Learning to Ice Skate.

[P.G.F.I.]

I been thinking about doing an Skate UK course at the NIC, has anyone done the course here, and was it any good?

Also is it best to get your own skates or use there billyboot skates ( ;d ) ?

[charlish2099]

if you are going to skate a lot or play hockey, buy your own, saves money in the long run as you wont have to rent but also means you get used to your own skates which has helped me no end.

I got some RBK 3K's and i love them.

[BJ]

I did skate UK courses before I started playing. A good confidence giver to get you going. I recommend own skates, but the billy blues will do.

Once you start playing you have to forget the 'left-together-right-together' Skate UK style and re-teach yourself to move faster, a good coach will help you there (give Rich a shout when you're ready )

[heja]

bj said:

I did skate UK courses before I started playing. A good confidence giver to get you going. I recommend own skates, but the billy blues will do.

Once you start playing you have to forget the 'left-together-right-together' Skate UK style and re-teach yourself to move faster, a good coach will help you there (give Rich a shout when you're ready )

I don't know a good coach called rich haha (sorry rich)

i would say definitly get your own skates, you get use to a certain type of skate, probably try on different makes as well, as I can't stand bauer skates but I love CCM skates.

i never did a skate UK course or any skate course, i just taught my self pretty much, and i wouldn't say i'm a bad skater

[Rich]

Id say you were Heja

Good advice from the guys, id defo say go for the "own skates" if your definatly going to follow it through, if your an average size get on ebay and buy some 2nd hand, even if just temporarily!

[P.G.F.I.]

Thanks for all your help.

I'm thinking about getting into hockey, but not a very good skater so i'l think i will do the skate uk course and get some skates and see where it takes me.

Does it matter which brand skates you have?

[loonypeter]

panthersgoforit said:

Thanks for all your help.

I'm thinking about getting into hockey, but not a very good skater so i'l think i will do the skate uk course and get some skates and see where it takes me.

Does it matter which brand skates you have?

If it helps, when i bought my skates at puckstop in sheffield the assistant told me that if you're buying lower end skates (ie not 100's of £) then CCM are the best to go for.

I got a pair of CCM's and they've served me well

[P.G.F.I.]

Thanks.

I was thinking about getting CCMs but theres so many.

[Chickun]

I pretty much taught myself aswell. I've got CCM vector 2s. Got 'em for about £55 i think from the hockey shop across the road from the NIC and find them very comfortable.

[ted]

i got some size 9 bauers for sale! well worth getting your own skates.

Never did skate UK but I have always been a rollerblader so transition to ice was natural.

Unfortunately i got a few bad habits with my pivots and skating style. Easier to learn without them than to re teach yourself at a later date Im finding

[fluffyfred]

Definately getting your own skates is better, the blades on hire skates aren't always sharp enough so I find they are more difficult to control.

Although I haven't been skating for a while due to injury, I find that having my own skates help. I don't play hockey or anything so just got myself some recreational skates. They are CCM, I think the style is called Sureform and they cost me about £60 from prolineskates.com. They are very comfortable to wear as well.

[Cooke#19]

Droo,

I did Skate UK up to Grade 10 before starting hockey, however it's only upto grade 4/5 you'd need to go in order to then do speed skating or hockey. Generally it's more convenient to have your own skates as billy blues don't support the ankle very much, but they would be ok if you were just wanting to try grade 1 to see how it went, then you could go from there.


Becky

[Lucy]

I am (with a few more over 50's) learning to ice skate - so I'll let you know how we get on.

When asked whether we wanted an ice skating coach or hockey coach, we just asked for one who would help us stay upright ;D

[oldy]

on the whole CCM skate thing... i had a pair of vector 90ZG (t blades) and after less than 6 months all the support had gone on the ankles! but they were the cheapest in the shop. im now on nike/bauers and they feel alot more steady!

[smart6]

lucy said:

I am (with a few more over 50's) learning to ice skate - so I'll let you know how we get on.

When asked whether we wanted an ice skating coach or hockey coach, we just asked for one who would help us stay upright ;D

And have they helped you to stay upright?
We too are over 50's (soon be able to use the bus pass) and about to learn to skate managed to learn to ski when over 50 but the snow was soft

Old is the new young ;D

[Deleted]

I agree with everyone who says get your own skates, you should find them so much more comfortable & can keep the blades nice and sharp...

I started off teaching myself to skate, but then started Skate UK, I only went to level 5 but that was sufficient to get me stopping (ish) and using my edges, I'm a lot more confident now (although still not an amazing skater) but you need to remember that Skate UK will teach you figure skating & it's different to how you'd skate playing hockey!! Having said that I do think it's worth taking some lessons...?

[Louisa]

To anyone out there learning to skate. Take lessons. Take figure skating lessons.

Figure skaters make the best hockey players. Why? In order to maximise your hockey, you need to be fast, powerful, agile, and technique is soooo important. Yes, I agree you wont be doing spins and jumps, but think about transitions, jumping over fallen players, tight turns, efficiency in your stride, all these can be learnt and taught by figure skaters.

The NHL teams employ figure skaters to teach power skating. Learn to skate the proper way - figure skating. I have my grade 10 and I've been complimented many times for my skating (my hockey is questionable) but at least I can get to the puck first!!!