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Lessons are key for fun while ice skating. Nothing is more embarrassing than going skating with your friends and clinging to the wall the entire time. Because most people never take skating lessons, even a morning workshop at your local skating rink will give you an *edge*. Impress your friends, your dates and yourself by learning the basics. Parents can give their kids a "leg up" in life by signing them up for skating lessons. Skating is like golf-if you learn the proper technique, you can always do it. You will get rusty without practice, but you will never lose the ability entirely. Skating is something everyone can do for their entire life. Investing in some lessons on the front end makes skating much more enjoyable.

To learn to skate, start with the phone book or internet. Find a local skating rink and phone them. Most rinks have classes for children and adults of all levels, but especially beginners. Beginners should sign up for a beginner classes and not feel embarrassed. Other people in the class will also be beginners, and you will be much more comfortable learning at your proper level.

After registering for classes, buy some skates. A basic pair of skates cost around $100 or less online. As an adult, ice skates will last forever. (Always wipe the blade dry after taking off the skates. Tuck laces in and keep in a dry place to prevent the blade from rusting.) Skating is essentially the act of careening around ice on a narrow blade with two razor-thin edges. Having your own skates makes a huge difference in your success and enjoyment of the activity. The "boot" is important to provide you with stability. Using your own boot is more comfortable, as it will eventually mold to your foot.

Having your own skates will also ensure that you always have sharp blades. Sharp blades are also key to successful ice skating. The "edges" of the skate allow the skater to "grip" the ice while skating. Skating without blades is like sliding around on the ice in shoes-slippery! All of your effort will go into staying upright, rather than learning technique.

When you go to your first lesson, wear comfortable, layered clothes and bring an open mind. As with everything, practice makes perfect, but learning to skate is half the fun!

Learn more about this author, Katherine Elzer-Peters.
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