Competitive figure skating moms...

[Disneycrazymom]

How nice of you to offer, let me see if our teacher has one on Sat. Is it important to begin keeping track of her skills even this early? Is it like a shot record, where I will be asked about it later? It is sort of funny that we stumbled into this thinking it was a simple little lesson. Well, maybe 10 years and thousands of dollars from now I won't think it's funny! That's ok DS and DH both play hockey we might as well just send the rest of our expendable income to the rink!

Wow, triples, your DS must be very good. I bet he is fun to watch!

 

[Shells9]

How fun that there are so many of us here!

Sounds like you're in a good group if they have them playing games to learn. We use plastic animals and sometimes beanbags to set up little slalom courses that they need to skate through or they throw the bean bags across the ice and then have to skate, bend over and pick them up

They do that at our club, too!

Definitely check with who ever you registered with for your US Figure Skating packet. When we affiliate our kids, they each get a book which shows all the levels and what the requirements are and also their USFSA card and badge.

We have never been given this information either.

Our tests are done so the kids do not even know they are testing. It's not a formal process for us. The coaches have a sheet and they check off when the skater is able to perform the element. As the Learn to Skate classes progress, the classes may be combined. For example, DD is in Basic 3 right now, but she is in a Basic 3-4 class. Our coahces rotate so they are not teaching the same level all the time.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far! It's fun to swap stories!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Is it important to begin keeping track of her skills even this early?

No, you definitely don't need to be worrying about keeping track of her skills at this age The book is just nice because it introduces new parents to the world of skating. With your DH and DS playing hockey, I'm sure you're aware of how to care for skates and keep them sharpend and dry, but I've met a lot of newbies who didn't even realize that you had to sharpen them. It also gives you a general idea of what elements are learned at each level.

As for the tests, our teachers make a big deal out of it because it gives the kids a sense of accomplishment. I still have some of my daughters sheets and the teachers have put some really nice comments on there for her and lots of smiley faces. The kids decorate their skate bags with their badges. Oh and no one leaves the lesson without a sticker on their helmet. It's all about fun.

Nice to see so many that enjoy it.

 

[shelbyjosh]

Keep on the Learn to Skate track. Like I said before, you don't want to start private lessons any sooner that you have to. That expense will come quick enough. After one LTS session ends, sign up for the next one. One other thing to stay away from...soliciting from coaches. It is against PSA (Prof Skaters Assoc) code to solicit students and parents. If you need a coach, contact the FS director and they should be able to guide you in the right direction. Luckily, DD has 2 of the best coaches at our rink. Yes, there is favortism. It drives me batty to see higher level students get preferential treatment when my money is just as green as theirs. Every club will have the quirks. Every club has politics. One of DDs coach's told me for every 20 minutes of lesson time they should practice 30 minutes.

There are some girls that spend $$$$ on dresses. We were at a comp in Feb and there was an intermediate girl whose dress was a MINIMUM of $500. I think the most I have spent on my DD was $125. That is the dress that she is currently using for her short program. We prefer to not buy off Ebay. We like custom dresses. They are made to fit and can be stoned to your liking. One dress I bought was from the Sharene catalog and I stoned it myself. Saved about $100.

Good luck and just remember to let the kids have fun. When it gets to the point when they are being dragged to the rink and they put up a fight, it is time to back down or quit.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Originally posted by shelbyjosh
We like custom dresses. They are made to fit and can be stoned to your liking. One dress I bought was from the Sharene catalog and I stoned it myself. Saved about $100.

Lifelong figure skating fan here. This is REALLY interesting.

What is "stoned"?

 

[shelbyjosh]

When you put the crystals on the dress. Some use a little electric tool (I think it is called a BeDazzler) to apply them. I use a clear glue and apply them one at a time. You can buy acrylic (plastic) crystals or you can buy the Swarovski crystals. The S crystals really do sparkle a lot more than the acrylic ones. They are more $$ but I think they are worth it.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Ah! I see. Thanks!

