Monday, May 1, 2017

Kids!

Has anyone experienced this?

I skated the mid-afternoon public yesterday.  The ice was just crowded enough that you could only sneak in a complete dance pattern every now and then--which by it's self is not that unusual.  So anyway I retreated to a corner to work on stuff that one does in the corner (Mohawks, 3-turns, a few back swing rolls,  alternating back chasses down the red line, etc.).  After a while I noticed that I had two kids shadowing me: I'd do a Mohawk and they'd attempt to do one,  I'd do a 3-turn, they'd attempt to mimic it in an untutored kid kinda way.  It was a little humorous but at the same time a little frustrating because they were right. on. my. heel! Often only about a blade length or two away.  The ice was heavily rutted from the hockey match that preceded the public and I was a little concerned that if I caught an edge I'd flatten a kid!  I skated away from them to the opposite end of the rink and set up camp in one of those corners.  Quick as a flash, my two little disciples were right there!  I decided to skate laps doing alternating forward progressives in the hopes that I could wear 'em out or at least make them bored, but nope, they trailed along hot on my tail like sea gulls following a fishing boat.  My strategy didn't work--well actually it did--they wore me out!  I got off the ice a half hour early.  They were too funny but I hope I never see 'em again!

6 comments:

  1. ugh, annoying. I would have just had to say something.

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  2. I was a little surprised that they stuck that close for that long. Most of the time kids will watch for a minute or two, give me a nervous smile and then move on. This pair didn't seem to have a birthday party to bond with so they bonded with me. I was glad that their mimicry didn't cost them pain. They were unschooled and at the same time fearless--not the best combo. An unschooled adult watching and then attempting a Mohawk or 3-turn would probably wind up in traction. In retrospect they probably should have picked a better model to mimic--they no doubt "learned" some of my bad habits!

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  3. Well, that is pretty funny--and pretty irritating! You clearly are much nicer than I am (and didn't give them the evil eye, as I would have been tempted to do). I love the comparison to sea gulls--we'll just have to call them rink gulls!

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  4. If they get decent coaching they'll probably be better skaters than I am the next time I see them. Won't that be just special?!

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  5. They're probably still talking about the cool dude they shadowed the other day.

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