- Joined
- Nov 29, 2020
Hi all, I've been lurking in the GS boards for some time now but this is my first post, I apologize in advance if this is too wordy and if anything is incorrect in format!
Some background for this topic: I'm just getting ready to begin learning to skate as a 30yo adult and newly retired professional dancer. I've been wanting to skate for years but save for a couple series of basic skills lessons back when I was 8-9, adding skating into the mix has been on the back burner since I'm pretty sure my doctors and PT team would've put me in a straight jacket. Now that I'm not dancing anymore I'm eager for new challenges (just for enjoyment this time, and a new vocabulary of movement, feelings and technique) to finally get out on the ice. Which brings me to the preparation stage...
I've been saving up funds this semester and am planning to go for a fitting to purchase boots/blades at my soon-to-be rink's Pro shop in January. After some discussions with the rink, I'm also planning to begin private lessons as soon as scheduling and funds allow. From reading fitting guides and discussions all over the place, it sounds like having a proper fitting is the only place to start, but even before I get there, I was hoping to see if anyone here might have experience or advice with a couple areas of concern.
I've incurred quite a litany of injuries while dancing, (one factor for wanting to begin with privates to account for these and work on a more individualized timeline) one of the more recent of which was a vertical achilles tear. Although it's been nearly three years, no amount of post-op physical and laser therapy have restored it to "original factory settings" (ok wishful thinking!) by any stretch of the imagination. Tendonitis ranging from mild to severe has reared its head a number of times during the recovery process (admittedly while dancing through it) so this is on the radar as well. Although it's made immense improvements, my range on the right side is not what it used to be and there's been a strength imbalance between my two sides ever since. Without actively dancing every day now, I'm still working on strengthening at home, but I'm anticipating this imbalance will make itself known in all new ways on the ice soon.
I understand foot shape and size (plus true beginner status) should determine most of the factors in the upcoming fitting, but does anyone have any advice on particular aspects like boot stiffness, support, heel/ankle height varying by model, inserts or accessories that should be prioritized as well to help with this imbalance and hopefully reduce some underlying fear for re-injury? If inserts are recommended, should I purchase these in advance of the fitting to try them with the boots for sizing, or will this likely just drive the fitter mad? Any and all advice is welcome
Some background for this topic: I'm just getting ready to begin learning to skate as a 30yo adult and newly retired professional dancer. I've been wanting to skate for years but save for a couple series of basic skills lessons back when I was 8-9, adding skating into the mix has been on the back burner since I'm pretty sure my doctors and PT team would've put me in a straight jacket. Now that I'm not dancing anymore I'm eager for new challenges (just for enjoyment this time, and a new vocabulary of movement, feelings and technique) to finally get out on the ice. Which brings me to the preparation stage...
I've been saving up funds this semester and am planning to go for a fitting to purchase boots/blades at my soon-to-be rink's Pro shop in January. After some discussions with the rink, I'm also planning to begin private lessons as soon as scheduling and funds allow. From reading fitting guides and discussions all over the place, it sounds like having a proper fitting is the only place to start, but even before I get there, I was hoping to see if anyone here might have experience or advice with a couple areas of concern.
I've incurred quite a litany of injuries while dancing, (one factor for wanting to begin with privates to account for these and work on a more individualized timeline) one of the more recent of which was a vertical achilles tear. Although it's been nearly three years, no amount of post-op physical and laser therapy have restored it to "original factory settings" (ok wishful thinking!) by any stretch of the imagination. Tendonitis ranging from mild to severe has reared its head a number of times during the recovery process (admittedly while dancing through it) so this is on the radar as well. Although it's made immense improvements, my range on the right side is not what it used to be and there's been a strength imbalance between my two sides ever since. Without actively dancing every day now, I'm still working on strengthening at home, but I'm anticipating this imbalance will make itself known in all new ways on the ice soon.
I understand foot shape and size (plus true beginner status) should determine most of the factors in the upcoming fitting, but does anyone have any advice on particular aspects like boot stiffness, support, heel/ankle height varying by model, inserts or accessories that should be prioritized as well to help with this imbalance and hopefully reduce some underlying fear for re-injury? If inserts are recommended, should I purchase these in advance of the fitting to try them with the boots for sizing, or will this likely just drive the fitter mad? Any and all advice is welcome