How long does it usually take to learn how to ice skate?

I am planning on taking ice skating lessons which are offered for 30 minutes for 8 Saturdays but I am not sure if by the end of the session I am able to skate fairly well and master the basics because I won't be able to take another session but skating has been a sport I've always wanted to try and enjoy. Within eight weeks, what will the instructors teach at the lessons and about how many weeks will it take to be able to skate without falling. I probably won't be able to practice much because school takes up much of the week except for the weekends. Usually how long does it take for a person to learn to ice skate? Thank you

How long does it usually take to learn how to ice skate?
More than likely, your lesson plan falls under (if in the US):





USFSA Basic Skills 1 in which you will learn:


Sit on ice and stand up


March forward across the ice


Forward 2-foot glide


Dip


Forward swizzles


Backward wiggles


Snowplow stop


Rocking horse


2-foot hop in place





OR





ISI Pre-Alpha in which you will learn:


Two foot glides


Right and Left one foot Glide


Forward swizzles


Backward swizzles


Backward wiggle





And if the rink has it's own "beginning" curriculum, the moves will be similar to above.





Everyone learns at a different pace, so it's hard to say how long anyone would "master" anything. Some learn quickly, some do not. But these moves are fairly simple - and as someone already mentioned, most people can do all these moves by the end of the class session - if not sooner!





I know quite a few people who started ice skating without ever rollerskating or rollerblading - so not to worry! Those with experience don't necessarily learn faster.





Seeing the list above, you know you won't be learning any jumps or spins off the bat. The big "tricks" come as you continue on after getting into more basics.





As for the falling, well . . . falling is inevitable . . . it just happens to ALL skaters no matter what level they are in. The best we can all do is to learn how to fall the best way possible in order to prevent injuries (and pain!) . . . that too takes practice. We don't really learn how not to fall . . . we actually learn how TO fall.





If you are limited in practice time, then make the most of the practice time that you do have. Write down what you learned directly after class if you have a chance. Take advantage of the public session that usually comes after your class . . . go over what you did in class. Practice time gets to be social time for some people - and time flies - so don't get too caught up with that - focus on your skating with your precious ice time! On the days that you can't skate, visualize the skating moves that you learned - and be conscious about good posture!





You may very well enjoy the sensation of skating after your very first class!! Certainly by the end of 8 weeks you will have more in your reportoire of skating moves than you have now . . . and you just might want to take more lessons (that's what happened to me!).





Best of luck!
Reply:Every person is different, and the "basics" are different to every skater, some skaters consider the basics just being able to skate around the rink and get up off of the ice, and for others it means being able to do two foot spins, basic jumps etc. Everybody falls when learning how to skate, even the pros fall, my coach tells me that it is just part of learning, and it will never go away because nobody is perfect. Good luck!
Reply:i took ice skating and was competitive for many years, until last year when i broke me ankle. the way i look at it there is soo much too learn that you never stop learning. even after 3 years you will still fall and even just skating around people fall.
Reply:Do.you.want.to.do.tricks?Cause.if.u.do.8...
Reply:when i first started ice skating we went for 6 ... 30 minute lessons (with 30 min practice at the end) ... by the end of it i could do the basics in skating and had passed grades 1%26amp;2





... then i did grades 3,4,5,6,7 (they each took 6 weeks)





i was lucky because i passed all the grades on my first go ... some people have to do them more times if they aren't as good !!!





then after i'd finished all the grades (it goes up to 9) i got private lessons with my coach .. and i've done that for the last 4 years





also i have taken part in the last 3 shows ... which is great fun





... but it really depends on the skater ... because some people like it and some people can't handle all the pressure on their legs
Reply:ice skating can take alot of time for others i started out when i was about 7 so i have been skating for about 14 years just give it some more time it will come to u in no time.
Reply:there isn't any precise time someone learns to skate ,it varies from person to person. and for the other question you will ALWAYS fall i have been doing this for years and i still fall so don't go anticipating that once you get good that you wont fall.
Reply:i think you would be able to skate around the rink a couple of times without falling but even if have been skating for 8 weeks or 8 years you will still fall.





It really depends what kind of skater you are, because there are people that get the hang of it easily and others need a little more time learning. But if you think ur one of those people who could get the hang of it im pretty sure 8 weeks is plenty. You never know until you actually do it though.





you wanted to aslo know what your instructors will teach well it depends what class level you are taking usually if its like a begginer level like at my rink it would be pre-alpha 1 they would teach you how to do a two foot glide and begin a one foot glide also basic forward and backward skating. another thing they would teach is forward/backward swizzles.
Reply:Well...this depends on what program you're in. The U.S. figure skating program has three different sections, (Snowplow Sam, Basic, and Freestyle), Snowplow Sam is more being able to just skate, then in the basic levels, they add in things like jumps and spins, and with each level (there are 8), the "tricks" get harder. In freestyle, it's all "tricks", and no basic skills (like skating backwards, forwards, and stopping). If you don't like to practice, then you won't get very far, but that's ok if you just want to be able to hold your own on the ice. If it's any other program, I can't really help you (I'm in freestyle 5, there are 6 freestyle levels). I've already gone trough all of the basic levels, but being that I started alrealy knowing how to skate, I skipped the Snowplow Sam levels. Good Luck!


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Reply:As much as this isn't going to sound like the answer you want to hear, it really, really depends on the person. I coach skating, and in an 8 week session, MOST skaters can complete everything from the beginning level, and some from the first two levels. It really depends on each individual's ability. The more you can skate and practice also greatly plays a role in how quickly you will advance.





You should be able to skate just fine by the end of 8 weeks. As long as you skate, you will never get away from falling in some regards! You will probably be able to skate around the rink without falling over after 1 or 2 lessons though. :-)




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