight men do.

If most ladies are more interested in guys who engage in obviously high risk adventures than in artistic activities, most guys will do what you gals dictate that we do, unless we were too dumb to see the connection while we were young and less breakable.

(Gals eagerly get together with good ballroom and social dancers, so that's different.)

I wonder if artistry is more acceptable for straights in Russian, Chinese and Japanese cultures...

[emitche]

I am 24 and started skating at 22.

At my old rink, I skated during the lunch time public sessions. Most of the skaters were male. Most were in hockey skates. They range in age from their 20s to 60s. Many have no interest in hockey and just come to skate. One guy clearly would benefit from buying figure skates. He does lunges and other fancy stuff on the ice in hockey skates. All of these men are "manly men."

Of the two regular speed skaters, one is a female in her 50s+ and one is a male skater in his 40s+. Also on the ice are little children, experienced female figure skaters, a few women in their 50s+, and sometimes families.

I think the primary goal with skating of any type would be to just enjoy yourself on the ice. If you become competitive, great. If you develop a lifelong hobby, great. It's unlikely that anyone will get to a point with any type of skating where it will pay for itself (though it happens.)

At my new rink, I'm often the only one on the ice during lunch time public skate. There are a few female preteens, college students, and adults who come and skate who are regulars. Sometimes one or two male college students are on the ice. And often families with children come. Then there is a male skater in his 40s who just switched over from hockey skates to figure skates a few months ago. He comes occasionally.

If you choose not to skate just because of other people's impressions (people who know little about skating), you ultimately are cheating yourself. You might be the inspiration for someone else to get on the ice and enjoy themselves. Or you might find a rewarding hobby that you enjoy. If I had stopped skating because I was not the age, size, or race of most of the people around me on the ice, I would have missed out on a meaningful activity.

End of rant. 

[AgnesNitt]

I see teenage boys at various rinks doing spreadeagles (this is popular) and a couple trying 'spin like things', and I think I've seen a couple attempt a waltz jump like thing. Walleys are pretty common. They're screaming to be in figure skates, but their friends or their dads or brothers, or their own mindset traps them in hockey skates.

They're victims of peer pressure. And nothing says "I'm an individual manly man. I can make up my mind and do anything the manly man groupthink tells me to do because I'm a manly individual. Only girly men do what they want to do, real men do what other real men tell them to do."

I think the peer pressure is extending to women too. At one rink I skate at, half the women are in hockey skates, even in LTS. Okay, honestly, I think it's so they can meet guys.  Most of them would be better off in LTS at least in figure skates, then switching to hockey skates. Do guys really think a woman is attractive in hockey skates? All that hunching? Ugh.

Anyway, I had a male friend who decided to learn to skate in his thirties. He started out with hockey but as he said, "Once you can skate forwards and backwards, what's left? Stick skills?" So he switched to figure skating.

[VAsk8r]

I think the peer pressure is extending to women too. At one rink I skate at, half the women are in hockey skates, even in LTS.

I worked used figure skate sales last year as a fundraiser for my club, and I was surprised that several girls in the 9-12 age range really wanted black figure skates. At first my reaction was, "Really? But girls usually wear white skates." Then I realized I was reinforcing gender stereotypes and all that, so I shut my mouth and tried to help find black skates that fit them. We lost at least one sale because of that, because we just didn't have many black pairs and one girl refused to get white.

[AgnesNitt]

I worked used figure skate sales last year as a fundraiser for my club, and I was surprised that several girls in the 9-12 age range really wanted black figure skates. At first my reaction was, "Really? But girls usually wear white skates." Then I realized I was reinforcing gender stereotypes and all that, so I shut my mouth and tried to help find black skates that fit them. We lost at least one sale because of that, because we just didn't have many black pairs and one girl refused to get white.

Women wore black skates before Sonja Henie.Just a point of historical interest.

[Doubletoe]

I think the perceived attitude of most ladies guides what most straight men do.

