monday is skating lesson day for Malcolm. Every Monday after work I take him to nearby Hørsholm Skøjtehallen for ice skating instruction from Hørsholm Kunst Skøjte Løber Forening (Hørsholm Figure Skating Club).
Malcolm is an absolute beginner at skating. He's kind of a cautious kid to begin with, so he's afraid of falling down even though he's got a hockey helmet on and padded 'pants' (courtesy of a school mate's mum, who makes them for the skating club) under his snow suit.
The first day out I skated with him but the instructors pointed out that was not allowed, so the second week he pushed around on an orange road cone.
The week after that, they took away all the orange cones and they had to skate solo! That was a bit tough for him at first...
but he got the hang of it (with a little coaching from the bench from his mum and I).
This week, the big breakthrough was falling and getting back up without any assistance, which he did a couple of times by himself (last week the instructor/girls would help him up).
Even though he is rather afraid of it, skating is a good thing for him. He's strong enough but a tad awkward and skating will help his balance and physical confidence. When he finishes a session and has accomplished something new each week, he just *beams* with pride and he is full of energy when he gets off the ice... a far cry from the first week when he almost begged to get off the ice :).
I remember when I first skated around age 8 -- playing hockey actually, although I'd never skated before and had the wrong skates -- and how awkward it was at first, but I quickly grew to love it and I hope he will, too. Definitely it is easier at age 8 than 4, but I'm hoping he'll enjoy it and stick with it, and by this time next year, he should be zooming around the rink like the other more experienced kids.
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