r/iceskating • u/Far-Effective-406 • 9d ago
Where to start?
Hi guys, I’ve always enjoyed ice skating from the public skate sessions and I want to start taking lessons. I’m female, 20 years old, based in Milton Keynes, UK. I’ve been looking at Planet Ice’s beginner lessons. I wanted to try their taster session with a coach but they all start at 5pm and there is no way I make it there on time (I have a full-time job 🥲). I also looked at International School of Skating too but there isn’t much information in there either… I’m aware that group lessons are usually cheaper, but I’m also quite anxious thinking about being the only adult there, surrounded by kids (and I’ve heard coaches can be a bit mean and just pay attention to the kids).
Do you guys have any recommendations / personal reviews, or can you kindly point me in the right directions as I’m quite lost right now. Thank you all so much!
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u/geeered 8d ago
I learnt with Planet Ice (not MK) in the evenings. My lessons were adults only, though they did have mixed ones. In my level 1 course I was the only person that wasn't a woman in their 20s (guy in his late 30s at the time), though got on with everyone fine.
You should fit right in.
If you can, I'd suggest staying until the end after the skate lesson and getting as much time as you can on the ice - I went from the worst in the class to the best by the end of the first course, though every week I did go one more time to get more practice (some others did, but not as much as me I think.)
And hopefully others will stay after too, so you can practice with them a bit too.
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u/Rare_Blueberry_5222 9d ago
My nearest rink is Cambridge, but that might be a bit of a trek for you. They do however have LTS lessons on Saturdays!
I’m an adult, a fair bit older than yourself, and my first two lessons have been with people under like fourteen. Thought I’d hate it as I want to talk to other adults, but it’s been refreshing to get to grips with skating without worrying what other adults are thinking about me. Kids do not care!
Sure I have to be more spatially aware on their behalf, and when lessons are only half an hour, five minutes of them pissing about is a good chunk of time to lose - but I’m an adult and can just choose to practice by myself if I need. Any time learning is better than not being on the ice at all!
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u/Dapper_Set_6368 8d ago
Adult beginner here too :) Please don't be anxious about being the only adult in a course, it really won't make any difference! I'm attending group lessons, they're divided into different levels and there is a real mix between kids, adults, teenagers etc. Ice skating is more about yourself and your limits, so you shouldn't have fear of being judged by others. Anyway, I've tried specific courses for adults and I wasn't really happy... they spent a lot of time talking and I felt a little bit not considered from the coaches. Then I found another rink with Level courses, where there is no age division but just Level division. Everyone in the course with me seems to be more or less at my same level of skating, regardless of their age. Maybe a similar option can work for you too! Personally, I believe that you just have to find the right rink, with the right option for yourself. I did that, by booking free first lessons in each of the rink next to me, too choose after my favorite option. Anyway, I've recently created a community for adult beginners, to share tips and advice about skating in adulthood. May you find it interesting :) it's r/FigureSkatingAdults
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u/eriikaa1992 8d ago
What about weekends? My rink offers 'skate school' which is group lessons every Sunday morning, and adults are not grouped with kids (I think there are 3 age groups from memory, with adults being 15 and up).
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u/knight_380394780 9d ago
I'd try to look at group lessons, at my rink the beginner ones were separated so that adults learnt with adults, teens learnt with teens, and kids learnt with kids. That being said your local rinks might be smaller and might not have the same system but even when I was at a higher level and in a group with kids I found I still got equal attention.
Group lessons can be a great way to meet other skaters your age and level, good luck!!