Sophomore Ryan Truong performs a sport where many people would end up falling over themselves trying to recreate what he does, which is ice skating, also referred to as figure skating.
Truong has been practicing ice skating for a year and a half. From this he has learned many skills.
“I’ve learned how to do double jumps which are two rotations in the air, double salchow, double toe and double loop,”Truong said, “ A double salchow is a jump with two rotations in the air.”
Through all of this practice, he has started to get into the more competitive side of ice skating. His most recent performance and first competition was on April 19.
“This performance was not a qualifier competition,” Truong said, “Qualifiers are competitions for nationals, which I strive to participate in later in the season.”
“If I get good placement in two competitions then I’ll qualify,” Truong said.
Truong displays lots of dedication to ice skating by practicing almost eight hours a week.
“I want to be able to perform a double axle, which is when you take off forward and you rotate two and a half times in the air,” Truong said.
Truong’s favorite part of ice skating is practicing and performing his jumps. Though ice skating looks like a fun, carefree sport with people just gliding along the ice, it does come with obstacles if you want to get good.
Truong describes how starting ice skating seemed overbearing with lots of mental hurdles you have to overcome before you feel like a strong skater.
Currently the hardest part of ice skating for Truong is running his program.
“You’re skating to music, you have to do jumps, spins, choreographic sequences and a whole bunch of footwork,” Truong said.
However, not only is Truong bettering himself, but he is also helping others in ice skating.
“I’m a Learn To Skate coach,” Truong said.
Truong teaches tots which are children under the age of six, adults, and then teaches people basic skills.
“Bending your knees is your main point then just taking baby steps and learning how to fall” Truong said as advice for people who want to start his sport.
In his journey of ice skating he has become very involved in the local and nonlocal ice skating communities.
“There is a strong community in ice skating with different clubs. Everyone feels connected to each other even if you live in different states since you get to see each other at competitions,” Truong said.
Truong had learned a lot through ice skating and by being very involved in the ice skating community which doesn’t just revolve around learning new skills.
“Through all my practice I have learned that working hard creates consistency,” Truong said.
