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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be scared to go ice skating?

60 replies

Babababababybel23 · 21/12/2017 18:32

I don't know why. We want to do something Christmassy this year so we have decided to take dss. We can't all do it as someone needs to look after 3 month old dd. Dh said he wont do it in case he hurts his back. I have never been before and the thought of it is terrifying me. I don't want to leave dss on his own though

OP posts:

lampygirl · 21/12/2017 19:38

Basically no rinks give you a choice of skates, and I've been to a lot. They are also all blunt. I find hockey skates massively easier to skate in, easier to turn and stop, but when you are in them several times a week for 20 years you probably become accustomed to what you wear.

To be honest, you'll probably get big blue buckets which are more like a ski boot than anything else

slightlyglittermaned · 21/12/2017 19:39

It'll be fine. Promise yourself a mulled wine/hot choc afterwards - your DSS is old enough that if you retire to spectatorhood after a short period he won't mind

Unihorn · 21/12/2017 19:41

Pop up rinks' skates are blunt and shit (as is the ice) so I highly doubt there is a risk of fingers coming off! just stick to the side of the rink.

PurplePillowCase · 21/12/2017 19:43

you will be fine

and do try to go away from the side, the ice is much less bumpy and you are less likely to trip.
try not to hold hands with anyone, that's how accidents happen.

RestingGrinchFace · 21/12/2017 19:43

Have you ever been skiing/rollerblading? Same principle. If not the easiest way to do it (although it is incorrrect) is to position your feet as a v shape with toes pointing outwards then push back/away with one foot while sliding along on the other. Then put the foot that you pushed with infront againfacing slightly outwards and push with the other foot.

Weedsnseeds1 · 22/12/2017 10:37

I remember years ago being at the rink in our local city ( long since closed down). The whistle went, panicked tannoy announcement for everyone to clear the ice, first aiders rushing to the huge pool of red in the middle of the rink.
Someone had dropped a Slush Puppie

MargoLovebutter · 22/12/2017 10:41

I'm fairly hopeless but it is great fun. My tips:

Don't wear jeans as they are really horrible when they get wet.
Hire a penguin.
Lean forwards and press downwards on your boots, do not try to take steps.
Wear gloves.
Accept that you will fall over, but don't worry about it.

Rebeccaslicker · 22/12/2017 10:43

My DB was really good at ice skating when I was little. We went to pick him up - and right in front of me some poor sod (but stupidly not wearing gloves) fell over and someone else skated right over his hand. That put me off for years!

In fact it's quite good fun, even if you do just hang onto the side for some of it. I'd give it a go, OP. If you hate it, you can always clump off for a !

(I AM going to make sure DD has a few lessons when she's older though. Wish I'd been able to do it well!)

UrgentScurryfunge · 22/12/2017 10:50

It's the kind of thing I do for an hour every couple of years, but I'm competent enough to skate in circles for an hour, and peel fallen Brownies off the ice without falling over.

My only bug bear is that my high, bony arches do not like being crushed into generic footwear!

Keep the ankles snug for support to stop wobbling. Squat slightly. Push forward a little one foot at a time.

It is scary letting go off the side, but actually easier. The side is crowded with people shuffling around in each other's way. Most Brownies fall when they have a wobble and grab for the non-moving side. Trust your balance. You can normally self correct with some dignity in tact.

I did end up being the only leader actually skating. Most were too pregnant/ injured/ just don't do activities any more. Another stood wearing crampons (she got cold and bored). Parents had to be drafted in!

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 22/12/2017 12:05

As someone who used to go weekly in my teens and became quite confident, my top tip is...

...don't do it, get someone else to take the kids. When you fall over, and you will, it hurts. Even if just about save yourself from falling it still hurts when all your muscles tense up. I honestly don't see the appeal with this broken limb waiting to happen pass time. If you do go, book the chiroproactor for the following day and stock up with painkillers and arnica. Mind you, we didn't have penguins (whatever they are) in my day, we just took our life in our hands

FrancisCrawford · 22/12/2017 12:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Animation86 · 22/12/2017 12:44

You will be fine!!