 

[shelbyjosh]

Here is a link to the photos from Shelby's short program in February.

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?EventFrame?event=03BZ01LH0M

Enjoy!!

 

[Shells9]

I think I am just about to start "stoning" myself, lol! I was going to start with actually her practice jacket. I have a simple skate design in mind and want to use S crystals. I think the electric tool is called a Candy Cane -- at least the electic glue one anyway. I hope to try to do something next weekend with it. There is a place that sells the S crystals here in town. I am excited about it.

There is a LOT of confusion with the skating schedule for the compeition this weekend. No one at our club understands it, either, lol, so me as a newbie -- I just have no clue! The categories they have on the schedule do not correlate with the categories on the registration forms, so we are all confused!

This is actually a pretty stressful venture for me!

 

[tmq2766]

Hi everyone,
I tried to reply yesterday but my computer was NOT cooperating!
My DD9 has been skating from the time she just turned 3 and is now competing in a freestyle 3 level. She also is on a synchronized skating team. They have had 9 competition so far this year. They have taken 4 1st, 4 3rd and one 4th. We are going on to compete in the World competition in August in Minnesota, so far against teams from Spain and Korea. WOO HOO! We are on the ice 3 times a week, one being at 6:00am on Mondays before school for her private lesson then she skates on Friday for team, Saturday morning for a power class and immediately following the power class she has team practice again. Sometimes I think I work harder than she does. hehe. She does at least 2-3 individual competition each year.
As far as team goes we do tons and tons of fund raising to pad our bills! That is the only way to go. Our bills for team alone run about $4000.00-$5000.00 each year, and that does not include all the gas I use running her all over.
Her dreams are not to be an Olympic skater but to skate with Disney on ice which is not a dream that is unreachable. We had one of the skaters from our rink travel skate with Disney until she blew her knee out.
I have told her that I will always find a way to pay for her skating as long as she loves it but the minute she wants to stop she has to continue for at least 2 more weeks and if she still wants to quit I will stand behind her decision

 

[missypie]

I don't have a skater but it's been fun to read these posts. One DD started competitive gymnastics last fall, and the other started competitive dance this year...I had the same questions, just different sports!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Great thread.......
DD8 is going into her first competition in June.
She got to Freeskate 2 in group lessons and that is when we switched to private lessons - once per week at $25 for 20 minutes!
Group lessons (Basic 1-8 and Freeskate) were $87 for 6 weeks with 6 public sessons included.
She is now in Junior Club which is $35 a month (70 minute sessions), plus does power skating for half hour per week at $5. per session, and additional free skating sessions at $9 per 40 minutes (usually once per week)!!
Luckily we were able to get good used skates (she has GAM with MK blades), but I suspect next skates will be new ($$$)
She really likes it, but also have no desires to be an Olympic skater. She just has fun with it.
It's pretty small down here in Atlanta. The interesting thing is they go year round with no stopping or altering to the schedule. Ice time doesn't seem to be a problem either.
I used to skate many many many years ago and I know from experience some people can get overly competitive and ugly!!
It's changed so much over the years, so thanks for all the info.

 

[two4ruff]

I'm always complaining about the cost of equipment and ice for my two boys to play hockey...

After reading this thread, my checkbook is grateful they didn't choose figure skating. Ouch!

Although I do think I would enjoy creating outfits much more than smelly goalie gear...

Good luck to all!

 

[tmq2766]

Bump

 

[TammiMcMan]

Yup, the higher the level, the more expensive the skates. That and the fact they start selling the boot and blade seperately can make the cost add up pretty quickly. We have a great skate shop in the area and when DS needs anything, we head there. He's in a Reidell boot and he went from Professional blades to the Wilson Pattern 99. All together, his last pair of boots and blades ran us about $900. If we keep the blades in good shape, then we should only have to replace the boots in another year or so. The nice thing is that with well-made boots, you can have them stretched and they won't grow out of them quite as quickly. My DS loves the new heat molding system that they use to fit his boots to his foot. It cuts way down on the amount of time it usually takes to break in the new pair.

