Current Events > Is it possible to learn how to ice skate in 90 minutes?

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An ice skating rink has recently opened in my town for a limited time and I want to try it. I've never even roller bladed roller skated though so I would be a complete novice. Sessions are 90 minutes.

Will I even be able to stand up? -_-
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It's not too bad once you get the hang of it OP.

No, but the best advice I can give is when you begin, to prevent from falling, put your hands on your knees and start off hunched over. If you feel like you are going to fall, revert back to the hunched position with your hands on your knees.

I taught kids how to skate part time for a couple of summers when I was in high school. I played for the Varsity ice hockey team.
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Depends on where your line of "knowing how to skate" is.

Standing up? For sure.

Awkwardly shifting around on the ice near the wall or edge railing? Probably.

Awkwardly shifting around on the ice, but away from the walls and able to keep from falling? Maybe, depends on how quick you pick up on it.

Being able to legit skate around without falling and keeping good balance? Incredibly unlikely.
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WafflehouseJK posted...

Depends on where your line of "knowing how to skate is"

Standing up? For sure.

Awkwardly shifting around on the ice near the wall or edge railing? Probably.

Awkwardly shifting around on the ice, but away from the walls and able to keep from falling? Maybe, depends on how quick you pick up on it.

Being able to legit skate around without falling and keeping good balance? Incredibly unlikely.

I just watched a YouTube video. I think I'll be able to get the standing down. I learned a lot that I never knew. Like pushing off at an angle rather than straight back. And bending the knees. I'm more confident now lol but you're probably right, I doubt I'll be gliding anywhere.
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As someone who played junior hockey, no it's incredibly difficult IMO.

You might be able to get the basics down if you have good balance, but for example I started skating when I was five and even at my absolute best in my late teens I still was only good enough to make junior b and c.

Takes years to get good. But some basic lessons will certainly help.
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Don't try to take "steps" like you would walking, instead try to push outwards to the sides to begin with and you'll make little strides.

Knees soft, upper body slightly forward at first so that when you fall (and you will) you can go down forwards rather than cracking the back of your head on the ice.

Edit - and pick a type of stop to learn, otherwise you'll be using the barriers to stop yourself once you start getting around on the ice. If you've ever done skiing before, the plow stop is going to be the most intuitive.

It'll take more than that for the swelling to go down when you immediately fall.
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Ice is dense AF. Don't underestimate what you are falling on. You are better off face planting on concrete than ice.
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It's pretty easy once you figure it out. It's about center of balance mostly. Spend some time getting adjusted to it while awkwardly shuffling yourself along the boards, and when you can stand on your own without having any support, then you can learn to skate.

MabusIncarnate posted...

Ice is dense AF. Don't underestimate what you are falling on. You are better off face planting on concrete than ice.

Also this. When I was learning how to skate as a kid, I fell down on my knees so much that they were completely black and blue from bruising. It hurt so much.
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Just don't associate it with walking, consider it more like walking through a restaurant kitchen with wet floors and not wearing no-slip shoes. Consider each stride with care and the slightest overstep will send you on your ass. Approach with care.
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MorbidFaithless posted...

I've never even roller bladed roller skated though so I would be a complete novice.

Ah... I can't say, then. I went from roller blades to ice skates and found that they're incredibly similar. Within the first 5 minutes, I felt comfortable doing everything except jumping... (btw, be careful with that because the blades can dig in and fuck you hard on the landing).

I dunno how you'll fare with no prior, similar experience. I'd say you'll want more than 90 min, if I had to guess.
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Alucard188 posted...

MabusIncarnate posted...

Ice is dense AF. Don't underestimate what you are falling on. You are better off face planting on concrete than ice.

Also this.

Yeah, important to note. Concrete will scrape your skin off, but ice feels like a car crash.
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Pro-tip: If you fall, quickly retract your fingers into a fist so they won't accidentally get sliced off by other skaters.
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