Ice skating is not for the faint of heart. With Winter Wonderland now set up in town, it seems important that someone explains how to ice skate for those that have never done it before. There’s definitely a particular friend of mine that would have benefitted from this guide this time last year.
Tip #1– Slow and Steady Wins the Race!
Don’t rush into skating expecting to be the next Torvill or Dean. It’s not something that many people grasp instantly, so remember to take it slow! Hug the railings around the side of the rink, letting go so you can learn how to balance yourself. If you try too hard to do complicated tricks, you’ll end up hugging the cold ice floor beneath you.
Tip #2 – Simple Movements.
The key to skating is keeping it simple. The best way for beginners to learn is to do a sort-of-march in your skates, keeping your feet slightly pointing away from one another. If you think you look like a waddling penguin, you are probably doing it right.
Tip #3 – Dress to Impress.
While Anna Wintour is unlikely to be watching you ice skate, what you wear is extremely important to both your success and your enjoyment. Wrap up warm and make sure to wear long sleeves and gloves to cushion any fall you may have! There’s few things worse than falling on an ice rink with no gloves on. Your hands will get cold and wet, and unless you have a towel handy, you will be forced to dry them on your own clothes. Not ideal.
Tip #4 – Don’t be Afraid to Fall.
Another key part of ice-skating is not being afraid to fall over. Everyone does it and I would argue it’s actually a key part of learning to ice-skate. Sometimes an aversion to falling can actually make it more painful when it inevitably happens. Hitting the ice isn’t painful if you can put your hands out to break your fall.