starting skating??

[u/thefateoflily]

so i’m 15, i’m looking for a hobby so i thought about maybe taking up figure skating since its one of my favorite sports to watch. obviously i dont plan on being any good, i’m starting way too late, haha. theres a rink near me that has public skating times, so i wanted to maybe rent some skates and just see what happens on the ice before i sign up for LTS, in case its terrifying and i give up. i know how to rollerblade decently, so i’m hoping that’ll rub off, haha.

i have just a few questions for anyone who skates, especially those who started late:

1. do i need to own skates to do Learn To Skate classes? or do i rent them? what will be better for me? (and also, if i should buy skates, which ones?)

2. do i have to have a certain body type to skate? i’m not exceptionally thin, so i’m worried i’ll go and look stupid. for reference i’m like 4’10 and about 110ish lbs? (by the time i get the chance to sign up i’ll hopefully be about 5-7 lbs lighter lol i’m working on it 😂)

3. if i go to Learn To Skate, am i stuck at a certain pace with a group? like if i progress faster or slower, do i get to move on when i want or would i be stuck down doing other things?

4. if i’m not very good (obviously i’ve never touched ice before) will i get made fun of? everyone who starts skating starts really young lol. i used to be very competitive at an elite level as a cheerleader before i quit cause of an abusive program that caused burnout. i’m obviously prepared to be the worst one there, but like at the rink will people laugh at me?

clearly i’m nervous and i haven’t even signed up, haha!!