A helping hand on the ice
When you take your first steps onto the Victoria Centre Ice Rink make sure you do it in style with a bit of help from our top coaches. Once again this year our outdoor rink is one of the only in the country to have coaching staff on the ice during all sessions.
So if you’re a beginner who wants to know how to make it round the rink without holding onto the side or you’d like to get some top tips to skate like a star, don’t forget to ask them for some help and advice.
To get you started we have caught up with the National Ice Centre’s top coaching team to get a few pointers to have your twirling with the best of them:
- Wrap up warm with gloves and layers but nothing bulky. You can always take off thin layers as you get warmer skating around
- Make sure your skates are the correct size as people tend to get them too big. Ideally they need to be the same as your shoe size or smaller – and pull on those thick socks for extra comfort
- Step onto the ice carefully, sideways and holding the barrier. This will stop you falling backwards
- To start skating, begin with your heels together and your toes out and ‘walk’! When this feels ok stay on each skate longer and you will begin to glide.
- And finally enjoy yourself and don’t forget to give all those spectators a wave as you whizz or slowly glide past!!
So there you have it. Follow these top tips and you’ll be impressing your friends and family in no time at all.
If you still want to learn a little bit more about skating, sign up to the National Ice Centre’s six week lessons – Skate UK.