How to ice skate?

[tammyBEARinggifts]

Me and dp are hoping to go on Thursday, we went last Tuesday but that was a bit of a disaster and the last time I went ice skating I was 13 and I cant remember how I use to do it and I wasnt particularly brilliant at it, but I wasnt always on my arse so how's best to do it? Everyone makes it look so easy. Thanks xxx

[codswallop]

dh used to play ice hoickey prefessionally, he is very good
I am crap!
he was sying that he was better than davud seamn on strictly ice dancing, but he woudl have looked awful itn eh suit

[MrsBigDrumsADrumming]

hi there, the trick with ice scating is that if you feel like your feet are about to get away from you... stick your bum out! not very stylish I know, but it avoids the slam bang icy backside

[littledrummerbird]

I've found the best way is just to take it very slowly. Don't worry if you have to hold on to the wall/railings most of the way around. Also, I've always been told to lace up skating boots as tight as possible to give maximum ankle support. Must say that my iceskating adventures have usually been cut short by aching ankles, so don't think I've mastered the physical stamina part of it yet. Have fun!

[Demented]

Practise, practise, practise! When Torville and Dean were in their heyday (?) I had lessons, once you've got it it's like riding a bike, you never forget. Must say I can't remember how to do any fancy stuff just staying upright and skating backwards!

[soapboxingday]

Ah well - staying upright and skating backwards sounds pretty fancy to me

[OhTickleTownofBethlehem]

look straight ahead! there is a lot of weight in your head apparently (brains???) so affects balance considerably. good luck!

[tammyBEARinggifts]

thanks girls, well i did manage to do a bit, not a lot, but went round i think twice before someone skated into me, then i lost all confidence really after that although i did go round again but hated it. so want to try and go again with confidence and a better idea of what im doing

[biglips]

do cartwheels, and then a flip in the air!.... ha ha ha!, no only joking, pls do not try that!, best to hold onto the wall/railings for abit and then bit by bit take your hand off the wall/railing then towards the end you should be skating as a pro !

[WellieMum]

Try:
heels together and toes pointing out, knees bent, bum stuck out, and glide forwards in little steps (keeping your toes pointing out).

Unfortunately I never learned to stop so I can't help you there

Have fun!

[tigermoth]

How do you skate backwards? I would love to do this. Can skate inelegantly forwards but that's all.

[LIZS]

Practice walking gently on the ice then gradually try to stand on each foot for a little longer so that you glide a bit. Take few steps and then glide on 2feet with weight spread across both feet evenly.

To corner put one foot slightly ahead of the other and tilt your weight inwards so that you go onto the edge of the blade.

To stop you have a choice. Either stand on one foot and put the other behind at right angles( to form a T) and skid it along with a little pressure on it but most weight on the standing foot. Or put weight more onto one foot on an inside edge so you turn around and stand onto the toe rakes if need be.

Never really mastered going bakcwards but if you turn around and make small arcs with each foot you can get a lttle momentum going.

Had hoped to go skating this week with the kids but have hurt back so probably not the best thing to do.

[Demented]

Can slightly hijack the thread a moment. Does anyone know if a 2 1/2 year old would manage a short spell ice skating? They usually have those little double blade skates but would he be too young? They've opened one of those outdoor skating rinks locally for the holiday and I thought I might take the DSs.

[LIZS]

It is certainly possible. We took dd last winter aged between 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 and she was ok for a very short while. Unfortunately by the time we'd got all hired and kitted up she had rather lost enthusiasm. This was outside and have to admit on each occasion it was both cold and damp so could hardly blame her. We also get push along frames for toddlers out here but you have to pay extra usually. I'd recommend having extra pairs of hands and an indoors area or cafe nearby so that someone can beat a hasty retreat if needs be !

[Demented]

Thanks LIZS, might give it a go, DH has broken his foot and is due to get the plaster off later this week so he could come with us and take DS2 away after a little while if he has had enough, I don't think DH will be up for too long (if at all) on the ice with his recovering foot.