risport rf4 review

My new skates have finally arrived, they came on Tuesday and I haven't been able to take my eyes off them. (this is a lie as it is an old post but i thought I'd go with the original start)
No. Seriously I've had these boots now for months obviously, I haven't posted in ages and I think I got these in March maybe even earlier then that. any ways when I first got them. I was amazed at how tight they where, but I couldn't go up a size, there was already too much space in the toe. Now, I have a wide foot. It's sad but true. My feet are too wide for this boot. I suffered through it, not doing them up tightly and just baring the pain. Not the best of ideas, my right foot now has a constant tingle when ever I rub the ankle or rub sideways, I'd have it checked it out but its probably just a trapped nerve and will go in time (its not like I will have it for the rest of my life).
Now the tightness is the only problem I have had with these boots. Honestly, they are fan-freaken-tastic. so I got on the ice with my new boots doing skate UK level 9. I was in pain but could bare it, did my one foot spin, wait what! (literally was my reaction) It was beautiful, centred and lasted for ages. I was so surprised, I had never done one so well. I had been failing at spinning, but because of these awesome boots and blades it came off the back. here we are two- three months later, I have landed every jump, I am doing sit back spins. these boots are like miracle workers. they can support you jumps, they are stiff and keep your foot in place (might be because they are suffocating mine but meh). Don't worry about the pain, they work. I will never leave risport but I suggest you get them custom fit. I know it is expensive but if I don't have to worry about getting cramp or having aching feet and being able to skate to the best of my ability, it is more than worth it. I seriously think they are perfect for recreational skaters, if you want to do figures and your starting out these will take you from the very start to your NISA level four at least. I have fallen millions of times and they are still strong and I don't think that will change any time soon so buying your little kid first time skates, buy these. They are no doubt the best thing for beginners to intermediate. But once you become a pro I suggest something a little lighter maybe, as they are quite bulky, but don't worry. No one is really looking at your feet when you perform a double salchow are they. Also I love the silver heel, it is really futuristic and quite an original trait. I know one or two other boots have it. So if you ever need to be identified in you rink, they'll call you "the one with the silver heels", to me it sounds very flattering. If your not into that nick name there are other traits you will love about these skates, that you'll just have to experience when you buy them.
Remember to skate strong.

ladies Senior World Championships figure skating 2012

Hello there long time no see. XD 

Io I don't actually know how long it has been since I've done a post, but I have just been working hard on school work and ice skating it has taken up my entire life. I don't even watch TV. However I've been able to catch my favourite shows on iplayer and stuff.

On to more important matters at hand, rather than just my TV watching schedule. As we should all be aware the worlds figure skating championships just ended. and I think we can all agree on the women's competition was just devastating to watch. By the end even the commentators where droning out and upset by all of the performances. Obviously congratulations are in order for all of the women who placed. But there was not one single perfect performance. I think my favourite, close to perfect performance was Ashley Wagner, who really is still putting her heart into the sport and putting up a good competitive fight, unlike the other girls (not all but most), you can see those who where at the bottom of the chart after the short program fighting to get into the top ten and they possibly could. The big names had really let themselves down, and once Queen Yuna completely missed this entire season. But I am holding no judgement on Mao Asada. I honestly don't think I have the heart.

I would like to say a huge congratulations thought to the only British skater Jenna McCorkell for becoming 14th, coming to her highest once again in the world championships :| . Seriously people, her timing was all off, her body just looked wrong, there was no flow or real connection with her to the music, it was a sloppy performance, and I think it's time we put funding to a new skater to show the world once again that Britain has some true honest skating talents. I skate with girls who have to potential to be ten times better than what she is. obviously she has a life but she doesn't expect to win or come into the top ten, so she just skates to get a place so she can go back next year. She is almost done anyway, but she should be fighting to end her career with a bang. Britain has lost all their faith in her and it we want a new competitor (I personally think I could do it loool)

finally I have to say that I cried watching Asada skate. literally I just wanted to understand why she wasn't skating the way she used to and I was sitting there thinking to myself, I have no idea what it is like to loose your mother, no one I know has gone thorough that, I couldn't possibly imagine loosing mine and I just think that she cant take skating and dealing with this right now so her technique and ability has fallen and so has her confidence, because I know her mum spurred her on and was a huge reason to why she skated, I think she might have lost her fire. Mao will always be a fighter but I think she didn't want to compete without the challenge and that she couldn't push herself to give any more. my heart and prayers goes out to her family and I pray that she will find her fire and come back next season because I love Mao, she is one of my biggest inspirations and I dream of being able to skate like her one day. and though I have no idea what she is going through I know the world hasn't seen the best of her yet.

lets hope next Season will be better, for all the skaters and that we'll be welcoming some new faces to the sport, i am very exited to see Adelina Sotnicova in the senior world championships and I'm sure there will be quite a few others. maybe some new bits. Fingers crossed Skaters.

