What did you achieve this week

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Sadly not. It has a weird rubbery floor.

Shame.  The floor at Madison Heights is vinyl but works pretty well - not as nice as maple but better than some I have skated on.

[transmissionoftheflame]

Nothing achieved this week skating wise as I am in a non skating part of the world but I have been to the gym a lot so topped up on physical conditioning, injury prevention.

[WednesdayMarch]

Nothing achieved here, either, as I fell down the stairs and am very ouchy.

[transmissionoftheflame]

Oh dear, hope you recover fully from that.  My shoulder is still sore from a fall a few weeks ago, on the mend but takes time.  Have been making sure I move it so it doesn't seize up.

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I've achieved getting back to skating again after being away, and not breaking my wrist falling on it - due to trying to do stupid tricks in a moment of exuberant overconfidence having been away from skating for a while and coming back with something of a blank slate.  Nice to be suffering from too much confidence for once, rather than not enough!

[WednesdayMarch]

Well done. "Not dying" is the main objective!

I went to ice dance camp last week. I was rubbish. Haven't skated this week. Might skate next week. Might not. Who knows...?

[transmissionoftheflame]

Takes guts to go to a camp in my book- surrounded by people who are probably really good and being under public scrutiny. My last group lessons I just took the first thing we were shown and spent the rest of the session trying to master it.

[WednesdayMarch]

The ice dance camps in Bristol are very friendly and ideal for lower level dancers and those wanting to try ice dance. Guts not really required, unlike some of them others I see!

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I remember people used to rave about Jimmy Young's camps.  I used to watch him teach at the Palace - he seemed to know what he was doing.  Gary Beacom came to the Palace once, and Lorna Brown.  They both seemed to puzzle people a bit, though I've liked what I've seen of them on YouTube.


This may be all wrong but I'm not sure I really need lots more input.  I've had years of it and I like to think I am getting better results by making sure I am mindful when I skate, enjoying it, and doing it with music I love in places and at times that make me feel positive.  I could do with someone to film me now and again, or a big mirror.

[WednesdayMarch]

I remember people used to rave about Jimmy Young's camps.  I used to watch him teach at the Palace - he seemed to know what he was doing.  Gary Beacom came to the Palace once, and Lorna Brown.  They both seemed to puzzle people a bit, though I've liked what I've seen of them on YouTube.


This may be all wrong but I'm not sure I really need lots more input.  I've had years of it and I like to think I am getting better results by making sure I am mindful when I skate, enjoying it, and doing it with music I love in places and at times that make me feel positive.  I could do with someone to film me now and again, or a big mirror.

I knew Jimmy back in the late 80s in Slough, which was the place for ice dance. He was a brilliant teacher and we all loved him. His camps looked great.

We all benefit from the input of a good coach and the knowledge gained from seeing yourself skate should never be underestimated.

But you sound like you've got to a nice place with your skating.

[transmissionoftheflame]

I’ve had hundreds of hours of lessons and I agree I could not have got to where I am without them. But as time went on I found them less and less useful. I have had various coaches for skating and tennis and while all of them have been competent and have all left me with useful things, I have never felt completely comfortable with any of them. My daughter is the only person who provides help in a way that really appeals to me, and she lives far away. I guess I’m just difficult!