If most ladies are more interested in guys who engage in obviously high risk adventures than in artistic activities, most guys will do what you gals dictate that we do, unless we were too dumb to see the connection while we were young and less breakable.

That may be true for you, Query, but seeing as you already engage in a sport that is not popular among most men, you are probably not representative of the average man.  Once boys reach the age of 6 or 7, they generally want to be socially accepted by other boys, so they gravitate to "male" sports and activities.  It's another 7 or 8 years before girls' opinions really start to matter, so a lot of socialization happens that reinforces that behavior.  Then, when they become teenagers,, they see that the girls pay an awful lot of attention to the football quarterback, basketball team captain, etc., which just reinforces the assumption that what gets you respect with the other guys is also what will get you attention from the girls.  Unless they are already involved in the world of figure skating, most boys don't even have a chance to see how much attention the few male skaters get from all the cute girls at the rink!  Of course, once they've gotten past the peer pressure years and are more secure with themselves, there are a few guys who will try figure skating because it seems fun/challenging.  In fact, and I once met two guys in my figure skating class who signed up specifically to meet women (proof that nerds can be excellent strategizers!), LOL!

Having said all that, I really appreciated Sk8mum's take on the whole thing.  More power to you!

[ls99]

I have read this thread with a bit of amusement. I am a male skater. A few weeks short of official card carrying geezerhood. Started, I think at 62 or so. Time flies when having fun.

The rink where I stated had two other male figure skaters. Both in the late 50 bracket. One came with his wife.  My wife came a few times but decided not to continue.

I visited two other rinks, where I was one of two adult males. Mind you, as a retiree I only skate on  weekdays, never in the evening or weekends. Retirement has its privileges. I am self taught, have no tolerance for instructors, classes and such.


Someone mentioned that male skaters are invisible. In my experience not true.
I am friendly with several instructors who marvel at what I accomplished, and are amused at my method of learning.

In fact a few weeks ago at one of the rinks, a coach inquired if I would put together a program for their Christmas show. She thinks I do amazing stuff. I politely declined, that would be WORK. But thanked fer for her vote of confidence.

Incidentally I cringe when seeing male skaters in frilly feminine garb. Regardless of how great they are, I refuse to watch them. Just a personal peccadillo.

Incidentally, my absolute top model for skating skills and musicality is: John Curry. I do keep his skating image in mind when I am skating. The perfect model to emulate. IMHO

[ls99]

Forgot to add, and, since I don't know how to edit my post on this board: my all time favorite female skater, again in skill AND artistry is Belita.

[Sk8tmum]

Having said all that, I really appreciated Sk8mum's take on the whole thing.  More power to you!

Thank you ... I've had this discussion with many many people over the years, and it's something we've thought about a great deal ... did he figure skate because of the intrinsic value of the sport, or because we encouraged it? Would he have continued skating if we had been less supportive?  Was it because his coach "knew" how to work with smelly, grubby, obstinate little boys?  Don't know. I know of so many boys who dropped out ... but also so many girls! 

Full credit also to Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Andrei Rogizine, Paul Poirier, Asher Hill, and Patrick Chan, who all, over the years, have dropped words of encouragement into his ears and given him positive role models on the ice, when we've been lucky enough to skate with them or do seminars ... the guys are great in supporting each other ... and at his level, the tight little crew of "guys" who have been skating and competing against each other certainly have each others' backs.

[AgnesNitt]

Forgot to add, and, since I don't know how to edit my post on this board: my all time favorite female skater, again in skill AND artistry is Belita.

Dating yourself dear.

You can find a couple of her movies on netflix streaming. And some of her routines on youtube.

[Query]

seeing as you already engage in a sport that is not popular among most men, you are probably not representative of the average man.

Ouch!

most boys don't even have a chance to see how much attention the few male skaters get from all the cute girls at the rink!