Our club recently held a re-sale to raise money for our ice theatre group. We organized the event and asked for donations. Some parents set the price for their items and others allowed us to do that. We gave back 75% of the sale to the parents and kept 25% for the group. This is a great way to clean out your closet of outfits that no longer fit and you can get pretty good bargains.

I'm not artistic at all, but if you can purchase or even make a simple skate outfit, then you can really dress it up with crystals and accessories and not break the bank.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Oh Missypie, gymnastics is not any better! My God daughter is a level 8 and they pay a fortune in gym and meet fees, let alone the travel costs! I love to watch her though!

 

[tmq2766]

bump

 

[tjmw2727]

Well, my girls are not competing yet but they did enter their first basic skill competition later this May. Just the basic elements, youngest dd is in basic 5 and the older in basic 7. Its also at our rink so most of their friends from the Jr Club will be competing or watching. They are very excited, from what I can tell its just the performance of the elements in the level without music and fairly low key. Anyone care to add their experiences?

My older dd started last year and loved it, pretty soon my younger dd decided it was much more fun to skate than to sit and freeze..uh um I mean.... watch.

They both did the ice show this year and it was a wonderful experience. Right now they skate twice a week, a group lesson and a practice session. Older dd does some privates, usually 20 minutes at a time.

It has been a great club, low key and very supportive so far. We don't have much experience with the Sr Club yet but everyone we have met has been very informative and friendly.

My older dd has developed so much confidence in herself through skating, that alone has been more than worth the $ we spent so far. I like the fact that they move through the levels at their own pace but are still part of a team (or club). Older dd didn't do well with soccer or baseball so this was a nice fit.

I love reading about others experience, I am so new to this and sometimes I just don't understand the "language"!

TJ

 

[Shells9]

We have Wilson blades, but not the ones TammiMcMan's DS has, lol! We bought them with the boots. I would have to look at the box to find out what kind they are.

It looks like we will not be at the rink as long as I thought for her competition. It looks like DD will skate at about 10:30 am and about 1 pm, so that's awesome -- that we can do!

It is fun to see her progress. So far everyone we have met has been pretty nice -- a few stand-offish people, but mostly very nice. The irst time she went, she could not even walk on the things.

Yzma and Kronk -- wow your lessons are kind of expensive! Ours is $27 for 30 minutes, and then ice time on top of that ($12 per hour, but we have a punch card for 10 sessions for $100 -- saves $2 for each session. Unlimited ice time is $300 per month)

We skate year 'round, also. The 8 week sessions just keep going and going. I wish our arena had more off-ice instruction, as I think that would just enhance anyone's performance. I have seen websites for some arenas that look like they have awesome off ice performances.

For those of you that have clubs -- what do you do marketing wise to try to increase membership? I would like to start working (volunteering) with our skating directors in some capacity, and I think marketing might be something they could use.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Well, my girls are not competing yet but they did enter their first basic skill competition later this May

Basic skill competitions are very fun. Mostly informal, especially for the kids in the lower levels. If it's your club that's running it, then the instructors will most likely be the "judges". They will have the skater come onto the ice and ask them to perform each of the elements from whichever level they've tested at last. Some of the younger skaters like to get dressed up, but most of them wear snowpants and helmets. You will probably see some skaters that perform their elements to music. They are usually the ones who receive private lessons in addition to the group lessons. PS.. I'm from Massachusetts too

Shells9,

Thats great that you want to volunteer at your club. A well organized club and word of mouth are inexpensive ways to advertise. During our skating sessions, I would always set up a table and be on hand to answer questions and give out information. If your club is affiliated with the USFSA learn to skate program, they should have material available for you. We always found that our membership would go up during Olympic years and then taper off after that. A website and flyers for the elementary schools are good advertisements. If you do have a competition, show or holiday exhibition, have the local paper come down and do an article.

~Tammi