Here's how I rack and stack skaters.
"ice tourists" Show up a couple of times a year, usually between November and March, for fun. Never take lessons.
"beginner skaters" People in basic skills class, who may be regulars, but don't own their own skates.
"casual skaters" Committed skaters who regularly show up year round in their own skates, but don't take private lessons.
"recreational skaters" Own their own skates, take private lessons. Don't test.
"test skaters" These skaters are like recreational skaters, but are involved in a test program.
"competitive recreational skaters" Not only do these skaters test, but they work on programs, and go to competions.
"competitive skaters" These are the skaters (usually younger) who are on the track for passing the required tests for entering qualifying competitions.
"elite skaters" These are the 1000 or so skaters who compete in international competitions.
"synchro" Amazingly talented skaters at all levels who love to compete as a team.
So in October I was a "test skater". Now I'm a "casual skater".
Lo, how the mighty have fallen.
Stupid knees...
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| Rudolph, I share your pain. |
I'm a recreational skater, and probably will remain at that stage. I have no desire to test or compete. I would like to learn a program to music, but only for my own enjoyment. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, people like us who may have a program for something like a local ice show, or in a character role like me, as Death, we kind of fall between worlds. I think I'm going to be a casual skater for months.
DeleteThere's another group I didn't know how to categorize--regular skaters who use rental skates. I've never met any, but they must exist.
I'm sorta between your "recreational skaters" and "test skaters" as I do take private lessons and am working on mastering the USFSA adult test items, but am not planning on formally testing. (I don't skate at, or below to a skating club; I skate at municiple and private rinks.) I don't quite see the value in formally testing (and stress and extra expense of doing so) at this point, but I like having the well defined set of skills to master. I'd like to someday learn a program, for my own enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteAround here we have quite a few ice tourists that own their skates (there are quite a few rinks with no rentals) and take a group lesson session or two during the colder months. But, mainly they go to public sessions to have fun with friends.
Best wishes for continued (and rapid!) improvement in your knees. :-)
erg - make that "belong to a skating club"
DeleteI'm a casual skater but the sort who's not afraid to bust a couple bones to get where he wants to go! I still take group lessons (Thursday nite adults = 3 people so lots of individual attention from the coach; sort of the same cost savings mentality as going to a lightly populated public using my frequent skater card discount rather than spending over the odds for a busy free style session) and also take a Saturday morning power stroking class (sort of a huge group lesson taken at high speed). Maybe someday I'll feel that I'm good enough to warrant private coaching but there's still lots to learn before that. Hope the knee(s) get better soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good division of types of skaters. There's always those who fall between the categories, but that covers most of them.
ReplyDeleteTest skater, most definitely.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere between a casual and recreational skater.
ReplyDeleteDid enough competitions, eisteddfods & exams (Ballet, Gymnastics, Piano, Flute, Violin) as a kid. My music degree totally killed off any desire to perform.
The Ice Show was fun, made my family proud. Not sure if I'll do it again however. Ask me in October!
I just got start skating at the ripe young age of 59 but see myself as a recreational or "light" test skater. I will probably do some tests to challenge myself. However since I just finished Adult 1 last week and start Adult 2 after Labor Day I still have a ways to go before I worry about that.
ReplyDelete