Things only Figure Skaters Understand #18: Buying a New Skating Jacket

If you buy a new jacket and it's warm, and comfortable, and just the right fit--

There's always something wrong with the pockets

If you buy a new jacket and it's warm and fits, and the pockets are perfect--it's the butt ugliest styling in the history of mankind

I now have two jackets: The pink is fantastic--but the pockets--they're pointed backwards. The black is nice in the pockets and, but God is it ugly. 

Our Brave Beginner Adult Skaters Soldier On

Remember a few weeks ago when I described my rink's placement of adult freestyle during group? It's in the red area below. Adult beginners skate in the center circle, with freeskate skaters around them.

What it's like in reality.

My coach's expressions for various levels of my Figure 8's

Basic FO8 with a two stroke entry

Basic FO8 from a standstill, transitioning into a FI8

3/4 of the first half of a BO8 from a standstill

Yes, BO8 is much much harder.

"You almost did the first full circle of a BO8," she cried.

I swear she was so happy she was practically in tears

And I wasn't even deliberately doing a BO8