Skating is a very popular sport, adults and children engage it. If you have not ever thought about joining the ranks of its fans it is never too late to do it. Skating is like dancing, you can learn at any age.
For example, a famous mathematician Sofya Kovalevskaya first came out on the ice as an adult, and it was so fascinating that in a few years Kovalevskaya became being considered as a virtuoso skater.
Besides the fact that skating makes us move more and be outdoors, it improves posture, coordination, knowledge of the body, makes our movements more plastic and expressive.
What should a newcomer do?
What you need to start is just a desire and a little bit of free time.
And skates, of course. The first time you are likely to take a skate rental - at least to understand whether you want to learn skating or not. But if you enjoy the ice and you decide to visit the rink on a regular basis, be sure to pick up your own pair of skates. And it is not only that your own skates is the same as the proper footwear: dry, clean, and it is your size, but also that in rolling skating, as a rule, the groove on the cutting edge needed in order to properly set foot on the ice and push off properly is completely smoothed out.
For riding regular skates braces, hockey, skates or skates for the free skating will do well. Each type of skates best fits for a certain purpose. So figure skates (with a serrated blade on the toe) have a shoe made of leather or kozhzama, they are warmer than synthetic hockey, but heavier and are designed to perform the most intricate pirouettes. Hockey skates are easier figured in "strategic areas" and reinforced and protect the feet from getting the puck. And skates for a free ride, not specialized for one particular sport, insulated inside, soft outside, they may have teeth at the toe, but may not have, without special protection for the ankle and toes - in short, they are perfect for relaxing rest on the rink.
In general, skates choosing is important and is a subject of a separate article, but now we are talking only about your first steps on the ice.
Where to go skating?
Skating rinks of course. There are special as everyone knows skating rinks - both open and closed. Private ice skating rinks are made of soft water, free from impurities, so it better to slip on. Locked skating rings are good and they can be used in any weather, all the year round, and they are equipped with dressing rooms and clothes lockers. At a public skating rink it may not be so comfortable, and before going there just pre-think what you will wear, how to be dressed and where to put clothes during the riding.
In your first outing at the rink you will be more convenient if there would be few visitors: it is easier to overcome stiffness, and ride more spacious. You can choose a crowded ice rink at non-peak times. To be sure you can bring a more experienced friend with you or ask for help from a trainer who can be present at the same rink. However, it is not necessary:??if you believe in yourself and have a normal physical form, it is able to learn the wisdom of the skating itself.
Remember that the movement at the rink is counterclockwise. Do not break this rule and do not ride "against the stream" - that you create a danger to themselves and others.