Starting the Quad Axel Journey
Alright, so I decided to give the quad Axel a shot. Sounds kinda crazy, right? Especially at my stage. But you see these younger skaters pushing boundaries, and something just clicks. You think, “Could I?” It wasn’t about competition for me anymore, more like a personal mountain to climb, just to see if I could even get close.
First Steps and Reality Check
First thing I did was hit the gym, off-ice stuff. You can’t just fling yourself into four-and-a-half rotations without some serious prep. Lots of plyometrics, trying to get that explosive jump higher. Rotation drills until I was dizzy. Honestly, felt pretty awkward at first. Quickly realized my regular triple Axel conditioning wasn’t nearly enough. This thing is a whole different beast. Needed more height, faster snap. Early days were rough, lots of just basic drills, trying to build power.
Taking it to the Ice
Okay, back on the ice. Didn’t even think about the quad initially. Went back to basics.
- Worked on my double Axel. Made sure it was effortless, high.
- Then the triple. Had to get that super consistent. Like, eyes closed, perfect landing every single time. This part alone took months of grinding. Lots of falls. Hitting the ice isn’t as fun as it used to be, believe me. My hips definitely felt it some mornings.
Needed that solid foundation. No point trying for four and a half if your three and a half is shaky. It’s like trying to build a skyscraper on sand.
The Actual Attempts (Sort Of)
Finally started trying the actual quad rotation. Man, talk about frustrating. First attempts were nowhere near. Felt like I was spinning like a top but still landing way short, maybe three and three-quarters rotated if I was lucky? Lots of under-rotations, lots of messy falls. Some days I’d just work on the entrance speed, trying to get comfortable going into the jump faster than I ever have. That alone was scary. Felt like I was gonna lose control before even taking off.
Used the harness rig sometimes. Felt a bit like cheating, but it helped get the feeling of the full rotation without killing myself on the landing every time. It gives you that extra hang time. Saw myself on video, arms were all over the place. Had to really focus on keeping everything tight, compact in the air. Easier said than done when you’re whipping around that fast.
Ups and Downs, The Grind
It’s been a real rollercoaster. Some days, things click. Maybe I get a full rotation on the harness, or even land one on my feet with a sketchy landing but around. Those days feel amazing. Then the next day, I can barely land a clean triple Axel again. It messes with your head. Had a few minor strains, nothing serious, but enough to make me back off for a few days, rethink if this was worth the risk. The mental game is huge. Staying positive when you fall dozens of times trying the same thing over and over… that’s tough.
Right now? Still working on it. It’s not something you just learn in a few weeks, at least not for me. It’s a long, long process. Some days I feel closer, other days it feels impossible again. But hey, that’s the process, right? Just gotta keep chipping away at it. It’s more about the journey of pushing myself than anything else at this point. We’ll see where it goes. No promises, just putting in the work.