I'm going ice skating for the first time, tommorow...got any tips???

Me and a bunch of friends are going ice skating tommorow and I've never ever done that before. Only 2 of my friends know how, so we'll all basically be falling down or holding onto the rail. Haha! I'm not very good at balancing myself.





Got any tips/suggestions for what to do? How can I try to stand on the ice on my own? What should I do? What should I not do? How can I prevent falling down?





Thanks! :o)

I'm going ice skating for the first time, tommorow...got any tips???
First, dress in something warm that you can move around in. Layering is better - so you can take off an item if you get too warm. Gloves for sure as you'll find your hands will get cold quickly!





Second, make sure your skates fit snug and you lace them well (not too loose, not too tight).





You may want to skate holding on the rail anyhow . . . just so you can get used the the skates and you IN the skates! You might surprise yourself . . . you may do better than you expected!





When you have the confidence to get off the rails, stand with your knees slightly bent (they should always be slightly bent for balance) and your arms out in front of you like clock hands at 10:10. Then just go!





Everyone falls - no matter what level you are . . . it just happens. If you feel like you are going to fall, bend your knees a little bit (it's kinda instinctual to try to stand up - but that may make your fall worse by pulling you backwards!).





Just concentrate on having FUN! Have a blast!!
Reply:Wear padding, Lots and lots of padding.. on your Butt. Cause you're gonna spend a good deal of time sitting on the ice. Or if no padding, stay sitting long enough, so the impact zone will go numb from the cold.





Borrow your grandma's walker for the day or use blunt blades. Remember, its a lot better and safer to fall on your butt that face forward. A black and blue butt is a way better than a bump on the noggin or a scratched up face. Lastly, have fun and hold on for dear life to those friends that know how to skate, cause if you're going to fall, might as well take few others with you.
Reply:This is what I see sooo much in people that haven't ice skated before: They try to walk when you should be GLIDING. Just glide and forward each foot in succession and you should be alright. You can walk on the ice but it's easier to fall and takes more energy.
Reply:I suggest lessons.... for your safety.
Reply:Don't try to walk on the ice.


Push off with each foot.
Reply:my best advice is not to be afraid of falling


take risks,


nothing to terrible can happen if u fall


u'll just laugh it off laughter
Reply:Make sure that you wear proper clothing which would be a t shirt with a jacket, gloves, thin nylon or polyester socks that go high enough that the skates won't rub and give you blisters (at least from the top of the skates), and wear knit pants, not jeans. Make sure to try to use your arms to balance yourself, and just do what you feel comfortable doing. You should start to get a little more comfortable on the ice as you skate a little longer, but depending on how you feel you are doing you may or may not want to try leaving the wall. It's hard to prevent falling...in fact my coach tells me that falling means you are getting better so just be prepared to fall maybe a few times. Good luck!
Reply:I'll start at the bottom: don't worry about falling down - just try to land on a butt cheek.





Make sure you get skates that fit, and don't wear heavy/double socks. Wear normal socks and tie the skates tightly. If they're loose, your feet will slip and make you fall.





Hold onto the wall with one hand - keep the other out for balance. Start by taking small steps, like marching. Then, march and glide on two feet. Once you've gotten that down, you can try gliding one foot at a time.





Bring gloves and a jacket, wear comfy clothes - no jeans.





Good luck!
Reply:well don't be afraid to fall dow...i was the first time i ice skated but it doesn't hurt too bad. i would first start out by skating around the edge of the rink a couple times while holding onto the banister just to get used to it. then try skating slowly to the center and hold your hands out for balance. it should be pretty easy to balance after a while. then i guess it kinda just comes to you. good luck and have fun!
Reply:awesome, skating with friends is a blast =)





*don't lean backwards!


*make sure you don't look down at the ice too much


*keep your knees bent, shoulders back, head up


*if you like, put your arms out at shoulder height for balance


*if you're not confident stay near the barrier at first


*avoid the middle of the rink, its where a lot of people practice spins


*if you're a complete beginner, point your toes out, heels together and just practice walking like a penguin, just small steps at first. might feel weird but helps =) once you get more confident talk longer glides on each skate. don't try walking like you would on land, you wont get anywhere, so try to angle your skates out a bit


*if you feel like you're going to fall backwards, put your hands on your knees and squat down a little


*if you do fall backwards tuck your chin to your chest to avoid hitting your head and try to land on your butt or hip and roll a little. makes the fall not so big =)


*to get up once down, kneel then put one knee up and lean on it with both hands and push yourself up. don't put your hands on the ice! someone might skate over your fingers....


*make sure your skates give you lots of ankle support but they shouldn't be so tight that they affect your blood flow. your foot shouldn't slip about in the skate. if it does try a smaller skate size


*don't wear thick socks. thin ones or stockings are good


*dress warmly, take some pictures and have a great time with your friends =D





hope this helps a bit. if you need more advice ask your friends to help =)
Reply:Dont try too much too quickly for you might end your night sooner than planned.





Try not to hit your head on the ice or your rear end too hard.





Best advice though:





HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:if u dont kno how 2 skate dont do it that much when u might end up falling
Reply:It's like rollerskating, only slipperier. Constantly moving helps your balance. Try not to stop in the middle of the ice or hold onto other people. Most of all, have fun.
Reply:start off by not being nervous about it -its fun honest!the best thing to do is to begin by taking short steps as if you were walking until you feel confident that you have maintained your balance then just slide your feet a little at a time.It also helps to hold onto something in the beginning,either the barrier or a friend.Good luck and enjoy
Reply:If it's your first time, you will fall a few times. Knee pads and elbow pads are a good idea.





I'm 50 and I've skated/played hockey since I was 5. Youll love it once you get the hang of it.



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