If you haven’t already, then you probably will.

Falling on ice is something we should embrace. The reality is that as beginners - we may as well accept that if we are going to skate, we are going to fall. It is unavoidable. Unfortunately, many of us fear falling because we associate it with injury.

“Good news”

Thankfully, most falls do not result in serious injury. Falling awkwardly can result in injury but as part of the Skate UK programme, we are taught how to fall. This gives us the confidence to progress and we live to tell the tales, returning to the rink week after week.

The coaches recommend that we practise the ‘basics’ of skating, in between lessons, while things are still fresh in our minds. Just remember that even Olympic figure skaters fall; so I think as beginners we can be forgiven for taking a few tumbles.

“British Figure Skating Champion shares his tips with us”

Three times British Skating Champion, John Hamer, based at Alexandra Palace Ice Rink says:

‘I would say that a beginner needs to remember that they are not walking on the moon. Skating is an illusion. It appears that we do the great bit strides, but in actual fact, we always bring our feet close together in between each push.

A beginner who does not yet understand how to push on the ice is advised to keep their heels together and their toes turned out and do very small, gentle, "penguin steps".'

“Keep calm and skate on”

The universal message from the coaches, is that whatever stage we are at on the Skate UK programme, we should practise, practise and practise. We just need to accept that falling is part of making progress.

So let’s continue to enjoy skating and falling gracefully.

“For more information”

Visit, http://www.alexandrapalace.com/ice-rink/ice-skating-courses/week-term-time-courses/ or dial tel:020 8365 4386.

“Your experiences on ice”

Which Skate UK Level are you working towards?

Feel free to share your ice skating experiences with us by entering your comments in the box below.