Where I skate, freestyle girls are either too serious about their skating to flirt at the rink, or they congregate together, or they flirt with hockey boys. A bit older, and they have already married, outside their sport. Your rink must be different from mine.

AFAICT, when gals are approached by guys at an ice rink, they usually complain of being "hit upon". Ladies tend to be more open to male attention at dances, parties, or, oddly enough, in male dominated outdoor recreation sports. Maybe bars too.

But I guess you are right, young boys don't need girls' approval. I was thinking of guys who start when they are older.

[ls99]

Dating yourself dear.

You can find a couple of her movies on netflix streaming. And some of her routines on youtube.

Never a problem, more like lifetime achievement.  65 in 24 days.

[Query]

The real truth is that human beings are much too complex and varied for simple theories to have complete validity.

Nonetheless, let me advance a formal theory, based on a set of assumptions, for which I have no statistical support:

1. LTS is usually taught by monkey-see-monkey-do techniques. Strong emphasis is placed from the very start on precise imitation. Same for other typically female activities like gymnastics, fine art and performance dance.

2. Because skating is an art, the precise way in which you move is important, and monkey-see-monkey-do is very important.

3. At the early learning stages, typically male-type activities are less specific in that way, and more oriented towards figuring out an effective way to produce concrete results. You need to catch or throw or black a ball (or puck) effectively, beat someone up effectively, annoy other people effectively, or figure out how to change word problems into equations. The exact way you do these things does not matter at first.

EDIT: 3.5 Female-type sports require better balance. Male-type sports require more upper body strength.

4. On average, females are initially slightly better at monkey-see-monkey-do learning.

5. On average, females initially find it slightly easier to balance.

6. On average, males are initially slightly better at analytic abstraction.

7. On average, males initially have slightly stronger upper body strength.

8. Kids, teens and adults are all easily discouraged by skill which they perform worse than their peers.

9. Kids, teens and adults all work harder to master skill which they perform better than their peers.

10. In most cultures where it is economically possible to master leisure skills, beginner classes are usually coed.

Conclusion: On average, females will be more interested in mastering artistic skills like skating that are taught by monkey-see-monkey-do techniques, or which require balance. On average males will be more interested in mastering skills in which you must figure out what to do, or use upper body strength.

8 and 9 are very important, because they emphasize slight differences.

I am least certain of assumptions 4-7.

Comments?

[ONskater74]

I'm male, 38, and started skating a year ago. For me figure skating  is something I have always wanted to do. Whether it was fear, my childhood religious training, lack of confidence, or just the grind of adult life, or what..maybe all of the above, kept me from pursuing this desire.
Last year I just said "Its now or never"  and went out skating on broken down figure skates from the Thrift Shop. All I did was wobble around the rink and fall, but hey! No pain no gain
Late last year skates fell apart and finally found a pair of Jacksons, new, that fit. World of difference!
Anyhow, as a man learning to figure skate, I'm the only one at the rinks I skate at. I just go to mid-week public skating, and all I normally see are people in hockey skates doing laps (is that not boring as h-ll?). Once in a while I'll see a female figure skating, but no other men. Since skating opened up this autumn I've gone from just stroking forward and one foot glides to forward inside/outside 3 turns, brackets, forward changes of edge, choctaw, forward inside and outside 8's, crossovers, T stop l and r, spirals. I skate 3-4 hrs/wk on my days off. I had a coach lined up and we had one lesson, but then she moved away. Still searching... 
I purchased the DVD Figure Eights by Karen Courtland Kelly and it has been invaluable as a tool. It helps me to see each element and then I can walk through it on the floor and when I'm on the ice I visualise it and it just comes to me. The intense satisfying rush that comes from executing a turn cleanly is worth a dozen falls. For me the challenge of school figures is something I can really get into. I work on them for an hour every time I skate at a 2 hour public session. I have a scribe I designed and built, aluminum collapsible with a folding handle, but at the public skates there are people skating through your figure all the time and no place to leave it safe, so I don;t use it.
I wish there were some way I could belong to a skating club, and get involved in adult competitions, but I work full time, and I doubt such a system exists here in Ontario. All the little kiddies and teenyboppers have their Skate Canada clubs, but there is no place in their system for someone like myself. The club nearest to me refused to return my enquiry, and the next nearest club only offers ice time and coaching during working hours...when you work a 12 hr day that includes anything before 8pm
For adult men it is an odd sport to take up, but it is intensely physically demanding. I work out and weight train 5 days a week, I eat like an athlete would. I've never been in better shape, and I've always been slender and strong at 6ft tall. I'm addicted to it
Not married, and no girlfriend, but I'm not gay. Just sayin', as that topic has come up in the thread. I'm a loner I guess, last girlfriend was 16 yrs ago

