Why is figure skating so expensive

Before skating, she rode horses which is an expensive sport so I remember thinking that skating was comparatively good value! How little did I know …. As she progressed to private lessons, the costs quickly started mounting up. Some coaches may cost considerably more than this especially as your skater moves up the ranks and needs more specialist coaching.

Some skaters take off ice classes too — flexibility, core strength, jumps and stretch classes are all common. Some rinks have different levels of Patch Ice eg up to Level 3, Level , over level 6. If your child is young and growing fast then boots are going to be a big expense as they will likely grow out of them before the boots are worn out.

Ever wondered what you really need in your kit bag for practice and competition? Once they complete the Learn to Skate programme, your skater may want to join a skating club. Some clubs also run off ice classes, personal training, nutrition, ballet and more which obviously all contribute to an increased cost. To be fair, these items get a LOT of use and so are overall good value but on the surface of it, can seem pricey.

Some skaters prefer a practice dress or skirt , especially the younger girls. Again prices vary wildly depending on how custom the design is. Skating mum tip — in the boot or footed tights last longer than over-the-boot tights so go for those unless the coach has a specific requirement for over the boot tights.

Going this route often does not work at some rinks because the sessions just may be very popular and crowded and figure skating can pose safety risks. The people skating on public sessions vary from session to session, and a large number of them will not know or even care that you want space to perform certain moves or jumps.

You will have to be considerate of those you are sharing the ice with. If you choose non-crowded sessions, you should be fine, but you must make the effort to scope out several sessions on the day of the week and at the time you want to skate prior to deciding that you can substitute certain public sessions for freestyle. On moderately busy or crowded sessions, practice on public sessions is usually an exercise in futility and frustration.

Scope out your rink before attempting to go this route even sporadically , find an alternate rink, or ante up for freestyle sessions. This is a good example of a unique custom made costume. There are a couple of other issues with skating on public sessions to note.

There may be some people so excited about your skills that they may closely follow you around preventing you from doing any moves. Because it's a public session all you can do is ask that they keep their distance, but they don't have to adhere to your request.

Also, certain figure skating skills may be banned during crowded sessions or during public sessions altogether. Check to be sure. Other people may actually try to hog your time, acting as if you are there to teach them for free. Never mind how much you and thousands of other skaters must pay for group lessons or private coaching. Freestyle sessions are dedicated to skaters who are able to skate above a minimum level which varies from rink to rink , and some rinks set aside freestyle sessions for high, mid, and low freestyle skaters.

The skaters on freestyle sessions are not as varied as those skating on public sessions, and most of them are fairly vigilant at looking out for others while practicing to avoid collisions. On these sessions, you will be around skaters who often speed across the ice at speeds that can reach or exceed 25 MPH while practicing, so it is also very important for you to be aware of what's going on around you.

These are a couple of reasons that there is typically a minimum skill set required to skate on freestyle ice time as flying skaters and blades generally do not mix well with people who cannot stand up on their skates or be alert to the ever-changing positions and speeds of those around them. If you choose to compete or perform in exhibitions, be prepared to purchase at least one to three costumes per year depending on how many different routines you will be performing.

Some skaters just like to switch up costumes depending on how often they'll be competing or performing. While in theory, you can use the exact same costume over and over; you will likely tire of it. While it is true that some routines have costumes made to fit, some skaters do like to switch costumes if they find something that they simply like better or is more suited to the music than the one they've already chosen.

Costumes can be purchased at a variety of price points with many people purchasing costumes for males and females at anywhere from fifty dollars to well over a thousand or two per costume. The price is up to the skater or the parent buying it. A large number of skaters do not spend more than two or three hundred on a costume. Some skaters sell their old costumes to buy new ones; others may trade costumes, or give them away to someone who can use them if they no longer fit.

The thousand to several thousand dollars per costume fee is typically spent by national and international level competitors. Because it typically takes many years and many hours of training to get to that competitive level, I have to say that this high figure is not be taken as the norm.

The wide variety in prices occurs due to the materials used such as unique fabrics, crystals, beading, sequins, etc. Even some of the national and international level competitors do this, and they come out beautifully. Gracie Gold's long sleeved blue dress at the Olympics is a lovely example. No one wants to wear the exact same outfit as someone else, on or off the ice. There are a variety of expenses in skating as with most other sports.

For example, when you go back and forth to the rink, you are responsible for your gasoline, etc. If you were to get hurt, you are responsible for the medical expenses. When going to competitions or traveling for tests, you are responsible for your travel, food, and lodging. But you would also be responsible for paying a portion of or the entirety of your coaches travel, food, and lodging expenses for these things as well if they are going to that event to coach you.

