🚀 go-pugleaf

I am enjoying reading about other skaters on this list.  I have just
recently subscribed to this news group because my daughter is getting
seriously into skating.

She is 5 years old and has been skating nearly 2 years.  She is working on
passing Delta at the moment and preparing for a competition next week.  She
really seems to enjoy skating but I think what hooked her was doing her
first solo exhibition about a year ago.  She couldn't believe everyone was
clapping for her!  Since then she has been hooked and likes to skate all
the time and watches it whenever it is on tv.

She has competed in 3 competitions and has won 4 gold medals.  She was very
dissappointed when she won her second gold - "I already have a gold - I
wanted a silver".  It is refreshing to see the total lack of stress and
competitiveness in her now.  I know that will come later but for now it is
all just fun.

I must say that I am getting into the "rink mom" bit as well.  It's fun
sitting around with the other moms while my daughter gets her private
lessons.

BTW I really appreciate all the postings from the experts about all the
jumps and how to tell them apart.  While we are only at the waltz jump and
half flip stage, I know the days of the more complicated jumps aren't too
far away.  While I have never forced my daughter to skate, I hope she keeps
up with it (it is totally her decision) because I think she has a lot of
fun and so do I.

Nikki Meyer
Nashville, TN