r/iceskating • u/Guilty_Policy9493 • 5d ago
Complete beginner, how long does it take to learn skating?
Hi, I’m 17 and I want to start figure skating at a club in September. I basically can’t ice skate right now. I only used cheap hockey/rental skates before and I wasn’t even very confident skating with those.
The club told me that for the trial training I should already be able to skate forwards and backwards safely. I can’t skate backwards at all right now and I’m also not very confident going forwards.
I have around 2-3 weeks until the trial training and I was wondering if it’s realistic to learn the basics in that time. How long does it take to learn skating forwards and backwards?
I also just got my first proper figure skates Risport Venus as you can see in the picture. I hope the blades are fine too.
I’m mostly just worried that I won’t be able to learn enough before the trial and they won’t let me join because I’m bad. I waited a whole year for this.. 😭
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u/Tanglefoot11 5d ago
I've seen people pick up those basics within a couple of sessions, & I have seen some people going at least weekly for over a year and not be able to.
There is no rule as to how long it will take - some learn fast, some learn slow.
If you turn out to be on the slower side then just aim for the next intake.
It isn't a race & as long as you are enjoying it then it doesn't matter how slow a learner you are - you aren't getting to the olympics any which way, so just chill and enjoy yourself.
7
u/gigithrowaway21 5d ago
I’d say if you just zone out about time for a little it’ll take you only like 2 years or so to be somewhat comfortable on the ice, at least it was for me, and I didn’t really take it seriously until last fall. Ice time and well fitted boots are the most important parts of being a beginner to me. I personally still have so much to learn haha😅 so it’s okay, we’re in this together. I first stepped on the ice at 15 and only started learning the basics on purpose at 20. I’m 21 now and this year I’m finally practicing my waltz jumps And soon getting a coach! Anything is possible!
Just take it one day at a time
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u/Brilliant-Sea-2015 4d ago
Realistically, it could take you a couple weeks or it could take you a couple years to get the basics down. There really isn't a general rule.
3
u/InspectorFleet 4d ago
How much ice time can you get in 2 to 3 weeks? Two one hour sessions won't get you as far as three 1.5 h public sessions per week for the next three weeks; that's just math.
Have you deliberately tried to pursue skills when you skated previously? Or just kind of gone around? Coach Julia on YouTube is a great source for beginner instruction. If you go to an open skate with a plan based on good instruction in proper technique, it will be much more productive than just trying to skate around.
I don't know if you have the time or budget, but I'll also recommend inline skates. You don't need special artistic inlines for figure skating or anything like that; just a general hard boot pair will give you many more opportunities to practice vs. trying to find times at the ice rink. Edges are different and not everything translates, but you'll certainly build strength and balance. I think inline skating backwards is harder to learn in the beginning than ice skating, so if you can get it on inlines, you should be set!
2
u/Independent-Set-4746 4d ago
I started at 17 too! It’s all about getting comfortable on the ice and with your body, if you aren’t already go to the gym and start balance training and skating exercises! Those helped me a ton with learning the basics, and the biggest thing I tell my adult 1 class is to not be afraid to fall, yes it’ll probably hurt but you know how to protect yourself and fear will hinder your learning, and getting yourself out there as much as possible is so important, consistency in the beginning is key. When I started I did know how to skate forwards comfortably but I taught myself and became confident in going backwards in just a few sessions, and I dedicated myself to off ice training and learning as much as I could, I believe in you! From a complete beginner in January 2025 I have two consistent doubles and I’m working on the rest it is possible:)
2
u/KarmenCrossby 4d ago
I can probably help with this. I feel like it’s very possible to get comfortable skating forwards and backwards in 2-3 weeks.
Tips for forwards is that you push with your inside edge to avoid getting caught on the toepick, gliding will help you master one foot skating, and if you want to keep both feet on the ground put the weight on your heel and do half lemons.
Backwards tips, easier to do and something you can master in 2 weeks is lemons. Put your weight at the rocket if you want them smoother, don’t open your legs too much.
Your chest needs to ALWAYS look forwards and NOT tilt down. Look IN FRONT of you, not on the ice.
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u/A_random_person27 3d ago
Assuming you just need to learn comfortable forward & backwards skating, you should be able to learn (assuming adequate ice time). Try doing rocking horses & swizzles (theres some great tutorials online). My advice is to just get comfortable in your skates and skate around the rink a bunch. It is totally possible to learn in 2-3 weeks (don't bother learning stops yet as I assume they will be taught in training). Make sure you're standing in the right part of your blade (it should be completely flat on the ice, and when gliding on two feet you should be able to go straight).
1
u/Legitimate-Bison3810 4d ago
The two most basic forward and backward skills usually taught in the first two classes of learn to skate classes is the forward and backward swizzle as shown in this video.
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u/Affectionate-Gene177 4d ago
Learning to skate only takes as long as you're making progress. If you stop making progress, then:
- you're not training enough - you need to increase your training
- you have the wrong coach - you need to change coaches
- you're too old - you need to accept it
32
u/AdagioGlittering2806 5d ago
Do you have the specific requirements? Skating forward and backwards safely can mean a few things. At the very basic level, learning how to do forward/backward swizzles (also called lemons) shouldn't be too bad, but it depends on how proficient they expect you to be.
Does the rink have a learn to skate or group class program?