Nana has stopped her ice skating lessons since September. Her Coach whatsapped right before a lesson to share that he was hospitalised and asked her to do some self-practice. That was almost the last we heard from him and I subsequently found out that he had suffered a stroke. Yes, Nana's Coach is a skating veteran and definitely into his years.
Nana had been self skating irregularly for the past 2 months. I finally pressed her to find another Coach. She was very hestiant, having train with and only with Coach Raymond for the past 8 years.
She had only wanted nice, kind and friendly coaches, who wouldnt scold her. After much thought, she finally decided on Coach M, who unfortunately is going on a maternity leave and recommended Coach Gen instead. I had actually long wanted to switch Nana bcos she was progressing so slowly and I think a new Coach, who could point her the finer details would help. We didn't and couldn't bcos there appeared to be some unspoken code among the Coaches about poaching students.
The 1st lesson with Coach Gen was actually supposed to be last week but she messed up her schedule and we ended up with another self practice. I was very much looking forward to it actually. I think Nana will enjoy. Coach Gen seems like such a nice Coach and have produced many good skaters. I was actually very surprised that she has the availability to take on Nana.
She finally had her 1st lesson today and was anxious. I made arrangements to bring and watch her. The class was at 9.45am but she could skate and practice as early as 8.15am. We didn't but started off with a nice MacD bfast and it was already 9am when she finally dilly-dally to the ice.
Her self practice looked decent. Then she waddled her way to Coach Gen when time.
The initial meet-up was definitely awkward. She said that Coach Gen asked her some personal information.
The lesson started with the very basics, like front crossovers.
In fact, there was a lot of basics done and Coach Gen was pointing and correcting the little stuff.
These are exactly the little things that we needed Coach Gen to tell us bcos Coach Raymond didn't. Coach Raymond would point out some too but Coach Gen is very specific in her instructions, which Nana definitely benefited.
Nana moved from basic stroking to some spins to jumps. Each time we made eye contact, she was smiling and looked happy. She must have enjoyed herself. Half an hour passed very quickly and Nana came back all smiley and sweaty. Yes, Coach Gen is very nice. Nope, she is not scare of Coach Gen. Hahaha.
We ended the morning with a drink at Coffee Bean while I took a call.
I had a very happy Nana, relating how she now realises how off her this and that position was. Hmpf, she never listen to me when I used to say the same thing. Then, how she is enlightened to use her core. Zzzzzz. Not given meh?
I am just very glad to see how much she had enjoyed her lesson. It had been awhile since I last saw her smiling on ice. Maybe it is bcos she hasn't done lessons for a while and this is refreshing but I would like to believe that we have found ourselves a good Coach.
We duno what is in store for Nana. She knows that she is far from the National Squad and too late to try to squeeze in too. She has so much (other stuff) on her plate. She is at the crossroad. The uncertainty of the rink's future is not doing us good. Maybe we should just skate until the rink closes? I guessed, it is just to wait and see. For now, I just love seeing her loving the ice.
Mummy Lim
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