What tips can you recommend to beginner ice-skaters?

Knee pads or elbow pads if you are particularly uncoordinated as you WILL fall over, that is the certainty. Take your time getting used to the ice, how your blades work and how it feels to move around the ice. Definitely hold onto the rink rail for a while until you feel confident, and if you have a friend with you, see if they can hold your hand whilst you take your first steps away from the rail. Gloves are handy if you do fall over a lot as your hands won't get cold. A change of clothes (trousers at least) is handy as your bum will get wet from a few bumps to the floor. Think socks as the boots are heavy and clumpy and you don't want to get blisters. Finally, make sure you do your boots up really tight. Loose boots can cause accidents.
Good luck! It's so much fun!

by helenonthesofa

This is brilliant! Thanks for that :-)

Wear warm socks and hold onto the rail initially. Ice skating is a lot of fun, but you can get easily injured so take it slowly and perhaps bring a change of clothes.

by Ivana Katz

I tried it once and fell on my butt about 5 times. That was the end of it for me, so I guess I'm not very up on what to do. I'll be looking out for other people's answers on this one too!

by Sarah Bell

Use figure skates, and wear your daggiest jeans. Take your time. A change of clothes would be good. Don't venture out too far from the rails.

by Justine Crowley