I've only every done ice skating perhaps 4 times in my life and manage to pick it up fine. DH has only every been twice and hes improving - and we laugh and laugh!

Wear thick/double socks - ive ended up with blisters each time lol

thenightsky · 22/12/2017 12:53

I'm the type who hangs onto garden fences and shuffles along when the pavements are icy.

I cannot imagine anything worse than deliberately stepping on ice wearing slippery metal shoes.

lizabes · 22/12/2017 12:59

You’ll be fine.
I don’t know if anybody else has already said but my only advice is to try and stay as upright as possible and if you do fall try and let go of the barrier.
Also wear gloves.

IllHaveALargeGlassOfRed · 22/12/2017 13:06

Don't do it!! I did and broke my arm falling on the ice. Badly. Plates and pins and a wonky arm is what I ended up with! I'm now terrified and can't even watch it on the telly!

hevonbu · 22/12/2017 13:14

Skating is fun, but remember to tie the shoes hard, no loose fit. Gloves of course. Bend your knees a little for better balance. Lean forward. Don't be ashamed if you find yourself skating like a toddler first, not lifting your feet and small, small steps.

aintnothinbutagstring · 22/12/2017 13:18

My dd does lessons and can whizz round super fast, she wants me to go with her so she try out her new skates but I know I'll just be clutching onto the side. Dd started off learning how to 'march' on the ice, getting up from falling and knowing how to stop are also vital skills! Yes to no choice of hired boot, its big, clumpy blue skates with straps or laces, straps are quicker.

phoenix1973 · 22/12/2017 13:19

I've taken dd this year and it went well. However, the amount of kids pushing seals and penguins at high speed was concerning. I was more worried about them wiping me out than me falling over.

aintnothinbutagstring · 22/12/2017 13:21

Pop up rinks, well speaking for our town, are usually not real ice, so may not be as bad to fall on or the risk of falling may be less.

NorbertTheDragon · 22/12/2017 13:36

I've been a few times. I tend to cling on to the sides and go round slowly. Then just as I've got used to it and let got for a bit the session is over!

fortifiedwithtea · 22/12/2017 13:40

You know real skaters call blue hire boots "Death Wellies" And yes they will be blunt.

The pick is NOT for stopping don't do it. You Tube snow plough stop.

Don't wear jeans they restrict your movement and are very cold and uncomfortable when wet. Wear stretchy leggings and gloves.

Keep your knees bent and push your weight into your heels. The part of the blade that is under the ball of your foot is the rocker (the curve sweet spot that figure skaters spin on)

Do small marching steps. Be prepared to fall a lot and get up on your hands and knees.

Hire boots fit nobody so wear plasters on your heels and ankles before you start. Do lace the boots tight around the ankles. I disagree with advice to wear 2 pairs of thick socks the movement of the fabrics cause rubbing and blisters. My daughter wears thin figure skating tights .

BTW I'm a figure skater's mum and wild horses wouldn't get me on ice Good luck

Original poster

Babababababybel23 · 22/12/2017 13:47

These comments are helping massively, especially the arm breaking one

OP posts:

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 22/12/2017 13:51

Having moved to Canada seven years ago I thought I’d learn to skate. Booked an adult beginner class. We spent the first few lessons learning to fall correctly and stopping. After a few lessons I was happily skating lengthways in the centre of the Ice. Getting off the rink I was feeling happy. And then I slipped.
I broke my wrist. Haven’t skated since.

PuppyMonkey · 22/12/2017 13:52

... whispers.... I didn't break my arm but I did break my wrist ice skating. It's the classic injury apparently. You try to break your fall as you go arse over. Sorry OP. I went regularly as a child too so wasn't a novice.

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 22/12/2017 13:58

I hadn't been since I was a teenager, then went with the kids a couple of years ago- great fun! Was a bit wobbly but managed not to fall. Really enjoyed the feeling of moving on the ice once i got the hang of it again! Try to relax and don't be self concious. Yes, there will be lots of show offs good skaters whizzing around, but I bet you will see lots of folk like yourself stumbling around the edges! You might really enjoy it!

I do remember once when I was younger going out and being suddenly unable to skate/stand up at all, turned out I'd forgotten to take the plastic guards off my blades!!

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