This isn't going to be a long post, but hopefully it will be a fun one! OK, so here goes for my list of 10 things a skater cannot live without!
❆ Skates ❆
No brainer, right?
❆ Comfortable training trousers/tights/jacket/etc. ❆
Your mind just went to the most comfortable piece of clothing you have in your skating kit. Mine is a pair of Banana Moon leggings, bought in 2000, and worn right up until I hurt my back in 2010. Some things just cannot be let go of!
❆ Wheatie Bags & Hot Water Bottles ❆
Because after a hard training session, and when everything hurts, warmth is the way.
❆ After-Competition Food Fests ❆
Pizza pig-out? Ice cream marathon in front of your favourite DVD? Post-competition food splurges taste soooo much better than any others!
❆ Big Hugs From Coach ❆
Need I say more? Making coach proud is a unique feeling.
❆ Tissues & Magic Gloves ❆
Although tissues cannot be used as magic gloves, the opposite is often true (what? Did no one ever tell you never to borrow a skater's gloves? ≧◠◡◠≦)
❆ Silicone Pads/Wraps ❆
Because feet get sore spots, and without these babies we'd all have blisters and holes!
❆ Headphones ❆
To block out the pre-competition noise, and world, while warming up.
❆ At Least 4 CDs of Program ❆
Because they always seem to go AWOL right before a competition!
❆ Clear Nail Varnish ❆
Stems tight ladders, stops chiffon fraying, can help hold beads and stones on just long enough to get through the competition, makes your hands look more polished, hardens lace ends to help thread them through holes... need I go on?!
What can't you live without?
Until next time, keep on skating!
XOXO
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Hi, I've just stumbled on your blog. Love your list. I would add ..... lip balm, water bottle, and travelling cup for that first cup of tea at 5.45 am!
Reply Delete@aylin dulagil oh yes! All great ideas! I especially love the tea at 5.45am point you make... tea can get a skater through a lot! Hehe! Happy skating and thanks for reading the blog Aylin XOXO
Reply DeleteHey, erm I'm kinda just starting out, been to my local rink 3 times this year when ive had time but I'm getting skates for my birthday and want to start is their any method at all too self teach or is coaching the only way?
Reply Delete@Sophie R thanks for writing! That's so exciting you are getting skates, congrats! It depends what you want to do in skating. I really wouldn't recommend self-teaching. If you don't know anything about skating, how can you teach yourself to bend in the knees, where to distribute your weight, what moves are best for your skill and technique, etc., you know? Going on the ice a few times and getting your balance and learning how to be sturdy on your skates is definitely something you can do alone, but if you want to learn anything further than that I'd recommend coaching. You don't need a lot to begin with - just book one lesson and take it from there. Remember, skating is supposed to be fun, so don't set yourself goals that are too hard and that will demoralise you in the beginning.
Reply DeleteAlso I would like to point out that your new skates will need "breaking in" (if you search the blog you'll find a post about it) and this will mean that you'll feel very stiff in your boots at first and bending in them will be a lot harder. A coach can help with this as they will be able to give you exercises to get your boots to soften up.
Hope that helps, come back and tell us how it went!
Gigi
XOXO