Wednesday, September 25, 2013

I'm Learning How to Skate

     "Whoa," you say. "You post about skating often, so you skate."

      "Well, I sort of skate."

      I skate around the arena for an hour. I can turn ...sort of.  I can stop...sort of. It's a little like my bowling. I don't know how to keep score. I throw the balls and knock down some pins, but I don't know the proper technique.

    When I was a child I skated about four or five times a year. I had second hand skates that didn't fit. As a result I didn't learn to skate properly. I skated a bit with my kids. So most of my so called skating has been with the senior's group.

    I have asked two or three people to give me pointers on skating but they usually say, "You're doing all right."

    So in the back of my mind I thought of asking Bud for some tips. Bud has been a hockey coach and teacher. So the other day I asked Bud. Absolutely , he would work with me.

    "So," he said, "There are two things you have to learn: turning and putting the whole skate blade on the ice." This suggestion surprised me but once I got going it made sense.

    I had to consciously think about putting the whole skate blade on the ice. Once I did that many other things took place. First the constant tension in my legs disappeared. Second, I became much more stable and balance was not much of an issue. Third, it took much less effort to skate.  So one little change made a huge difference.

    Now turning takes technique and coordination. If you're turning left, you cross the right skate over the left skate. Now that sounds simple. If you've never done it it takes time. Once I learned to glide with the left skate while crossing the right skate over it became easier. Now I've got a long way to go but it's a step in the right direction.

   Now it took me a long time to ask Bud to show me some things about skating. So, adults are very hesitant about asking for help. I was a teacher and was used to giving out help rather than receiving help. So now I wish I had asked for some skating tips a long time ago. I'm improving my skating and it does wonders to one's self image. Why didn't I do this a long time ago?

35 comments:

  1. I never could get the hang of skating. Good for you!

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    1. Well, there's difference between a skater and a good skater. I'm just a skater.

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  2. You are certainly right about adults being hesitant to ask for help. It certainly paid off for you.

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    1. I guess we think we know it all. I do have those kids I ask for computer help!

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  3. Better late than never. It's amazing how learning a couple techniques make all the difference. I found that to be true with cross country skiing - taking a lesson was the best thing!

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    1. Yes , to the cross country skiing. Getting that kick glide together makes for great skiing.

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  4. I have only ever attempted to skate a couple of times in my life and both attempts ended in ignominy and bruises. My son skates a lot and plays Ice Hockey - I have no idea where he inherited the skill from.

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    1. Well, i don't think anybody is going to skate well the first time. Who knows? A couple more times and everything might have clicked.

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  5. That must be great to learn skating by a professional. Our kids did too in a skating class and they learned all the ins and outs. I never learned either and always just stumbled over the ice.....

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    1. But I thought all Dutch people were born skating! Hey, I read Hans Brinker and he was a great skater.

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  6. As my Mom always would say "You're never too old to learn - you're old when you stop asking questions" - she was a smart doll. Good for you Red - you're going to love having learned this.

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    1. I've heard your Mom's quote before. It makes a lot of sense.

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  7. Practice makes perfect. learning to stop took me two seasons I feel so often .I am better on ice than wheels.

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    1. If I was in a different situation with skaters moving all over the ice I would have to learn to stop properly. With this group we all skate around the arena in one direction.

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  8. Bud's advice is great! I'd never heard about putting the whole blade on the ice, but it makes sense. I bet you'll get better and better over time now that you got some tips.

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    1. Well, I hope I get better and better. It won't take much to make improvements at the level I skate at. any improvement is a big deal.

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  9. That's wonderful, Red. Better late than never, I am thinking. And yes, I know about how to turn on roller skates. It seems a bit dicier with ice skates, though. How to keep from hurting oneself if you get that blade where it doesn't belong. :-)

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    1. With the skate boots these days injuries from blades is non existent. Skate blades are flat on the bottom. However there are lots of other ways to get an owy.

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  10. how awesome! glad bud took a moment to show you some things. i've never ice skated in my life. i never did well on roller skates, either.

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    1. I have a feeling my lessons may continue for quite a whaie as he knows everything about skating.

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  11. Good for you! We're never too old to learn. I think it does get harder to ask for help, though. I've never tried ice skating. In my part of Virginia, there aren't a lot of place to ice skate. I tried roller skating when I was young, but I never got the hang of it.

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    1. We have five arenas for a town of 100000. there is also summer ice time.

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  12. Red, you were just worrying if it was getting too much to do some things when you were biking and you solved that and now look at you - learning to skate better! I've said it before - I admire your resolve to keep doing. Good for you Red!

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  13. Yay Red, I'm so proud of you and have this huge grin on my face, to ask for help learning anything can be intimidating, especially as we age... after all aren't we already supposed to know? lol Hats off to you, I'm totally excited for you to be learning how to glide across the ice. :-)

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  14. I've never even tried on a pair of ice skates so all I can say is more power to you for learning something new at this stage of the game.

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    1. It's difficult in your location to get skating opportunity.

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  15. Good for you Red asking question and for some help with it . My man won't ask for directions when driving ...it this a man thing LOL

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  16. Good for you. It's difficult enough to learn something the first time but even more so to re-learn how to do it.

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  17. I'm right there for not asking directions. I know I can find my way. I'm with your man!

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  18. I too have to work at learning. It is great if you can find someone to show you a technique. It's much better than reading about it.

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  19. I know exactly what you mean Red. It seems that I lost my touch also :-)


    Greetings from the Netherlands,
    dzjiedzjee.blogspot.com

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  20. I haven't skated in ages. What a great idea!

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  21. I have always been a lousy skater. But you're inspiring me to look into some lessons! I have a good pair of skates that need more use.

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