Long time and no speak!
So I have really proved to fail at this blog! I was going so well. Where to even start? I think the best way to present this blog post is to put it in sub categories as I have a lot to catch you up with!
My Progression
Well I completed my Skate Excellence Levels 1-8 and started my Skate UK Star! I actually even passed my Bronze grade around September- October time and started on my Silver level before taking almost a 3 month break! I would say I needed the break however I didn't and it wasn't intentional life just completely took over and one thing lead to another! I don't regret having the break either as at the time I was very happy in life but I missed skating crazily. I returned back to lessons in January just after new year and I've now passed my Silver Level and almost passed my Gold level (Thanks to Covid-19 the rink shut a week before I was due to pass). I've really progressed at a fast speed since being back and that's all down to gaining a private coach.
Private Lessons
When I did return to the rink in January I met a lovely coach who I had for group lessons, Penny. The first week I had her I asked if she did private lessons and she did! So I've been very lucky in gaining a private coach as well as having group lessons. Private lessons just give you a little bit more! My progression has been super crazy since January. I didn't even like jumping (even a little waltz lol) but now I'm gaining a lot more confidence to do all kinds of different jumps!
Jumps and Spins
A big part of the Skate UK program is the jumps and spins you have to do to pass the different grades. I'm very confident with all the jumps in the Skate UK program. There is 3 different ones and they are: Waltz/ Three Jump (Bronze), Single Salchow (Silver), and Toe loop (Gold). I'm that confident with them all my coach even started new different harder jumps with me such as loop and flip jumps! They're super scary! Ironically once I get the harder jumps I tend to prefer them! Even at Skate UK I prefer the Toe Loop over the Waltz Jump! The spins are another big part. You have a one foot spin and a back spin. The one foot spin has to have 4 rotations and you have to go into it correctly from backwards crossovers to pass. I was actually the only one to pass this when we got graded! The back spin, well that's hard and I do feel for my coach Penny she must've worked for ages with me on back spins but I can finally do 2 rotations on a back spin and you only need one to pass!
New Ice Skates
Where to start with this one? I had no intentions after my 3 month break to even look at new skates however the more jumps and spins I was learning and the more I was progressing the more I realised my current skates (Edea Overtures) really didn't fit me! They were almost 2 sizes too big! Which is crazy! After this and some influence from one of my very close friends who is also a skater I decided to go back to the skate shop and get new skates! I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted Jackson Debut Skates and John Wilson Coronation Ace! And that's exactly what I got! And I'm so in love with them! They're amazing skates! And most importantly they fit amazing!
With the current situation, I will post another post maybe next week detailing my off ice practise as I am lucky enough to have a spinner! I really am missing skating like mad. It keeps me going more than I know. I can't wait for the day I can get back but until then this is the new normal I guess!
Safe safe everyone,
Chloe Nicole x
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