You know how the last entry states I have new skates on the way, well they where too small. Over a week ago, I finally sent them back and no, no they still haven't arrived! By the way the skates I got are the risport rf4, another girl at the rink has the same ones. I really like that they are non conformist, with there futuristic silver heel, instead of a wooden or black one. I really didn't know if I wanted them at first but after reading the reviews, they apply to my level, I'm already doing my jumps and waltz, salchow and toe loop and I've notice my boots trying to pull away from the heel, I recon if I continue they will look like I gave my skate a mouth and a pair of lips to match however i noticed the boots I have just don't wont to cooperate with me any more, it may because I haven't sharpened my blade for over six months and they've become rusty from not putting my soakers on or that the toe pick is basically non existent but honestly i think these boots have taken me as far as they can. I'm not extremely proud of myself because I still need to work on my confidence on the ice and all the other elements but after this Thursday, where I may have lied to school telling them I had a university interview to just go ice skating (probably the naughtiest thing I've ever done), when in actual fact, I went ice skating. so much improving has been done; backwards cross rolls, check. upright spin (at least six rotations) going into a scratch spin, check. backwards teapot, or how close but not quite yet. backwards drag, check. now needing to master kerrigan spiral, Mohawk, lutzs, loop and flip, table top and sit spin, have a successful backwards tea pot and I do want to do a camel spin more that two rotations, please god just give me more than two rotations. well that's it I reckon on my rant, but really this post is really about my admiration for Mao Asada, in my eyes the greatest women's figure skater in competition. I love Yuna, I just don't see why Mao keeps coming second hand to her. my condolences go out to her and her family after the loss of her mother in December 2011, but to come back and just compete with so much fire and drive to win after something so unimaginably devastating ( honestly not a good enough word) is unbelievable, I couldn't put myself in her shoes and do what she did, she is amazing and my skating hero. I will one day be as amazing as her. i was going to do an essay but I'll save that until i can really focus solely on her. be stand by and waiting. promise I'll post some of my own skating soon, but don't hold your breath nothing more than singles and flimsy spirals ( only the best ). hopefully when we next speak I'll have some gorgeous new skates.

New skates :D

they say the truth will set you free. So here it is. My truth is, even after finishing grade eight twice i felt compelled to skip grade nine and just do grade ten. yes i skip a level without a coaches consent. i just needed to start NISA passport levels ( bronze, silver and gold) or go straight to level one. I was tired of being behind when really i am just as good a skater (my spins need a lot of work and I'm not nearly as flexible but actual skating is top notch). So i didn't start private lessons and the coach i want to have lessons with is fully booked up ( dont' worry i have my eye on another). I have three weeks left of this term and i am putting in the hours i don't have any money right now but starting from next term it is ice skating twice a week, after school Wednesday and all day Saturday, and i have noticed putting in the effort pays off. My spiral is at a 100 degree angle right now and i am working on getting it higher and when i do I'll post a picture. I want to be better than all my friends and then i can relax ( I'm a little competitive). and quickly my old skates have been giving my grief, i cant spin on them my edges are either too sharp or too blunt. The insole is practically wood from how much I've used them (and too be honest is wasn't that much) and don't get me started on the toe pick, it's not a toe pick its a wavy freaking line. Also the rocker is like a quarter of a centimetre. Honestly, the most incapable skates in the world. utterly appalling performance especially at my ability, my toe loop looks like a freaking toe hop (if you could imagine such thing). So you can imagine my excitement at getting knew skates and if you can't, I am very excited and you'll be hearing from me soon. Preyeth with better performance. love

Streatham ice arena

As I think back, and get extremely excited, over starting the new ice skating term at the end of this month, I also have to reflect on the times that I spent ice skating at Streatham. though it was a pit. And I mean a miserable disaster of the remains to a building, the ceiling was peeling off, you could catch an STI sitting on the toilet seat and I once saw a rat ( yes I know they are everywhere, but this one had surfaced indoors), so I never ate from there again. I also think of all the people I've met, talked to and been friends with. now it's gone for a while and by the time that it's built up again, I'll probably be on to other things and it's hardly likely that I will be skating there anymore. So I commemorate this post to the old Streatham ice arena.