Coaches may be considered well paid by some who choose to only look at the hourly pay, but coaching may be a labor of love and the financial equivalent of a part-time job for some coaches.

This should be taken into consideration when you find that you must pay for them to be at your competitions. They too as skaters paid to ensure they had their coach's expertise at arm's length. Also, think of the fact that they may be leaving money on the table back at the rink at home to be there to coach you to your gold medal. Another choice for improving your skating is off-ice training.

Often this is done in a structured format such as a class at the rink, a ballet studio, a gymnastics class or in a local fitness gym. Others use videos or even video training with their skating coach. Off-ice skill training can translate into better performance on the ice; however, the skater's goals and current skill level should be taken into account before spending significant amounts of time or money on off-ice training.

For example, it would not be wise to pay for off-ice training if the skater hasn't even mastered the most basic skills or doesn't wish to compete or test. Another figure skating expense is figure skating camps and clinics. These are purely optional, but a lot of improvements may be made depending on the skater's dedication and the amount of practice they get in. Camps and clinics are a popular summer pastime for skaters of all ages and levels and can also be found on weekends at various times of the year around the country.

The fees for these camps vary with the offerings and the total amount of time the skaters will be instructed. Many offer off-ice training, Dartfish technology, and nutritional assistance as well. Other costs of skating that can quickly add up are non-essentials. These include skating comforts and splurges, such as heated insoles, specially colored purple, blue, green skate blades, light up blade guards, customized boot covers, etc.

These things can sometimes be useful or just nice to have, but most of these things won't keep you off the ice if you didn't have them. There are expensive skate bags that many people run out and buy when they are fairly new to the sport when that money might be better spent on ice time or private lessons for a month or two. Less expensive options would be to buy things that are must haves and reserve any savings for ice time, private coaching, etc. This choice will move you further in your attainment of certain skills and keep you skating that much longer if money's tight and for many skaters it is!

The more you love skating, the more you will choose it above flash. A life lesson learned from figure skating is that skill and substance are much more lasting than flash. Don't let the potential costs scare you away from participating in the sport at any level or age. What you or your child may get out of it truly is of greater value in the short and long term mentally and physically. Figure skating also teaches life lessons that may not be otherwise learned. However, only you can set your budget for skating.

If you're skating on a recreational basis, it's likely that you can skate only on public sessions saving yourself money because you usually can often skate for several hours for the price of a single hour of freestyle ice. If you want to skate on freestyle sessions and have the skills to do so, buying ice time in bulk will give you a discount at some rinks. Be sure to ask. It's when you become a die-hard competitor that the higher costs eventually creep in.

Competitive figure skating costs do not increase overnight; the skater has to be quite dedicated and talented to make greater expenditures unless they or their parents have money they want to waste. I truly hope I have helped your understanding of some of the costs of figure skating. In addition, I hope that I have not turned anyone away from figure skating on potential costs.

It's always good to be informed and make your plans accordingly so that you can enjoy the sport from a more informed perspective and within the budget that you set. Happy skating! Sorry but no I don't know who this team is. It appears they are competing in a European or possibly Canadian competition in this photo.

Who they are exactly I cannot say with any confidence because neither of their faces are showing and they aren't identified by the source of the photo. It's certainly fun and don't worry even the best of the best fall. Sometimes it can hurt but usually it makes you laugh at yourself. Thanks for sharing your story. I am sorry this was your experience and wish I could have known you to have helped you save on at least some of the costs.

Your experience is common and the vast majority of skaters have quit by the time they get to high school and even if they're getting more of a social life, quitting is overwhelmingly linked to the costs of participation. Figure skating is very expensive unless you have inherited a rink or have a frozen, rink sized pond year round.

But, like other sports, the costs increase as one's gets better and competes more often. Whatever your skill is, see if you can do something to help the coach. If so, there is a good chance that they will trade lessons for whatever skill or service you can provide. I did this once when I needed chiropractic services.

I offered to write content for their website in exchange for their services. All I had to do was ask and they were thrilled with the trade. So, see if there is something you can trade that is a win-win for you and your coach. It could save you a lot of money. Most private lessons are 25 to 35 minutes long. Ask your coach if they would be willing to give you a minute lesson. This might work out well for them if they have small breaks in their schedules that they want to fill.

This way you can still get some one-on-one time with a coach as well as milestones to work on and you can save money at the same time. A second job implies that you have a set schedule and a boss. A side gig means you are doing something to make extra money on your own time in your own way. You could sell stuff on eBay, make items to sell on Etsy or even sell used books on Amazon. What is important is that you enjoy it and you can work on it as much or as little as you want when you want.

This extra money could cover all of your figure skating costs and still leave you time for lessons and practice. They are different depending on what level of a skater you are and what your skating goals are.