New to skating? Don't worry, we got you!
Figure skating is an amazing and unique sport that can be enjoyed at any age, but it's not always the easiest activity to get started in.
We're here to help you navigate this new world and make sure you glide on in to your new sport with safety and ease.
First, let's learn about your equipment!
01.
Your blades are metal, they will rust if you don't dry them off after each use and store them in fabric covers "soakers"
The metal of your blades will continue to create condensation for up to 6
hours after you get off the ice, this is why you need soakers to continuously
wick away the moisture
02.
When walking around in your skates, you should use a rubber hard guard, this protects the edges of your blades from damage, even a rubber floor can have dirt and sediment that can dull or knick your edges
DO NOT use rubber hard guards for storage, they hold in moisture and cause blades to rust at an accelerated rate
03.
Skates are meant to feel tight and are not typically comfortable when they're new - it's important that you get fitted correctly which often includes heat molding, punch outs, shaping, etc.
04.
We often get asked "what brand is the best?" all of the brands we carry are excellent quality and endorsed by Olympians, you need to pick the one that fits and feels the best - everyone's feet are different!
05.
Choosing the right skate means finding the right size but also the right match for your level
The more frequently you skate and the higher your level becomes, the stronger and stiffer your boots need to be
Now let's take a closer look at how to properly tie your skates
Tying skates is a labor of love, it requires patience; if you shove your feet into skates and tie them up quickly without attention to detail, they're not going to feel very good :(
Here are some other tidbits to keep in mind
SIZING
Skate size and shoe size ARE NOT THE SAME. Make sure you get fitted properly
-Each skating brand has a different measuring system as well
TOO BIG = DANGEROUS
Kids grow, we know this BUT buying your child's skates too big almost guarantees a poor skating experience. Skates that are too big offer less support, provide a blade that is disproportionately long for the skater's foot and greatly increases their risk of injury. DON'T DO IT!
THE RIGHT SOCKS
To ease the discomfort of skates, thin smooth socks should be worn to prevent rubbing or blisters. Thick wooly socks are unnecessary and often don’t fit easily in ice skates.
SHARPENING
Skate blades should be sharpened about every 25-35 hours of ice time *note this will vary given the skater’s level, size and type of blade
SNUG = SAFE
Skates will feel snug and firm. Remember that skates are not shoes, safety needs to be prioritized over comfort.