Anyone not skate, but want to?

[Kerfuffle]

I turned 40 last month and one of my goals over the next year is to learn how to ice skate. I have not tried it since the late 70's and I remember hating it. It was the local pond at the park district and the ice was like gravel in most places. I know a lot of you here do pickup games and such and many learned to skate well as youngsters. But, has anyone here learned how to skate recently as an adult and how was it? Any tips? Thx!

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I turned 40 last month and one of my goals over the next year is to learn how to ice skate. I have not tried it since the late 70's and I remember hating it. It was the local pond at the park district and the ice was like gravel in most places. I know a lot of you here do pickup games and such and many learned to skate well as youngsters. But, has anyone here learned how to skate recently as an adult and how was it? Any tips? Thx!

stretch for an hour or your old ass will hurt for a week

 

[supraman]

stretch for an hour or your old ass will hurt for a week

I'd love to get back on the ice so I can drop the pounds but as soon as I touch the ice my lower back lights up bad so I dont play. Havent skated in two years.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I'd love to get back on the ice so I can drop the pounds but as soon as I touch the ice my lower back lights up bad so I dont play. Havent skated in two years.

I rarely skate and I'm 23... give me an hour skate session just fucking around and I can feel it already. Bag skate me or run me through drills and I'll last.... 10 minutes max.



I haven't had proper conditioning for the last 3 years or so. Id hate to add 17 years to my body and try to skate, lol.

 

[supraman]

I rarely skate and I'm 23... give me an hour skate session just fucking around and I can feel it already. Bag skate me or run me through drills and I'll last.... 10 minutes max. I haven't skated consistently in 3 years. If a 23 year old is sore after skating for fun... I can't imagine what someone almost twice my age would go through.

I'm 27 but I carry around a lot of extra weight. My lower back muscles are just weak and skating using the living crap out of them so they get sore and when those muscles get sore my desire to play plummets, everything hurts, sitting, standing, skating, I end up barely moving and am instantly tired.



The ice got a major overhaul a few years back and was shut down for like 6 months when it came back the first two games were great, I was an energizer bunny, I had never skated so good in my life, I never seemed to tire and I could chase people all over the ice. Shame I sucked so hard, I finally learned offensive positioning (thank you NHL 09) and stopped playing. The one time I played, I put to use what I practice and finally scored a goal that I earned, behind the net pass to me in the crease and I fired it as hard as I could and the goalie dove and missed, I was so happy (I don't score often if you couldn't tell).



Maybe I need to convince my nephew to start playing so I have a rink rat buddy.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

I'm 27 but I carry around a lot of extra weight. My lower back muscles are just weak and skating using the living crap out of them so they get sore and when those muscles get sore my desire to play plummets, everything hurts, sitting, standing, skating, I end up barely moving and am instantly tired.



The ice got a major overhaul a few years back and was shut down for like 6 months when it came back the first two games were great, I was an energizer bunny, I had never skated so good in my life, I never seemed to tire and I could chase people all over the ice. Shame I sucked so hard, I finally learned offensive positioning (thank you NHL 09) and stopped playing. The one time I played, I put to use what I practice and finally scored a goal that I earned, behind the net pass to me in the crease and I fired it as hard as I could and the goalie dove and missed, I was so happy (I don't score often if you couldn't tell).



Maybe I need to convince my nephew to start playing so I have a rink rat buddy.

Welcome to my world in two different aspects

 

[supraman]

Welcome to my world in two different aspects

Agree on both accounts, shame too, hot chicks dig hockey players, rarely see ugly ones at the rink

 

[TSD]

I turned 40 last month and one of my goals over the next year is to learn how to ice skate. I have not tried it since the late 70's and I remember hating it. It was the local pond at the park district and the ice was like gravel in most places. I know a lot of you here do pickup games and such and many learned to skate well as youngsters. But, has anyone here learned how to skate recently as an adult and how was it? Any tips? Thx!

I can ice skate decently, and I really didnt start until I was an adult.



the only catch is I played inline hockey recreationally since I was 10, and league play in HS, and played on Illinois States club team in college.



The board scrimmage i went to in 07, was literally the 2nd time I ice skated in my life, I was actually rather amazed at myself (believe me I was no graceful ice angel) but I was able to skate casually smoothly and with ease, just from skating inline, most of my faults on ice are just a lack of confidence on certain movements, and your movement is much more fluid and if you are used to inline it can take some getting used to.



Maybe pick up a pair of inline skates and practice on those so you dont have to make an ass of yourself learning at the rink.

 

[JOVE23]

I've lived in the South the majority of my life and the rare times I have strapped on skates I leave the rink with a sopping wet ass.



So, it'd be nice to learn. Would be great for cardio I bet.

 

[bri]

I would love to learn to skate, but I'm terrified of breaking my ankle again. The last time I broke it was a very traumatic experience for me.

 

[jakobeast]

I have skated a few times. I took a few lessons, but I was able to stay up, move forward, even cross over my feet. Probably from roller skating so much as a youngin. Actual roller skates, quads. I am a very stiff, ankle bending, can't stop type of skater. I usually am sore afterwards for a few days, but every pain I feel, every pain I experience brings a smile to my face, as I remember the fun I had.



