Hello,
I was wondering if there are any figure skaters here ? If so, would anyone be willing to help and share information on how you can pack when on the ice? (or on the ground if you roller skate ) Or I guess any other artistic sports where you're in tight clothing might cause the same sort of problem.
I usually skate without a packer but it makes me very nervous that somebody might notice I'm trans because of it (I'm completely stealth at the moment). For example I am very uncomfortable doing spirals or camel spins where I suppose the lack of bulge would be most visible.
I tried using a regular packer once, which I found very uncomfortable. I don't know how cis-men do it (is it just a matter of getting used to it and practising?), but for example I found it really hard to do salchows properly (I can't do the leg kick-in with the packer being 'in the way') and axels are simply impossible (or maybe it's because I am focused on hoping that the packer won't move rather than on the jump itself?...).

Is there a secret packing technique that I somehow haven't discovered yet?  If anybody has any advice to give, I'd be very grateful.

Why not just use a balled up sock? Least if you fall on your crotch it won't hurt.

@Alexthecat: I think a sock would move about too much... but I might try it tomorrow then. Thanks for your reply

You could try to get like a dance belt.  I imagine if they wear them for dancing they'd work pretty well for figure skating. 

@GnomeKid : interesting idea, I had to look it up to understand what a dance belt is... why not, it's true it looks really good. I might try it, thank you so much !

One thing I would suggest is using a small packer.  I am assuming you are using something like a 3.5 inch Mr. Limpy?

Good idea, Gnomekid.  You probably already found this one, Transguy

http://www.dancebelt.info/17165091C1D94631B10E

I tried a balled up sock today and it looked perfect... during the 10 first warming up minutes^^ It does move about too much so I had to take it out but I'm keeping the idea and will definitely try a dance belt.

@Brett : yes, that's the packer I have. I thought it was the smallest one... Thanks for the link

You can pin the sock packer where you want it and it will stay there.

Quote from: Transguy on March 30, 2014, 10:04:48 PM
@GnomeKid : interesting idea, I had to look it up to understand what a dance belt is... why not, it's true it looks really good. I might try it, thank you so much !

no problemo!  You learn a lot of things being a performance nerd.  Hope it works out for you!

Quote from: Transguy on March 30, 2014, 11:17:54 AM
I tried using a regular packer once, which I found very uncomfortable. I don't know how cis-men do it (is it just a matter of getting used to it and practising?), but for example I found it really hard to do salchows properly (I can't do the leg kick-in with the packer being 'in the way') and axels are simply impossible (or maybe it's because I am focused on hoping that the packer won't move rather than on the jump itself?...).

HI Transguy,

I couldn't help but laugh when I read this part of your post.  I used to figure skate (more or less had my axel and double loop) till my knees/ankles gave out from too much abuse from high impact sports in general.  To answer your question as how a cis guy does it, you just did - you concentrate that much on what you're doing that the bits don't really get in the way (and they kinda shift around out of the way anyway).  I never wore tight clothing when I skated - I was usually just in track suit pants and T-shirt.  The tracksuit pants were loose, comfy and showed nothing - so that's an option for you if you're only practising. =)

BTW, I never felt I was doing much of a kick-in with salchows, I usually had that much lift that I had enough rotation off the edge at take off that I had to work to avoid over-rotating my singles.  You'll enjoy the added vertical leap as HRT kicks in.  (I've lost about 12 inches off my vertical leap since I started HRT).

Good luck with it and have fun.

@GnomeKid: Thanks to the 'performance nerd' ! I have ordered a dance belt, I'm looking forward to trying it on and I hope it works !

@luna nyan: Thank you very much for your input, that's really interesting !

Quote from: luna nyan on April 12, 2014, 04:15:54 AM
To answer your question as how a cis guy does it, you just did - you concentrate that much on what you're doing that the bits don't really get in the way (and they kinda shift around out of the way anyway).

I have to say this part of your reply was really funny - and interesting. I will really have to concentrate more I suppose^^
Thanks a lot for the tracksuit pants idea (I guess the easiest options are the ones which never come to my mind first). I'm worried they might not be warm enough especially before having warmed up butI will definitely try that.

Quote from: luna nyan on April 12, 2014, 04:15:54 AM
BTW, I never felt I was doing much of a kick-in with salchows, I usually had that much lift that I had enough rotation off the edge at take off that I had to work to avoid over-rotating my singles.  You'll enjoy the added vertical leap as HRT kicks in.  (I've lost about 12 inches off my vertical leap since I started HRT).

I also have a tendency to over-rotate my single salchows (starting doubles was actually a relief!) ! I don't know why I do the leg kick-in, I think it's basically the way my coach taught me to do it.    I never really questioned it, but it causes any packer/sock to move upwards instantly^^ By the way, wow, congratulations on managing double loops, that is one thing I feel I might never manage to achieve^^ (double salchows and double toe loops are ok but I am really struggling with the double loop). I am already on HRT (which has made the problem worse, I have been stealth since I moved and still skate without a packer, which must look weird =S) and I did feel a big difference in my vertical leap (no idea how much it is though), but apparently not enough for double loops 

I hope your knees/ankles are feeling better

Happy to have made you laugh!

I'm not surprised that you didn't think about the track suit pants.  One big part for ladies skating is looking good while skating.  As the selection for men isn't great, comfort > all.  You could always wear a pair of compression tights under for warmth.  And don't feel conscious - no one looks down there.

For reference, when I was actively skating, I had 36 inch vertical jump.  The huge problem for me was really really shoddy technique - I could fluff the take off and muscle my way through the jump.  Funnily enough my coach had me on the axel and double loop, I hadn't started on the salchow or toe loop whenI stopped.

My ankles and knees are fine unless I start on activities requiring rapid change of direction.

Hello again,

So here's an update on the dance belt: I tried it with a packer... it's much, much better, and it doesn't move about nearly as much as before, but I still can't do all jumps and spins and don't feel comfortable. Then I tried it with a balled up sock, and that went really well! Now I just have to exercise and train with it and wait till my body gets accustomed to this, but I think I could definitely get used to it.
Thank you all for your help!

I really also want to try the loose track suit pants idea now, I will definitely buy myself a pair soon (mine are all old and tight-fitting).

@luna nyan: That's an interesting order of learning things. My coach taught me through all the single jumps to get the different techniques right before I went on to the doubles, using the axel as a transition (after all, it is halfway between a single and a double jump). I'm impressed you got the axel right as a first jump, that's great

Transguy, I meant the toe loop or salchow doubles as those are usually easier.

I'm glad you're getting more comfortable on the ice - I do miss it sometimes, but I keep off it because I know I'll be stupid and injure myself if I get back on.