It opened it's door and south London to the world of ice skating in 1931. Over the years it has coached some of London's most talented ( I should know, I am amidst them), including it's home Hockey team. The redskins, one of London's, if not one of Britain's best ice Hockey teams. Sadly after a strong eighty year run, the building had to be demolished to make way for a new leisure centre, that will still be hosting an ice rink, but the focus seems to be that there will be a Tesco built into it. I don't know if that is really anything to celebrate. however the idea that ice skating could possibly become a work out at the gym and a swim too is rather exciting to me. So on Sunday the 18th of December 2011, Streatham held their closing gala. where many of it's talented figure skaters, ice dancers and hockey players, skated on possibly the Ice the first skated on for the last time. undoubtedly, an emotional time for all, but as we say goodbye, we can remember all the skaters that have come and gone with the rink. from those who first came to Streatham at the age of twelve, skating for the first time in 1931 to those who are more recent passers, who maybe began skating a year ago and already consider the ice their home and  those who go to the ice rink her family.

we fall

we spin 

and we smile 

But most of all we have the time of our lives. we love you Streatham ice arena and you will be missed. thanks for the memories.

Goal and Ambitions *re-evaluation

I have spent the past 24 hours obsessing over the 2010 Olympic ladies figure skating circuit, I have watched performance after performance ( though I have a psychology exam on Thursday) watching technique and there level of execution, their drive and also their performance. knowing my favourite and one to win was always Mao Asada I have been repeatedly watching her Long program. It is amazing. Though she only came second, by quite a few points I've  feel as though her program is definitely one of my favourites. so my main goal after watching that program is to achieve her flexibility and power. if  you hadn't seen,  her first triple jump was so high, I struggle to get my second rotation off ice (I can only achieve singles on ice) and I know if I work on the power in my legs I will also be able to get that height. i also have an timed goal. i am currently only executing a standard arabesque spiral on ice, in three months time on the 13th of April I want to achieve the first spiral sequence in her Olympic long program. right now I'm not too far off but I still have a long way to go, that means long early mornings of hard static stretching. If I just start to freeze in the street you know why. I'm on this.

these images display perfectly what Mao is about, you can see the power and flexibility. these are the two positions i want to achieve. Also the connection with the music to the audience is on the money, I love Yuna's program but this program was spot on in my opinion.

Skaters and athletes I need your help!

Due to my leg injury I have found my flexibility has decreased and I am finding it difficult to do simple stretches that i used to. I've always been stronger on one leg, but this injury has been affecting all of my flexibility. I haven't done the splits since the day I did my injury. I think more than anything I am scared to try. so i need some advice. what warm ups I could do so I feel more comfortable stretching. what light stretches I could do so I don't feel like my leg is on fire every time I go into one.
I used to know my body and it's limits very well, but now I feel as though I am starting from the beginning again. as my fitness is going to affect my jumps and speed, whilst my flexibility will effect my artistry. I feel like my spins are the only thing that can progress, but I'm having trouble practising because of the lack of ice time. I am confident that I'll be able to skate in my rinks next gala and probably be better than a few of my friends because of my determination and dedication to practise to better my skills but I want my flexibility to be at a standard of a wow factor. also my parents have never seen me skate and I want my Dad to feel that all the money he has put into me and my sister doing this has been worth it.
Don't worry about being shy to post videos from youtube or comment from your own personal experience. I need all the advice I can get because I am aiming high here and I wont lower my expectations of myself. I know I'm sounding very assertive and serious about this but that's only because I am passionate about it. So I would be very grateful for any type of advice you could give me.
However I am glad to announce that I have one more week until I can have my first lesson of the year, sadly it wont be private until text term because my sister and I are at very different levels. I am adamant that I am a confident grade 10 skater, I am top of my class and if I don't push myself to the next level I will be stuck doing minimal things. and not challenging my skills to be developed faster will only make it harder for me to compete because it will be ages until I finish bronze silver and the rest of that lot. so i offer the advice of confidence to all of you out there. even if your not a figure skater in training, you you are passionate about something and you believe in it, no matter how impossible it sounds or people believe it is, if it's your passion and what you what to so, be bold and confident and don't let others tell you what to do because, at the end of the days, It's your life, and you should gamble what you want with it, playing it safe never made champions. So to my powerful skaters I thank you in advance for you advice and ideas, and you will be seeing me around much sooner than you think.

