Each week, our entertainments reporter tries out a new activity. See the latest How to.. This page last updated: Thursday, March 23, 2006 .
How to.. ice skate
Pictured below: Intrepid reporter Duncan Hall learns how to ice skate under the watchful eye of Kathy Conroy. (5AS0526286) Picture: Alan Storer
ONE of the highlights of a holiday to America was the chance to ice-skate al fresco on a frozen pond in the middle of Boston Common.
Or rather it would have been a highlight if it hadn’t been one of the first times I had ever strapped a pair of ice-skates on – aside from a few sessions in Hull’s ice rink which I would rather forget.
After a few minutes of slipping and sliding around the ice and keeping a tight grip on the bar around the side I finally managed to get moving (vaguely) by adopting a one-legged shuffle around the rink, narrowly avoiding collisions with all the five-year-olds happily doing spins around me.
I pretty much swore never to go on the ice again, but after an embarrassing session with the Peterborough Predators Ice Hockey team Evening Telegraph photographer Alan Storer suggested it was time I learned how to skate properly.
When I joined the adult ice-skating classes at Planet Ice I was understandably nervous, but I was soon taken under the wing of kindly instructor Kathy Conroy.
Kathy is in charge of the adult classes, and while I was pulling my skates on I had been given glowing reports by fellow class members about how much she had helped them on the ice.
Kathy puts the class into groups according to their skating level. There are 10 levels set by the UK Learn To Skate Scheme, so as students learn the basics for each level they are moved up to the next class.
The actual classes use the width rather than the length of the ice rink, and if you’re a beginner you’re at one end – not far from the side at all!
Kathy literally guided me by the hand through the basic skating move – pushing one foot forward by turning your other foot sideways and using its power on the ice to propel you along.
A lot of it was about not being afraid to take your foot off the ice – something I have never liked doing.
She also showed me some of the other basic moves beginners have to learn – turning around on the spot and bending down and touching your toes as you glide along, which is not as hard as it sounds.
Once I’d had the one-on-one tuition she let me practise, and I am proud to confess that, apart from the odd stumble here and there, I think I mastered the basic skating move – although I did favour one foot over the other. On top of that I didn’t fall over once!
After the session Kathy said: “UK Learn To Skate is a nationally recognised award system.
“If you get up to level 10 you get to the UK star tests and you start to specialise, either with free skating, with jumps and spins, or ice dancing.
“You can go at your own pace, and move up the levels when you are ready. A lot of it is about being relaxed.”
Why do it:
Ice-skating is a great social activity, both for adults and children. It is a great way to meet people, and it is a lot of fun. It is also good exercise.
The adult classes are especially good for parents who want to join their children out on the ice, or for anyone who wants to give ice hockey a try.
You will need:
Warm clothes – you are skating on cold ice after all – an extra pair of socks to wear under the skates and a pair of gloves to keep your hands warm. Skates are available to hire from the rink.
It will cost:
Lessons cost £5.70 for an hour for an adult, although you can follow on what you have learned in the public skating session. Skate hire costs £1.50.
Where to go:
Planet Ice, in Mallard Road, Bretton, holds adult lessons on Sunday mornings, from 10am to 11am before the public skating session.
Children’s classes are also available on Saturdays and there is even a Snow Babies class for children aged between 18 months and five years.
More info:
Contact Planet Ice on 01733 260222 or go to www.planet-ice.co.uk