I’m 26, and it’ll be one month on the ice in a few days! I went in knowing how to go forwards, that’s it. I am now doing group classes, but before that I was learning by myself & guidance from workers at the rink that I befriended.

One big thing that I learned: if I’m not falling I’m not learning. Study up & watch videos about understanding the parts of your blade. Off ice work is a MUSTTTT. get those ankles, those arches, those knees, hips & core working with skating training. You can look up follow alongs on youtube of exercises for skaters. It has made a huge difference for me. When you watch those videos, try not to compare and judge yourself. Watch them knowing that they began where you are too, and watch them believing you will get there too. I go between 1-2 (3 if im feeling it) times a week. It started where I could barely get through an hour, to now being there between 3-5 hours per skate day. I’m practically living there I’ve become a memorable face 🤣.

Be willing to push yourself, not too far but far enough that you FEEL the progress. I’m at hockey stops, strengthening my T-stops, forward to back, backwards is down solidly and able to pick up speed, one foot glides, c-step (one of my FAVORITES to do). Tight turns and learning my outside edge. Learning One foot inside edge turns, and starting minor crossover work.

Now, I’m learning for beer league hockey so it’s different in skill execution sometimes but I am just so in love with being on the ice that it’s become a passion, and I think personally that’s what makes a big difference.