Learning to Figure Skate Again in My 30s: A Personal Journey
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Chapter 1: A Journey Begins
Two decades ago, at the age of 17, I made the tough choice to stop figure skating to pursue cross country running in my senior year of high school. I had just earned a spot on the synchronized skating team at my local rink, but the financial commitment was too steep for my family. This decision echoed a similar one I made at 15 when I left ballet, feeling frustrated after years of training without the opportunity to dance en pointe.
For my birthday, my husband surprised me with figure skating lessons, reigniting a passion I thought I had left behind. While I had traded ballet and skating for running, track and field never truly felt right for me. I’ve always thrived in social settings, and running was no exception. I enjoyed running alongside friends, sharing laughter while exploring neighborhoods, and splashing through puddles—rather than enduring solitary drills with sprinters at school. Although I aimed to improve my speed and even made varsity as an alternate during my senior year, my heart still longed for the grace of figure skating. I practiced my fouetté spins and off-ice axels whenever I could.
Chapter 2: Rediscovering the Ice
Re-entering the world of skating was not as daunting as it could have been, thanks to the foundational skills I retained. I could still perform forwards and backward crossovers and was familiar with the terminology. Although I struggle with dizziness and can only manage a few spins, my muscle memory helped me quickly progress through the initial levels into freestyle 1/2/3.
In my area, adult skating classes lack the structured divisions found in children's programs. While dozens of kids skate, only a small group of adults are at the freestyle level. My class meets weekly on a large section of the ice, where beginners occupy the edges while the freestyle learners, including myself, take the center circle. Currently placed in freestyle one, I’m working alongside skaters from levels one to three, allowing us to share and learn a variety of skills. At the conclusion of each three-month session, we are evaluated and assigned to our appropriate levels.
Section 2.1: Embracing the Falls
Though figure skating isn’t classified as a contact sport, it certainly has its risks. Falling is an inevitable part of the journey. The aim is to land on your backside rather than risk injury to your tailbone, knees, or wrists. I’ve learned the hard way that my knees and hip aren’t what they used to be. After an early misstep during my first week, my right knee, which had suffered a bruise at age 26, started swelling again. I took two weeks off to recover, but I returned equipped with knee pads, determined to keep skating.
Chapter 3: The Thrill of Performance
My current instructor has reignited my excitement for skating. She encouraged me to attempt a waltz jump, and to my surprise, I successfully did it! Soon after, I was tasked with executing three consecutive jumps. A few months later, she introduced me to the toe loop, expecting me to combine it seamlessly with the waltz jump. While I sometimes question my sanity for attempting these moves, the thrill of skating keeps me coming back.
As our class reached the midpoint of the session, my instructor decided it was time to integrate our skills into a cohesive routine. After all, what is figure skating if not a dance to music? We began with a forward inside pivot, progressed through various turns, and then attempted the waltz jump and toe loop combination. Finally, we transitioned from outside to inside edges, executed a backward crossover, and concluded with a one-foot spin, culminating in a graceful leg extension and a kneeling position.
The experience was exhilarating, and I can’t wait to return to the ice for more practice!
Here’s a glimpse into my journey: WEEK 4 - Learning how to figure skate in my late 30s. This video captures my progress and the challenges I face as I revisit this beloved sport.
Check out WEEK 1 - Learning how to figure skate in my late 30s, which showcases the initial steps of my skating journey and the joy of rediscovering this passion.