Problem practicing at public sessions?

[mmady16]

So basically, it's become impossible to practice at public sessions. I'm only in Basic 2, but am fifteen and would like to progress at a good pace. I have one group lesson a week that is half an hour warm up, half an hour lesson, and half an hour practice, but this really isn't enough. Not to mention public sessions are only weekends and that is the worst time for me. They're always packed which means I can not practice three-turns or any backwards skills. It's frustrating. Private lessons are off the table because not only are they a dollar a minute, but I must also pay for ice time which is 11 more dollars. I am paying for a school trip and only work part time, so it is impossible for me to spend any extra money and I don't want to ask my parents for that. I was thinking about possible attending freestyle sessions, but my rinks website says that these are only for "serious, competitive skaters and for when coaches are coaching". I don't know what to do. I hope sessions clear out during the summer months, but I doubt it. Should I just work with what I've got or continue trying to work with public sessions? It's so frustrating.

[AgnesNitt]

Welcome to the club.

It's like this for most of us.

It's summer and many rinks have evening publics one night a week so you could see if your rink is one of those. Also your rink might have summer day sessions after school is out.

If you have a private coach you could get on freestyle with that coach, but you might not be able to skate on freestyle once your lesson ends.

Ask your group coach for suggestions.

[mamabear]

It can definitely be a challenge-does your rink identify any specific area for practicing figure skating?  Ours has 4 cones and while they don't really stop people from being in the middle the longer I've skated the more comfortable I've become with claiming that space.

I don't know about other rinks but at ours-we're reaching the tail end of the really busy time.  The number of people on public sessions decreases dramatically in the summer. 

[Neverdull44]

Our rink uses cones too on public sessions. 

I encourage you to do freestyle sessions.  Freestyle sessions are divided into 'high' and 'regular'.  Regular would include anyone, and especially someone from the group lesson class working on three turns as that isn't beginner.  That begin said, if you do a freestyle session there are 'busier' areas of the ice.  Stay away from the lutz corners if you are a newbie.  Be conscious of skaters who are practicing a program (you will hear their music play and some rinks have them wear a bright safety vest) and those in lessons as they have the right of way.

Public sessions during the summer can be filled with kids at camp.  School busloads of kids who don't skate, camp counselors who can't put on skates right, . .. . oh, I hate summer worse than the winter/holiday rush at the skating rink!

[mmady16]

I'd like to try out Freestyle sessions, but as mentioned, my rinks site states they are only for serious skaters. I'll copy and paste it here,

"FAQ: I saw that you have "freestyle" ice times.  Can anyone attend these sessions?                 
       The freestyle sessions are 45 minute sessions that are typically for the serious ice skater that is competing.  It is not a public ice skating sessions.  This is the time where the ice skating pros give private lessons to the more serious skater."

Should I try and contact my rink about what the qualifications for these sessions are? It says 'typically' so I may possible be able to attend.

My rink doesn't do cones, and my instructor has already mentioned how they get buses of kids. Oh god, this summer should be interesting. I'm not excited.

[PhysicsOnIce]

The way I read the use of typically is  "We expect people to be practising figure skating elements. Not just skating around in circle hugging the wall for dear life". Some rinks divide their sessions into high and low levels for safety, which means that skaters typically working on entry level jump, spins and elements are kept on a different session than skaters doing double and triple jumps, flying spins and elaborate footwork sequences.  I don't know what elements Basic 2 consists of but if you are practising things like backward crossover figure 8's for example, or backward spirals or even three turns and edges, this should definitively qualify you for a low level freestyle session. Just keep in mind that Freestyle sessions will be generally more expensive than public sessions.

But overall, I definitively think it is worth asking your rink if you qualify for their freestyle session.

[Neverdull44]

I would ask a coach who teaches your group lessons.   But, I've skated at several rinks and people doing backwards crossovers & three turns would fit in fine with a freestyle session.  I really think they are trying to discourage the first time person in rental skates.  Just remember that there are certain places on the freestyle ice where it is easier to do the beginning moves.  Freestyle skaters have the entire rink to do any element of figure skating.  But, they normally set up a pattern.

[Loops]

I agree with the previous two posters- that FAQ response is aimed at informing the general public that it is different and not a public session.  I think you qualify as a "serious ice skater" even though you are not competing; you are practicing skills that a competing skater would, and that's more to the point.  And you should be just fine on a low-test session.  Every rink/club will have a different definition of "low-test" vs "high-test", so there might be some doubles happening even on a low test session, but you should be fine.

It will be more expensive though- depending on how the ice time is organised, you may also need to join the club to access the session.  My rink growing up had club freestyle and city freestyle (where the city purchased the ice).  Anyone qualified could sign up for the city sessions, but you had to be a club member for the club ice.

In any case, it will be money better spent since you will be able to actually practice your stuff and not play human dodge ball with the public.

[Clarice]

I'm not trying to discourage you from using a freestyle session.  Just keep in mind that there will be faster skaters on that session, jumping, and going every which way (not just skating around in circles like public session).  If you're going to be out there, make sure that you can skate fast enough and stop quickly enough so that you don't become the hazard.  Maybe watch a session or two.  Ask a coach to inform you about the right-of-way expectations of a freestyle.  If there's a session that's more lightly attended than others, that might be a good one for you to start out on.  Once you're out there, the big thing to remember is to keep moving and don't "camp out" in one place on the ice.  At first in can be a little intimidating, but stick with it and you'll feel more comfortable very quickly.  Good luck!  Everybody was a freestyle newbie once upon a time!

[Gabby on Ice]

Just a warning- freestyle sessions are more expensive than public sessions. Also, depending on where you skate, you might have to be a certain level to skate on a freestyle. Like, at my rink, you have to be in Freeskate 1 or higher. I'm landing salchows and toe loops (working on loop), and I only go to freestyle if I'm having a lesson and/or I can't make it to a public session. If you want to go to freestyle because the public sessions are so crowded, then don't go at popular times. Just remember that people in a lesson have the right-of-way, as do people running their program.

[dlbritton]

My rink states you have to be Basic 4 and above or be in a lesson to use freestyle time. Not sure about the Adult level - I assume 4 and above as well.
Some of the freestyle time is "leased" by the local figure skating club so you pay them directly for ice time.

[mmady16]

Freestyle sessions are $11 dollars for 45 min or $105 for ten 45 min sessions.  It's not too much more the public skate. I'll contact my rink and see what the qualifications are. Thanks guys!

[Rachelsk8s]

Freestyle sessions are $11 dollars for 45 min or $105 for ten 45 min sessions.  It's not too much more the public skate. I'll contact my rink and see what the qualifications are. Thanks guys!

Wow!! I can only dream of paying $11 per freestyle session. I typically spend $18-$20 per session, and usually skate 2 sessions.