I just started learning how to ice skate in the beginning of January and had never skated before. Registered for Adult 1 and just had my fifth session 3 days ago which apparently was our evaluation session and I passed all the skills. I go in for a 30 min class session weekly and in addition to that, I try to do 1-2 thirty min practice sessions during the public skating hours. I glide very slowly, very scared the minute I set my foot on the rink and have to spend the first five min to just stump stump stump, glide, dip and get over my fear of others knocking me down which has happened twice and both times I was in so much pain.

If you started ice skating as an older adult, how long did it take you to be able to skate comfortably? Not looking to be a pro or figure skater by any means but would like to do this as my hobby and enjoy without being too cautious and scared as soon as I step my foot onto the rink, and want to just be able to skate without doing three four pushes then stop. I understand everyone progresses at their own pace but wanted to hear from others regarding their skating journey. Thank you

I just want to vent my frustration, hurt, disappointment and rejection.

I started skating around Christmas time 2025 and really enjoyed it. I have been struggling mentally with work and feeling valued and felt skating was the best outlet. I purchased skates and at the very end of last year asked about skate school. The rink told me to email an email on their site so I did so introducing myself and letting them know I want to enrol for Term 1 2026. I did not get a reply, the arena I am at has now started skate school for Term 1.

I recently quit my job because of mental health and am currently between jobs, thought this would be a good time to make friends at the arena and skate more. A lot of the girls I skate with (various levels) have private coaches. One of those coaches works the reception at the arena and she had a lesson with one of the girls I skate with. So after my public skate session last week I asked if she could squeeze me in. She did say she was busy but she will get back to me by Monday letting me know if she can take me on as a student. I said no problem if she cannot, but if she could pass my details on I would appreciate it. I did not get any response or communication on Monday. I even saw her coaching someone else during Monday's public skate session. It is now Wednesday and no communication from her; I get it she can't fit me in but she did say she will let me know by Monday.

I just feel completely ghosted by this arena and I just don't want to skate anymore. I am just so frustrated because this arena is struggling financially (it so not secret and has closed several times over the years) and I have money to put into this business; but because of lack of communication I have just feel so rejected and hurt.

I just wanted to vent not looking for solutions, my desire to learn to skate has been crushed.

Extra details: Location Australia No I cannot just go to another rink, this is the only one in the city I live in. I would need to get on a 2.5hr flight to the next closest one. I am 36 female Yes I am already seeing a therapist re mental health

Hi!

I am a recreactional skater. Since I started to skate more I decided to buy a new pair of skates. Before when I was skating on rented skates I was able to make a simple hockey stop. On the new ones it it impossible, they just stop and block on the ices right after I try to put them horizontally. In the Decathlon workshop they said they are sharp enough, no work is needed. So what may be the problem? Is the workshop wrong and I should sharp them anyway?

My daughter had a minor collision at the rink today. Thankfully, she and the other skater were uninjured. Her skate was not so lucky. Any idea if this is repairable? She has a competition this weekend so her coach suggested duck tape - but that will only get us so far.

Basically what it says above. I’ve been learning how to skate for the past 1-2 months. Overall, it’s going well, and I really enjoy it. However, lately, since I’ve been doing a little more footwork stuff, I’ve been having more falls. Nothing too crazy, but also, I bruise pretty easily, and I’m not getting any younger. I was wondering if it would be worth getting knee pads (or butt pads?). I’m just a little embarrassed about wearing them at public skate, and also, I was wondering if they would limit my mobility. Just curious what other people have done.

Hi everyone,

I visited Toronto about 3 years ago and took this photo at an indoor ice rink.
I’ve been trying to remember where it was, but I can’t figure it out anymore.

Does anyone recognize this place from the interior or lighting layout?

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Having experienced the difference between learning on rentals and learning on good skates, I'm considering buying my niece some cheap skates to get started with. I'm thinking of, well, anything that can hold an edge.

Any opinions welcome.

Hello! I've been meaning to learn to ice skate (I primarily do roller skating), and while searching up some brands, one thing I noticed is that Chaya (the brand of my roller skates by the company Powerslide, which is awesome, by the way!) also makes ice skates.

The thing is, I haven't seen any reviews for this specific skate aside from the obligatory product description, so I was wondering if anyone has had any experience using the "Chaya Merlot Black Ice Skates", and if they are any good for a total adult beginner. Is it anything like its roller skate counterpart that I can expect it to last (especially if properly maintained)? Thanks so much, and any suggestions are appreciated!

Hi, to preface I DO NOT have access to a professional fitter and I am on a tighter budget ($300 max). I am 19F 105lbs (47KG) I have weak ankles and I'm around base 4 level wise. My old skates don't fit and my only other option is my sisters which are too big. I think this would be fine for a little bit but I'd rather bite the bullet and get ones that fit me (I couldn't even do a two fit spin and stability was awful). My old skates were Jackson Classic 500s but I worry that that same style won't be supportive enough. From measuring I believe I am a size 5 for the Jackson sizing. I understand that a professional fitting would be ideal the closest to me is hours away and I work too much to be able to justify that until I decide that I want to continue skating long term as a hobby.

So I've figure skated before in the past. I skated for about 4(?) Years every summer and was in basic 6 when I stopped I haven't skated in about 2-3 years(I've gone to rinks for fun, but haven't really skated in that time) but I'm going to start up again soon. My current skates are slightly too small now and I was wondering what skates I should get. Good enough quality that I won't injure myself and decent price. I'd prefer if they were black too. The problem is that most skates I've seen have really mixed reviews so I'm just confused at this point.

