I first stepped onto ice when I was two years old and then went on to figure skate competitively for the next 13 years. There were definitely many ups and downs throughout those years, and a large "down" ultimately lead me to quit the sport I put the majority of my life into. It's been a while since I've slapped my skates on, but trust me. Once you've experienced the crazy world of competitive figure skating, you learn all the common misconceptions that the general population has about the sport. Here are some facts that you probably didn't know.
1. There are four different disciplines
The four types are singles, pairs, ice dancing, and synchronized. Each discipline is very different from the next.
Singles is the "classic" type of skating and most likely the first type that you picture. You may have not known that other disciplines even existed. Singles skaters execute jumps, spins, and footwork.
Pairs skating is this absolutely crazy circus act of danger that involves two skaters, one male and one female. They perform jumps, spins, throws, and lifts. It involves all the difficulty of singles skating, while also requiring synchronicity, partner work, and incredible strength.
Ice dancing also involves one male and one female, and it focuses almost entirely on edge quality and intricate footwork.
Synchronized skating involves a large team of skaters that focus on formations as a group and obviously, synchronicity.
2. You must start at a young age
Like I said, I started when I was two. I don't actually think I've met anyone in competitive skating who started after they were maybe eight years old, but even that's pushing it. Learning how to skate is like learning how to walk. What if you started walking when you were in middle school?
3. Your entire life is devoted to training
The standard amount of time spent on the ice is three hours a day, six days a week. During the school year (high school and younger), skaters have to wake up at 5:00 am to get to the rink and on the ice by 6:00. You have to skate before school, after school, and sometimes even during school (if you have gym waiver) in order to get all your ice time in for the day.
4. Off-ice training is also extensive
You thought all ice skaters only trained on the ice? Ha. Very funny. Everything you see on the ice is typically trained off-ice first. Most skaters also train in ballet, yoga/pilates, and attend regular workout sessions. People tend to assume that figure skaters are delicate, but in reality, they are ripped.
5. There is no such thing as an "off season"
Unlike other sports, figure skating involves year-round training. While athletes in other sports may continue working on their own training during off season, skaters maintain the same routine all year long. Technically there is a "competition season" which is mid-Summer to Fall, but that is definitely not the only season you would be training. You can only take more than one day off of skating if you are injured.
6. You get a lot of bruises
Black, purple, blue, sometimes even green. All of these are the colors of bruises that appeared regularly on my skin. Skaters fall all the time. It's normal. You exert so much force to throw yourself into the air, and if you don't land perfectly, all of that force gets slammed onto your bones when you hit the ice. A whole lot of ugliness goes into the beauty that you see in competitions.
7. It's insanely expensive
This sport will drain all of your money. Your ice time, coaches, skates, dresses, off ice training, competition fees, traveling, etc. costs more than your soul. Bye money.
Although I quit skating in high school, it has made me extremely disciplined in life; for that, I'm very grateful. Figure skating takes so much effort to look effortless, and it's time that more people see how much work is really put in. Keep this in mind the next time you decide to watch it in the next Olympics!
