Skating ices the competition

    1 of 1 2 of 1

      Jan Norman was 11 when she first laced up a pair of skates. That’s a relatively late start in the world of athletics, but she went on to figure-skate competitively and is in her third decade of teaching power skating and hockey. The Vancouver coach is just as passionate about being on the ice now as she was back when she was growing up in Ontario.

      “I just loved that feeling of gliding on an edge,” Norman says in a phone interview. “I still love it.”

      At the Sunset Skating Club, Norman teaches everyone from preschoolers who dream of one day playing in the NHL to adults who can’t remember the last time they stepped on ice.

      Although Metro Vancouver lacks the back-yard rinks that Wayne Gretzky learned to play on, hosting the 2010 Olympics helped boost interest in all things skate-related.

      Whether you do it as a weekend right-winger or while coasting under the stars on a date at Grouse Mountain’s ice-skating pond, skating’s fun. It’s also great exercise.

      Ice skating provides an excellent cardiovascular workout, given that all of the body’s major muscles are in motion. A bonus is that the sport doesn’t involve the same kind of pounding on the joints that running does.

      There are other benefits. Skating improves balance and coordination. It can help boost endurance and tone muscles, particularly those in the legs and back. Plus, it requires and builds core strength.

      An hour of ice skating can burn as many as 600 calories.

      But calories are the last thing on Norman’s mind when she’s out on the ice.

      “Without even thinking about it, you’re getting a whole-body workout,” Normans says. “In a 45-minute or one-hour session on the ice, you will have worked every single muscle from top to bottom—even your toes. It’s amazing.

      “When you go on a machine in the gym, you’re breaking it down: ”˜Now I’m working my glutes, now I’m working my biceps, now I’m working my triceps.’ When you’re skating, it’s all happening at once. It’s very efficient. And very challenging.”

      Norman has advice for adults wanting to take up skating but who might be feeling wobbly at first.

      For starters, consider getting a decent pair of skates.

      “Those things for rent at public skates? I can’t skate on those,” Norman says. “I’m appalled that anyone has to step on the ice in those.” Those beige rentals are known for causing severe blisters.

      “Equipment is important,” she adds. “Get a used pair of good skates or borrow some. It makes a huge difference.”

      And don’t be discouraged. “Most people improve very quickly,” she says. “You can start at any age.”

      “There’s a huge community out there of adults who are so dedicated and really keen,” she adds. “They’re just out there having fun. It’s great to see people out there with big smiles on their faces.”

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Robert (Bob) Murray

      Nov 10, 2010 at 6:31pm

      Jan Norman puts a smile on my face every time I step on the ice and take a lesson from her, that's for sure!
      Best coach in Vancouver. I hope to get her out to teach my hockey buddies a thing or two.
      Thanks Jan

      Elsa Bluethner

      Nov 11, 2010 at 8:46am

      Jan Norman can do magic! As a 50 year old skater, I'm still learning new jumps and spins and skating to music. Everybody should experience having this much fun. Thanks Jan.