[nicklaszlo]

The club nearest to me refused to return my enquiry, and the next nearest club only offers ice time and coaching during working hours...when you work a 12 hr day that includes anything before 8pm

Instead of contacting the clubs, contact the coaches.  There are plenty of coaches out there who are desperate for more students and would be willing to work at any time.  Coaches probably know more about when and where you can find ice too.  You probably don't need club ice yet anyway.

[FigureSpins]

Instead of contacting the clubs, contact the coaches.  There are plenty of coaches out there who are desperate for more students and would be willing to work at any time.  Coaches probably know more about when and where you can find ice too.  You probably don't need club ice yet anyway.

The skating clubs in Canada are more in charge than those in the US.  He probably does need to join the Club to arrange lessons.  Best bet is to find out when they meet and ask for info.

[Sk8tmum]

I'm male, 38, and started skating a year ago. For me figure skating  is something I have always wanted to do. Whether it was fear, my childhood religious training, lack of confidence, or just the grind of adult life, or what..maybe all of the above, kept me from pursuing this desire.
I wish there were some way I could belong to a skating club, and get involved in adult competitions, but I work full time, and I doubt such a system exists here in Ontario. All the little kiddies and teenyboppers have their Skate Canada clubs, but there is no place in their system for someone like myself. The club nearest to me refused to return my enquiry, and the next nearest club only offers ice time and coaching during working hours...when you work a 12 hr day that includes anything before 8pm

You certainly should be able to find a Skate Canada club in Ontario that will allow you to join as a Skate Canada member. There is an adult track in Skate Canada that definitely allows you to compete as an adult.  It starts, right now, at age 25 and up ... there is a new track coming in for 18 - 25.

As a Skate Canada member, you will also be able to use "ticket ice" which is figure skating ice reserved for SC members.  This is way better than public skate ... you really can't practice patch (figures) on public skate, or figure skating ... this differs from the US system. 

I know of many clubs who run adult programs and/or welcome adult members at all levels from absolute beginner to long term skater just skating for pleasure - or competing.  Many run sessions at night and on the weekends.  My home club has an active adult session ... with absolute beginners and "real figure skaters" - including some guys.

I know the COS, EOS very well - WOS a bit - and NOS, not well, but, there is a Section office that can help you.  A Skate Canada coach cannot coach you unless you are a Skate Canada member ... so, the first step is getting you a membership at a club.  Then, you have access to all of the Skate Canada programs, and can start moving forward further with your skating.  Where did you look to find a club?  Without knowing your region ... you can PM me if you don't want to post it publicly.

[SynchKat]

ONSkater, like Sk8mum said there are some clubs with adult programs.  I know of a club in Toronto which is predominately an adult club.  Ticket ice would be a great way to go.  Public skating in Canada is not what public skating is in the US.  I always get in trouble for "figure skating" on public sessions. 

WOS is a very pro adult Section with lots of clubs offering adult programs.  They have the biggest contingent of skaters typically at Adult Nationals. 

Hope you can find somewhere to skate.  If you have a fair bit of money to shell out my club has a very healthy adult program and even offers a figures class.