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Sierra On Ice

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SO YOU WANT TO ICE SKATE? Perhaps you always wanted to ice skate like Sierra from the moment you saw it on T.V.. Or perhaps you never considered ice skating because you just didn't know enough about it. Great! You've come to the right place. This is Sierra's Ice Skating Awareness page, which is her way of giving back to her community by educating them all about the sport of figure skating.

On this page, we'll attempt to address some of the more important stuff about the sport. As there is no way possible to include every single aspect, if there's something that is not addressed here, please feel free to send an email to sierraonice@yahoo.com, and we'll do our best to answer it. Remember, neither Sierra or her parents are experts on ice skating as we have just begun this journey not long ago ourselves. However, what we don't know personally, we have the resources to find out. So, please feel free to ask.

ICE SKATING AS A SPORT: Surprisingly, because of the elegance and gracefulness of the sport, some people don't look at Ice Skating as being a real sport such as, basketball, soccer, tennis, football or baseball. They probably figure that it looks more fun and danty then anything else. Well, we're here to tell you that Ice Skating is a sport just like basketball, soccer, tennis, football or baseball, and ice skaters are considered athletes. Just like some of the other sports, Ice skating takes coordination, balance, endurance, fitness and strength. Matter of fact, not only is ice skating a great way to have fun, but it's also an excellent source of exercise as well. This sport also aids in helping to build a tremendous amount of confidence and self esteem.

THE HISTORY OF ICE SKATING: Do you want a little historical background on skating and it's origin? View the following web sites for more information:

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED IN ICE SKATING? Beginners start learning to ice skate by enrolling in Learn To Skate classes at a local ice rink in their city or town. Group classes are the best way for a skater that's just beginning to learn the fundamentals of ice skating. For more information regarding Learn to Skate classes, please visit the USFSA web site.

Once a beginner has advanced through group classes, private lessons can be added as a supplement to the group classes. Once a skater has progressed / advanced past group classes and these classes are no longer needed, private instruction continues. Private lessons are arranged by the skater/parent and a personal coach. Careful consideration should be given in the selection of a personal coach, especially if the skater is wanting to advance through the competitive ranks of the sport. To view information on selecting a coach, please visit the following web site: Ice Skating World.

WHAT ARE THE COST FACTORS INVOLVED IN ICE SKATING? Ice Skating is not one of the least expensive sports in the sports world. But as it is with anything, there is a cost! Especially if it's a life long pursuit or aspiration.

For the beginner, group classes range any where from $70.00 - $90.00 for a 6-8 semester, with each class being 30 minutes in length. This does not include the price of skate rentals if you don't own a pair of your own. However, this price does include one free public session per week, where you are allowed to practice what you have learned. If you decide to supplement the group classes at some point with private lessons, private instruction ranges from $20.00 - $30.00 for a 20 minute lesson. This again, does not include the price of skate rentals nor does it include the price of ice time. Ice time varies per rink. But just to give you an example, Sierra's ice time for freestyle sessions is $8.50 each time she steps on the ice. Or we can purchase a card of 10 for $70.00. Public session times are $7.00. A price of $8.50 or $7.00 here and there is not that bad if you aren't planning on doing a lot of practicing. But if you're on the ice 3-4 times a week as Sierra is, it can add up pretty quickly!

Now, here is where it really gets costly. There are a lot more fees involved with the more serious and advanced ice skater. Listed below are just some estimated costs that have been averaged per year by a few skaters just to give you a general idea of the costs that are involved. Please bear in mind, that the training needs of each individual skater varies and this is by no means an actual assessment.

  • Skates = $1,400
  • Ice time = $5,000
  • Coaching fees = $15,000
  • Choreographer fees = $2,400
  • Music = $270
  • Costumes = $1,200
  • Practice clothes = $825
  • Off ice training (ballet, gymnastics, etc.) = $5,500
  • Travel to and from the practice rink = $600
  • Food and lodging at competitions = $5,000
  • Travel expenses for coach = $9,000
  • Hotel and tickets for family at a competition = $6,000
  • Photography and videotaping = $275
  • ANNUAL TOTAL = $43,470

So with all the costs that are involved, it is only wise to make sure that ice skating is something that your child really wants to pursue.

The training expenses listed above were taken from the Skaters Support web site.

In addition to the costs listed above, there are also membership dues associated with being a part of a figure skating club. Fees for this varies per club and is also based upon the skater's affiliation with a national governing body of his or her choice. In the United States, most figure skating clubs have an affiliation with either the USFSA (United States Figure Skating Club), or the ISI (Ice Skating Institute). In Canada, most clubs are affiliated with the CFSA.

USFSA vs ISI - Which is right for me? Both associations provide a structure for promoting and advancing amateur figure skating. However, the emphasis is slightly different for the two. The USFSA emphasis is primarily toward the competitive skater. This is also the path to take if the skater is interested in World and Olympic competition. The ISI on the other hand, emphasis is geared more toward the recreational and fitness skater. But although this is the case, they both offer something for the competitive as well as the recreational skater. The choice is simply up to the individual skater and should be determined based upon his or her individual goals. Also keep in mind that you don't have to make a decision on just one, as there is nothing that says you can't be a part of both associations. For example, Sierra holds membership in both the USFSA & the ISI and is able to compete under both.

For more information regarding USFSA & ISI, please view the following web sites:

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