What To Know for Your First Figure Skating Competition
Preparing for your first figure skating competition isn’t just a milestone– it’s a celebration of your hard work, dedication, and passion. As you prepare to showcase what you’ve learned and take this pivotal step on your journey, it’s natural for a flutter of nerves to accompany the anticipation. Having a firm grasp on what to expect for your first figure skating competition will help ease any potential anxiety and allow you to glide onto the ice with full confidence. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the essential preparations and details every figure skater needs to know before their first competition.
Mastering the Basics and Routine Practice
Mastering the basic skills you’ll be demonstrating lays the foundation for a successful and fun competition. But beyond perfecting your turns, jumps, and spins with precision and grace, you’ll also need to rehearse your entire routine from start to finish as if you were competing. Wear your competition outfit, style your hair as you plan to during the event, and practice every detail before the competition.
Not only will your routine become as natural as breathing by the time you’ve practiced it a few times, but this also presents an invaluable opportunity for finding any flaws for weak spots in your preparation. It ensures you’re comfortable in your outfit, know how to style your hair properly so it stays in place, and gives you the confidence of knowing you’ve already successfully completed your routine.
Understanding Event Details
Knowledge is power, and understanding the finer details of the event will significantly boost your confidence. Make sure you do your research to understand what’s expected before, during, and after the event.
Then, it’s helpful to do your research about the location itself. Plan your route ahead of time to ensure you arrive in plenty of time. Learn about the parking options and the schedule of the event. Creating a mental plan of how you expect the day to go, from the moment you get in the car until the moment you leave the rink, will ensure you’re not just physically ready but also mentally in the zone.
Also, don’t forget to sync up with your coach’s schedule! Your coach is your best resource, and aligning with their availability during the event ensures you get the support and advice you need when it matters the most.
Preparing Physically & Mentally
Aside from mastering the basic skills and moves of your routine, there are plenty of things skaters should do to prepare physically. It’s essential to choose your competition outfit, hairstyle, and makeup carefully. You want everything to be within regulation, but you also want them to help you feel confident and graceful on the ice.
Choosing an outfit that fits comfortably and a hairstyle that’s easy to do will go miles in helping you feel prepared for the big day. The last thing you want is to struggle with a difficult hairstyle or fret over time spent on makeup. Stick with simple options that you feel good about.
Preparing physically is only half the battle. Your first figure skating competition is certainly a test of your physical abilities, but all competitions have a powerful mental component. The best way to boost your confidence and develop a calm mentality is to practice, practice, practice! This means practicing your routine from start to finish, practicing positive affirmations, and practicing getting dressed, doing your hair, and doing your makeup to ensure you’re comfortable with every step of the process when the big day arrives.
Remember Your Competition Checklist
Most things in life are made easier by a simple checklist. All you need to do is create a skate kit that contains all the essentials you might need on competition day. Double check your kit against your checklist before you head out, and you’ll feel confident to address any issues that might arise. With this checklist, nothing will stand in your way on competition day!
So, when you’re packing your skate kit, make sure to include:
- Your skates, guards, soakers, and extra laces
- Competition costume and back-up costume
- Extra pair of tights, hair accessories, and makeup
- Competition information such as event times, practice ice, parking information, hotel reservations, etc.
- Gloves, warm up jacket, blanket
- Screwdriver
- Skate polish
- Nail polish remover
- Band-aids
- Good luck charms
Extra Tips for Success
Even with all your research complete, your routine perfected, and your skate kit packed, it’s understandable to still feel that bubble of nervous anticipation. It’s a key element of any competition, and it’s that feeling that makes getting out on the ice and perfectly executing your routine so satisfying! Among the many tips for your first figure skating competition we’ve already mentioned, here are a few more:
- Plan a light meal before the competition with fresh fruits or vegetables and some protein to ensure you have plenty of energy without feeling weighted down.
- Make sure you arrive at least one hour ahead of time, and ensure your schedule is synched with your coach’s.
- Ask someone to record the competition for you. Not only does this provide you with a wonderful memory of the day, but it will also give you the opportunity to analyze your performance for ways you can improve for future competitions.
- Skate with confidence. Smile at the judges and the audience.
- Above all– remember to have fun!
Stay Prepared with Riedell
Your equipment is just as important as your routine during your first figure skating competition. Having the right skates for competitions ensures you have the right tools to help you succeed. Boost your confidence and your performance with high-quality skates by Riedell.