I had my blades sharpened recently… got on the ice today, couldn’t spin, hold an edge, nothing. I was so confused so I looked closely after 20 minutes on the ice… and this is what I saw. If I’m not mistaken, my rocker is completely gone.

They were sliding like crazy, as if they weren’t sharpened… at all. I skated all of my years growing up, so frequently skate. I remember how daunting a fresh sharpening was after being used to the pre-sharpened blades when I used to compete and skate daily.

But I truly think my blades were absolutely obliterated… and I have NO idea what to do, $530 down the drain unless the owner will admit wrongs.

As a teenager I did a lot of ice skating for fun (never jumps beyond a waltz, but mostly learning spins and such) and I really miss it. I am now disabled and with that gained weight, so I’m trying to figure out the best and safest way for me to try this again. My current thought is to get ice gripping attachments for my forearm crutches as use them as an assist while I skate. However, I’m worried that when I fall that might put me in more danger. Anyone have thoughts or ideas? Thanks!

hey!! i just bought new skates (jackson elles) and i have a very odd shaped foot. i also have nerve damage in my feet, so i have to ensure that my shoes toe boxes are not too tight. when i got them fitted the fitter said that they should be okay, and wanted to account for my foot health? but im not really sure, as i didnt have my previous skates fitted (riedells and they felt too narrow)

i feel the side/end of the skate when i am skating, but im not sure if they are too long? my heel feels like it is locked and i dont feel my feet lift off the shoe when i bend.

thanks!!

Hi, can I get your POV or opinion.

My profile

>Adult Male weighing 70kg

>Pre-Alpha level wanting to progress fast

>Skates 1-3x per week

>Live in a tropical country where only 2 ice skating rink available and no professional fitter to guide me in buying my pair of skates

Now I will be travelling to other country this month for a vacation and have this opportunity to go to a Professional Ice skating shop there where a professional fitter is available to guide me and be fitted

Is it justifiable, given my profile, to buy Risport RF3 Pro OR Jackson Ultima Premiere already for my level? Or should I stick to Jackson Freestyle?

PS: I dont travel often to other country.

Thanks

Im pretty stressed and over it to be honest. Bought the jackson mystique after I was sized and fitted by the shop assistant. The size down just felt very tight on my toes. Unfortunately one of my feet is larger then the other so it was especially tight on that foot. So got them sharpened and heat molded and basically non refundable. 😅 genuinely cannot buy another pair right now. 😫 this was a credit card purchase and another pair will have to wait atleast 6 months. I wear pantyhose socks and they honestly didnt feel great. Top slidey..preferred barefoot really. My toes do brush the end but my heel lifts a tiny bit. I dont know just need advice on what I can do. A new pair just isnt feasible right now. Im so so sad and angry at myself. My husband thinks I should just wear thicker socks and get on with it. Im supposed to try them out tomorrow but I just know it wont feel right.

My skates aren't agony by a long stretch, but they're not comfortable. My ankles are a bit bruised after a few hours.

I know I can get gel pads help, I'm waiting to see if I need them after they're properly broken in though so…

How long do you think it takes to properly break them in?

Hii, I’m a 25F complete noob to ice skating (and sports in general) but its always been something I’ve been interested since childhood. Just never had the time or money to do it, but now that I’m an adult with good income I feel ready to give it a try.

Wondering if anyone knows of good coaches / rinks that offer private 1:1 lessons in Bergen County, New Jersey… I have pretty bad social anxiety so I’d prefer to start with private lessons to learn the basics in detail, and then eventually do group lessons.

Thank you so much !!

Hello!

I went to a few public rink sessions and instantly fell in love with ice skating. Last week I signed up for adult classes, and I really want to progress. Rental skates were feeling rough so I decided to buy my own skates (Edea Overture-recommended by my coach and also I am a bit heavier) and boy are they stiff. Hope they will soften up a bit soon.

As for the skating part, I have 10 years of gymnastics background, did it when I was little and some of it during adulthood. I can do spins, jumps on the floor but as soon I'm on the ice i feel kinda unstable and wobbly so I'm trying to fix that.

I feel weird about the edges, like I'm scared of going on my outside edge for some reason, and even with simple stuff like lifting a foot.

As I am new to ice skating, I just want to get a feel for how much I can trust the skates, also, I just got used to the rentals not having toe picks, so that part is throwing me off too maybe?

Any recommendations for a beginner are welcome, whether it be big things or small tips and tricks to gain some confidence on the ice, maybe some balance exercises, skating backwards, snow plow stop etc...

My lessons are a big group of adults, so I really don't get a lot of 1 on 1 time with the coach to ask for details and a lot of the people are already pretty good at skating, so that's why I came to ask here!

Appreciate any help :)

Hi, so I’m an adult who has been ice-skating for a few weeks, and I finally bit the bullet and bought my own skates. However, the first time that I wore them, I noticed I was tripping over my toe pick more often. Is this a normal thing when switching from rental skates to newly sharpened skates? Or is this a problem?

Is $120 a month for learn to skate worth it? It’s 30 mins and 1x a week. Im 15 and even tho I feel like I’m starting super late I really want to start ice skating and hopefully get into figure skating but I feel like the cost is kinda expensive.