Your 2024 skating goals

[VisuallyImpairedOnIce]

Thought I'd start a thread seeing as lots of people are probably winding down for the year in terms of skating.


On ice, off ice, whatever your goals, come and share them here!



I need to re-assess my 2024 goals with the backspin finally improving, that was the first goal of 2024, to get that ticked off.


I suppose the first goal is the British in March - new free program, and giving my artistic and free dance another outing. Plan on going to see dance coach in January and did also mention having a look at the level 1 dances...


So I suppose, in terms of tangible goals:
- keep up with my off ice stretching (5 minutes a day, 5 days a week)
- Start working on level 1 pattern and free dance
- Continue work on level 1 skating skills - main coach has me doing something from these every week anyway, so they're not brand new
- Start looking towards a level 1 free program
- Get some new elements under my belt:
Jumps - loop and flip
Spins - sit and camel


- Blackpool competition in March/April, maybe Sheffield again in September if they run it. Also aiming to put something in virtually for the next Inclusive Skating competition in April.


-In an ideal world, test level 1 skating skills by the end of the year, maybe the pattern dances if they're ready. I think free program and free dance will be a longer term thing in terms of them being test ready.


All of this is subject to coaches agreeing to them, so may change


So, feel free to share your 2024 goals here

[transmissionoftheflame]

That's an impressive set of goals - have fun working towards them!


My main goal is to skate more.  I've also restarted lessons after a long break so I will do everything I can to make that a positive experience for both of us.


I would like to get to a point where I can do a backwards run round a corner, with confidence, clockwise and anti-clockwise, even if there are people near me, so I will be doing a lot of those.  Something like what these people are doing: Scenario 2018 Fastbackwards Styles Call (youtube.com)

[black]

Like transmissionoftheflame, for me; try and get some more ice time in for 2024.

I've also heard a number of stories about long lead times for new skates, so I should probably plan ahead..

Depending on how things go; perhaps do some partnered skating again.

And yeah; off ice: flexibility can always improve.

[VisuallyImpairedOnIce]

Yes I've heard of the issues with getting hold of new skates - mine will be 2 years in April and when I was fitted I was advised that, with what I do on the ice (dance and free) and my weight, realistically I should get 2 and a half years out of my boots before I need to start considering replacement. My worry is, with every other pair of Jacksons I've had, it's the internal support that goes for me and I go from "these are fine!" to "I need new boots!" almost in an instant.


Backwards runs - they look interesting. More "dance-y" steps are definitely something I want to develop in 2024.
I am definitely going to have some fun with that goal list, that's for certain. I was always told "goals have no expiry date" though, so if I don't get them this year, it's not the end of the world.

[transmissionoftheflame]

The thing about backwards runs which is sort of good and bad is that it seems very easy to go very fast without putting much effort - it's fun but if like me speed freaks you out a bit, it's hard to relax.  I need to get much better at looking over my left shoulder - my right I could look over all day, the left is shaky.