Am I missing something!

I've always known that figure skating is an expensive sport, but somethings just take the biscuit!
I've been off ice for a while and as the weeks are slowly arriving where I have to start training again, and I am all out of clothes to train in. immediately I remember the gorgeously decorated leggings one of my skating sisters wore last year. They looked like ordinary Lycra leggings and had silver, studded diamonties going along one side. She had mentioned at the time, they where expensive, but expensive leggings to me is around £30 max. So I was in complete shock and horror when my eyes scrolled across a website page, selling figure skating training kit and saw £50!
So there it is. The reason I gave up ice skating.
I'm completely kidding. I haven't given up. I'll just hit up Primark and buy four pairs (it still doesn't even scratch the surface of that price). However,there is something I need answered. Why? Why are those extortionate merchants selling me leggings double their actual price? I love ice skating but if I don't get a job really soon, I doubt I'll be able to afford it for much longer.

First things first

For Christmas I got an off ice spin trainer. I wanted one for so long, so badly, even though all the reviews online weren't saying great things, but for some reason the thing with me and reviews online is that, I'm the complete opposite, always. When I came to buying my phone people where saying great things about it and it turns out, that all I can use it for is a paper weight (and a cracked one at that). From this you should have probably gathered that the spin trainer has been working wonders for me. I admit, yes, I fly of it most of the time but when I get the spin down I can feel where I've been going wrong and looking at videos of me from before Christmas, I can notice a huge difference, for example, I am so much lower on my sit spin and I can also do a broken leg spin, not quite as awesome as Elizaveta Tuktamysheva's, but come one, she's a thirteen year old prodigy. But all these new spins I can do doesn't mean anything unless I can do them on the ice too. If I can, all the girls at the rink will be surprised. They better watch out because they might have some unexpected competition on their hands (though it's competition we still love each other). 

Also I have to be tracking my fitness and flexibility. Sadly I was showing off at a party recently. We had been dancing in a circle and being at a party, with all my peers naturally I show off. I can do over splits really well on one leg, but the other it's like such a struggle. Silly me forgets this at a party. Bang I go straight down on the not so developed legs. The crowd goes wild. I smile as if I’m ok but I have badly pulled a muscle. It was shaking when I was just sitting down the next day, luckily for me it was a Saturday and I wasn’t going anywhere. This happened on December 17th 2011. And until today January 11th 2012 I find it extremely painful to get into my normal splits or even train my spiral off ice. To all you young skaters out there I am warning you, know your physical limit. Luckily I wasn't skating the next day or for a few weeks potentially a month later. Never the less I am way out of shape and out of practice. Being subject to school life and stressful exams as well I haven’t had time to work out, take care of myself and stretch every morning as I would usually do so I will mark where I am in terms of fitness from Friday 13th of January 2012, and keep you updated every 13th. Looks likes I am in for some very unlucky days this year. Pray for me my graceful skaters.

                              
 

Goals and Ambitions

So today, January 11th 2012, marks the day I begin my figure skating journey. I have been ice skating for just over a year now but I feel like I am progressing in a slow rate. Therefore I created this blog to show my improvement, in hope it will help me to progress even faster. I have been following figure skating internationally for the past three years and following the sport gave me another reason to write a skating blog. I am also hoping to get some advice to help this progression increase faster. 
I am currently just beginning the Bronze level and taking private lessons at my rink, which has recently moved. I haven't actually seen the new venue, but, I am very excited to break in my brand spanking new home (with brand spanking new skates), with my skating family on the 21st. Yeah, yeah I know for a skater being off the ice for three weeks isn't good, as I've noticed my fitness has weakened greatly over Christmas (it was all those pies), therefore effecting my performance on the ice. so join me all you beautiful skaters, of all experiences, and we can embark on this challenging yet thrilling ice adventure together.