My advice? Get out there and do it. Inline skating my not be a bad idea, but I never have been on them, so take that for what it's worth.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Agree on both accounts, shame too, hot chicks dig hockey players, rarely see ugly ones at the rink

Let me rephrase that for you...



"Hot chicks love PROFESSIONAL hockey players."



Fluffle, what town or area do you live in? I ask because I could direct you to better rinks to learn to skate.



Here's a couple tips:

• Stretch-You have to stay loose as you will probably fall on your ass a few times and in the process, you don't want to pull something from using a muscle the wrong way trying to stay up.
  
• Skates- Make sure they fit correctly. If they are too loose you will bend your ankles and skate awkwardly. All the young teenagers will point and call you a "Bender". It's not a compliment.
  
• Falling- Don't lie to yourself, you will fall and it will hurt a bit. Its going to happen. I've played ice for over 10 years and I still fall on the ice. To prevent hurting yourself, buy a helmet and some elbow pads. This ties into....
  
• Equipment- A helmet and elbow pads are a must. Don't feel awkward about wearing a helmet, its better to be prepared and safe then unprepared and injured. Elbow pads are key because when you fall you will try to brace yourself and anyone here who has ice skated knows you will fall on your elbows and it will HURT!
  
• Location- With it being winter you can find out if your local park district has any outdoor rinks, I know my community builds about 3 with one being primarily figure skating. Or you can find your local rink and go to public skates. Pond skating is good as well but obviously be careful, not all ice is safe to skate on.
  

Just have fun doing it and once you feel that you can skate well enough and have the time/funds, think about joining a "learn to play hockey" clinic.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I would love to learn to skate, but I'm terrified of breaking my ankle again. The last time I broke it was a very traumatic experience for me.

If the skates you were to use were the right size and tied tightly, your ankles would be fine.

 

[Kerfuffle]

I live in Downers Grove near the 7 Bridges ice rink but have never been there. My wife suggested I start there. I want to get knee pads as well for when I fall but the wife said that will look stupid. A couple people here have mentioned inline skating - what is that - is that roller blades?

 

[whiteevo]

you pussies. just go do it. everything sucks when you start. whether it body pain or feeling stupid, whatever.



- if you are worried about how you look on the ice, you will forever suck. you WILL fall on your ass, face, elbows etc. if you don't fall odds are you aren't pushing yourself and getting any better. like said above, just get a helmet, elbow pads and some shin pads if you are really a pussy. slip them under some baggy pants and nobody will know you have them on.



- after you skate a few times and you don't want to quit, buy a cheap stick and go to a stick & puck session. if anything you can lean on the stick to help you along. plus its always fun to shoot pucks.



- don't get discouraged when 4 year olds skate better than you do.



it's obvious all you guys/girls like hockey or you wouldn't be on the boards. i say don't sit around thinking about it, get out this weekend and make it happen. you'd be surprised how much you can learn in a month or so.

 

[supraman]

you pussies. just go do it. everything sucks when you start. whether it body pain or feeling stupid, whatever.



- if you are worried about how you look on the ice, you will forever suck. you WILL fall on your ass, face, elbows etc. if you don't fall odds are you aren't pushing yourself and getting any better. like said above, just get a helmet, elbow pads and some shin pads if you are really a pussy. slip them under some baggy pants and nobody will know you have them on.



- after you skate a few times and you don't want to quit, buy a cheap stick and go to a stick & puck session. if anything you can lean on the stick to help you along. plus its always fun to shoot pucks.



- don't get discouraged when 4 year olds skate better than you do.



it's obvious all you guys/girls like hockey or you wouldn't be on the boards. i say don't sit around thinking about it, get out this weekend and make it happen. you'd be surprised how much you can learn in a month or so.

Hey evo can I borrow 15 bucks to play Sunday

 

[BiscuitintheBasket]

I live in Downers Grove near the 7 Bridges ice rink but have never been there. My wife suggested I start there. I want to get knee pads as well for when I fall but the wife said that will look stupid. A couple people here have mentioned inline skating - what is that - is that roller blades?

You could always get thin volleyball knee pads and wear them under your jeans if you are worried about looking goofy with knee pads....however when learning to skate I would add them to the must need equipment list that TJD presented. I would also wear some type of gloves (not just for the warmth, but for when you are getting yourself up from the ice as it is cold cold cold).

 

[supraman]

You could always get thin volleyball knee pads and wear them under your jeans if you are worried about looking goofy with knee pads....however when learning to skate I would add them to the must need equipment list that TJD presented. I would also wear some type of gloves (not just for the warmth, but for when you are getting yourself up from the ice as it is cold cold cold).

Or wear no pads cuz chicks dig scars.

 

[whiteevo]

Hey evo can I borrow 15 bucks to play Sunday

paypal address?

 

[supraman]

paypal address?

Lol. I think I'm gonna talk to my nephew and see if he wants to just jump in and play. Maybe even if he doesn't I'll go anyway, god I pray for a busy night I aint gonna be able to rack up the minutes.