Period and sports????

I'm a competitive figure skater, I skate 6 days a week for 3 hours and to top it off I have cardio training or ballet some days. I hate the feeling of pads when I am active. it feels like a diaper and I feel like everyone can see it. I want to use tampons so badly because my friend says its so much easier. My mom said I shouldn't use tampons and I'm scared to try. Please help!!!!!