Freestyle sessions

[Tigerstein]

I have always skated on public sessions but now my main rink only has them on the studio rink and there are just too many people who don't know what they're doing most of the time. I was wondering if you think I should switch to freestyle or stay on public?

[AgnesNitt]

Are you qualified by your rink's skating program to go on freestyle? If not, then you should talk to your coach or skating director.

[Bill_S]

Freestyle will cost considerably more too.

At our local rink with very few people on freestyle sessions (and almost no elite skaters), anyone can walk on if you just pay the fee.

That will depend on the rink though, so as AgnesNitt states, ask first.

[PhysicsOnIce]

Depend on how your rink works, but definitively try to get on freestyle session if you can.
There will be a lot less people to worry about and you will be able to focus more on your skating and make more progress.

[Doubletoe]

Are you proficient in turns and changes of direction, and able to move fast when necessary?  Are you aware on the ice and able to recognize different jump set-ups and when a skater is going into a spiral or step sequence?  If so, you will probably be OK on a freestyle session.  You just need to keep your eyes moving 360-degrees around you and be very conscious of where everyone is headed, most importantly, the skater skating a program.

[concorde]

Depending on the time, our freestyle sessions can have 25+ on the ice at any one time.  We also have some Junior/Senior level competitors in that 25 so it can be brutal!

[Loops]

Depending on the time, our freestyle sessions can have 25+ on the ice at any one time.  We also have some Junior/Senior level competitors in that 25 so it can be brutal!

Wow!!!!  Is that legal?  Sounds like a disaster/lawsuit waiting to happen.  Every rink I've ever skated at has sessions divided by skill level, and all are capped.  The higher the level the lower the number of skaters.

Tigerstein, like others have said, check with your coach.  IIr you were also recently considering joining a club.  It sounds like it might be time to consider it seriously.  Club sessions will cost you more, but as others have said, you'll have more time to focus on your skating.  Plus you'll get to know the other skaters and get into the community.

[fsk8r]

Depending on the time, our freestyle sessions can have 25+ on the ice at any one time.  We also have some Junior/Senior level competitors in that 25 so it can be brutal!

Sounds like my rink. Even the high level freestyle has high numbers like that on. Our biggest gripe is when skaters from a quiet rink come over as they don't have the ability to watch out for people quite as highly tuned as the locals.

[pegasus99]

Given that ice time is expensive, I try to do as much as I can on Public Sessions. They will typically clear out in Summer, but during the busy Winter months I'll use those crowded sessions to do things on the boards; new turns, body positions, etc. Grapevines are also a good activity on crowded publics. And doing new awkward moves seem less awkward when everybody's awkward. 

But yeah, when you start needing space, you have to pay for more space.

Best of luck!