Can Anyone Learn How to Ice Skate?

There are plenty of recreational activities out there. You can turn anything into a recreational activity if you add a physical element to it, or perhaps a couple of friends to do it with. Not all recreational activities are available all the time. Some are seasonal and ice skating is one of those activities. Apart from the extreme north and south, not to mention high up on a mountain, ice skating is a winter activity, often considered a dangerous one.

However, many people ice skate, from children to those well over 80, which leads us to the question, can anyone ice skate? 

Everything Can Be Learned

To an extent, all skills can be learned. This is true for anything from driving to ice skating, or even playing pool, shooting a gun, to something intricate such as building ships in bottles. Ice skating is an activity that may require more time and effort from some people, while others get it almost immediately.

The point is that while not everyone can be a professional competing at the highest level, most people can learn how to ice skate and not be a danger to themselves or others. While most will never be Olympic medalists, they can learn enough to go out to a rink and have fun on a weekend, which is the point of most recreational activities.

It Takes Balanc

Ice skating is a way of movement which doesn’t come naturally to humans. However, some have no troubles adapting to it. Most people do very well if they just go to a rink and try. With enough time, the body will learn which movements keep it upright and which are a great way to end up on your back, like so many people do on a rink, all the time. 

Balance is something that requires practice and it will not be gained by sitting at home and watching ice skating tutorials, but rather by practising on the rink. Those who spend a lot of time sitting and have little to no physical activities will have a much harder time than those who are active and frequently run, climb or even walk a lot.

It Takes Bravery

One of the first things that gets people to fall on their backside is fear of falling on their backside. Most who get on the rink grab the fence as if it is the straw upon which they must clutch for their dear life. However, simply practising and that does include falling, will net much better results than attempts to skate while always holding a crutch.

Falling is essential so one should not be afraid to experiment, skate and fall. It would be best for absolute beginners, especially those who are afraid, to learn with a professional, who has seen everything and will be able to help them overcome their fears. Practice engrains what is practised, so make sure to practise skating and not holding on to the fence.

Everything can be learned, to an extent, which includes ice skating. Most people can overcome the basics and become good enough so that they will not be fearful of their own performance on the rink. Most people can get good enough to have fun and forget that they are skating. 

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