Ice skating cross training

notworthstalking

Yesterday my 8 yearold went to an ice skating party and went on the ice for the first time and did much better then we expected. She was actually one of the last party guests on the ice and naturally wants to go again. We want to encourage this as normally she is one of those kids who gets discouraged if she falls over, still can't ride a bike yet, I guess generally unco. She does however have a really good base (any aikido peeps might understand that term) and super strong legs for a skinny kid. Anyway I was so proud of how she kept getting up again after some impressive falls, even getting a scratch in the neck from another persons skate blade (she is okay) . She can now skate slowly away from the walls.

Now we are in Australia and our city has two rinks. We will be trying to get to go again, but money is an issue. She has had roller skates before, but didn't really take to them. I am trying to convince her that getting a new pair for at home will help her build up her muscles in between ice world visits. I was wonder if anyone more experienced with skating can help. What would be better, roller blades, or traditional skates? I think they cost around the same. Would off ice skating help her on the ice, as type of cross training?

Unfortunately we can't afford lessons , or even regular visits, but as she loved it so much I would really like to try and encourage her with this.

machinistgoalie

Hello there-

I was surprised and thrilled to hear that you have not only one, but two ice rinks in your area! That is outstanding, even here in the states, sometimes (ice) rinks are few and far between, depending on locale and cultural interests. The expected areas have rinks (north/eastern US), but there are also some surprising locations that have an ice rink/hockey culture, such as Southern California, and Dallas Texas.

I work part time at my local rink and coach hockey, so I thought I could give you some insight and answers to help you guys out.

But I digress, to answer your question directly: there are a few options for your daughter. I've found ice skating to be easier than roller skating. Ice skates have a dual edge on the blades to help grip in the ice. One can "dig" in and use them to stop, turn sharply, etc. Roller skates wheels when used on a smooth hard surface like a roller rink surface, don't have much in the way for grip as it's two smooth surfaces, with no mechanical means of stopping on the edge. (the toe stopper notwithstanding)

That said, if she has limited access to the ice surface, and she's taken a liking to it, I'd get the inline blades. They will balance more closely to an ice skate. She will learn to get used to the linear layout of the blade, and learn to pitch her body to keep balance in that configuration. She can learn that part of it off ice. Once on ice, that is where learning edge control, and getting the feel for the characteristics of the ice. How it's forgiving in some ways, and in others not. I hope all of that makes some sort of sense for you. But if she's learns the balance part of it off ice, on her roller blades, then she only has one issue to tackle once she get to the ice, that is learning edge control. It eliminates one less area of concern for her out there.

There is also, at an expense, (sadly, everything is nowadays) there is a such a thing called synthetic ice. It is nothing more than solid sheets of plastic, much like one of those white cutting boards found in kitchens, that can be used to practice ice skating on. It quickly dulls your blades, but if you get the right kind (there are literally 100's of different kids of plastic, I am a fabricator and machinist, so won't bore you with technical jargon), or buy a sheet from a distributor who sells the actual product synthetic ice, she could practice at home on it, and thus learn edge work as well. She would wear ice skates on this surface, to be clear.

I'd simply just start with a pair of inline skates, let her have at it, see how she likes it and go from there. Be sure to get a helmet and maybe some hard shell kneepads. And if you do wind up getting a pair of ice skates, or rent them again at the rink, make sure they are sharpened and have a nice sturdy boot. I've seen far too many people have a horrible first experience on ice due to those factors. The skates should do all the ankle supporting, there's enough to try and learn, let alone on dull blades and floppy boots on the skates.

It's great exercise, utilizing not only legs, but core as well. It's very fulfilling, as progress is evident in just short amount of time for most people who apply themselves to it. I hope some of this can be useful to you, have fun, and if there's anything else, please just ask!

Alisontheice

I'll send you a PM. I know a bit about this subject