Ice Skating

I loved this book! I think that every skater should read this book! I fell in love with skating though this book. Of course, I liked skating before I read this book, but this book showed me that skating was for me!

Skating on Ice began hundreds of years ago as a way to get from one place to another. The focus of ice skating today is definately more for entertainment, however natural ice rinks form in countries with exceptionally cold winter weather and you can skate outdoors for exercise. In Toronto and Canada, large areas are flooded during the winter months to make rinks and skating is one of the most popular sports in Canada now. Some of the first World Championships were held in outdoor rinks and for me, ice skating outdoors is ideal. I dream of skating down a frozen lake and did skate as a child on a frozen lake once. My holiday dreams for the winter are now focusing on a place with an outdoor rink. I say all this to say: Introducing a child to ice skating can give them much pleasure later in life. My parents would drop my brother and I off at the ice rink and we never wanted to leave. My brother taught me to skate backwards which I was very proud of! This is a sport the whole family can enjoy if parents can find the time to take their children for this fun activity. In this wonderful introduction to skating, children will learn what they will need to be comfortable and warm. I didn't realize an ice-dance blade was different from a free-skating blade. Now, that is information I could have used as a child. A Warming up section shows children how to stretch to prevent injuries. If you remember your first steps onto the ice, the next section will be very valuable. What happens if your child falls in the middle of the ice rink? If no one is nearby...the picture they show is fine, but if skaters are whizzing by...I would tell children to keep their fingers folded in as they try to get back up. Sometimes you can get knocked back over just as you are getting up, has happened. ;> <br /> <br />This section shows children how to step out onto the ice, how to fall safely, do dips and how to scull. Skating forwards is the basics, but they go into Crossovers, the snowplow, stopping by using a T-stop and a hockey stop. Skating backwards and not falling is exhilirating! <br /> <br />The step-by-step intructions are all illustrated by real skaters. How to place your weight and on what leg is very important for balance. Did you know that edges are the foundation of ice skating? This is what allows skaters to skate curves and circles. Once the forward and backward skating has been mastered, you can move on to turns and then to jumping on ice. I would recommend ice skating classes for sure, however this book will allow the skater to read all about what they are learning in class. It seems to me it would be difficult to learn to do jumps from a book and I don't recommend it. <br /> <br />They do say: "Seek professional coaching before you attempt any of the moves." A glossary gives insight into the language of ice skating. You can look up a sit spin or a waltz hold or even a bunny hop. All I have to say is...why am I here writing a review when I could be skatin

Learning to skate is made easy by this guidebook. Everything in ice skating has to do with precise control over edges and clear control over your body. Many times you might feel out of control when you begin to skate. Not only does this guide help you feel more secure as a skater, you benefit from clear illustrations of skating moves. I've seen and purchased other guidebooks, but this one is clearly the best.