Taking to the Ice

First and foremost, be warm, comfortable and dress for safety. That adds up to layering your clothing, wearing gloves and choosing socks that reach higher than the boot but which are not too thick. Thick socks may not only alter your balance but they can make your feet sweat and, ultimately, your feet will be colder. Try to avoid clothing like jeans which can soak up any water on the ice and make sure that clothing allows movement.

Generally speaking, figure skates are designed to help you jump and spin, whilst hockey skates are for those who want to go fast, turn often and stop quickly. Of course, none of this is possible if you haven’t mastered maintaining your posture, your balance and being able to stop. Both skates are fine for a beginner (although it is easier to balance on the longer blade of a figure skate and you may learn to skate more quickly) so decide which type of ice skating you are going to be doing and select your skate accordingly.

Skates should be snug but not tight, and allow you to wriggle your toes. You should always try your usual size and one size larger to see which feels more comfortable. Lace them up so that your ankle is supported (but can still be bent) and your feet are able to move and feel comfortable. You don’t want the laces adding to the risk of a fall by coming undone, so tie with a double knot and tuck the ends into the top of the skate.

This is exercise and, like all sports, you will benefit from a warm up, moving your back, neck and shoulders and stretching your legs. Injury is less likely if the body is ready and a deep breath before stepping onto the ice will help you to relax. When skating with children it is tempting to hold hands but, as hard as it will be for you, they really do need to find their balance on their own. Be ready to catch them but try to let them skate on their own. Helmets are a good idea and skating aids are available at most rinks but, if a child has to bend over to hold one, their balance will be lost and they will be better off holding the barrier. If they fall over and aren’t hurt be sure to have a good laugh, help to pick them up, and start all over again.

Join the rink in the same direction as the other skaters, staying close to and holding onto the barrier until you feel you are balancing and are ready to let go. At that point, remember that the barrier is still your best friend so stay close, keeping your skates apart about the same width as your shoulders, with your feet either pointing forward or toes slightly opened out. Now comes the tricky bit. Your body weight needs to move from one foot to the other, so go gently, with a slight forward motion and no giant movements. Think penguin and you will soon be on your way. Looking down can ruin all this balance so make sure you look straight ahead to where you want to go. Whilst you keep your head up, bend your knees to help keep that balance and maintain control. Opening your feet will produce the first push and glide and you are on your way. Now you need to know how to stop. With your feet straight and your knees bent, turn each foot inwards with your toes and push out from the middle of your feet. Don’t look down or lean forward

and you will come to a gradual stop. Try this out at the barrier first as suddenly becoming stationery on the ice can lead to a fall.

If you are set for a fall and are on the way down. the advice we found is to try not to use your hands to break the fall but, instead, fall onto your side. You can also lessen the impact by bending your elbows and knees and tucking your head and chin into your chest. Now to stand up! Making fists with your hands, place them on the ice. Move into a kneeling position and position one of your blades on the ice between your hands. Push and lift the other leg, keeping your knees bent until you have regained your balance. Just keep going and enjoy!

This article is intended for advice purposes only. Please take care.