Skates: Getting Started

The first decision to be made before going to the store is what style of skates (figure or hockey) is more appropriate. For a first time skater, this decision is not really critical. Kids will outgrow skates long before the type of skate has a significant effect on performance. The most important factor is the quality and support of the boot.

Modern skates provide firm support around the ankles. To accomplish this, the skate manufacturer installs stiff leather inserts between the outer and inner layers of the boot. Old skates may lack this stiffness; in used skates, it may be broken down from use or abuse.

With the skates laced up snugly, the ankles should be straight so that the skate becomes a natural extension of the leg. If the skater's ankles lean inward or outward, the skater will have difficulty balancing (particularly on one foot).

Moulded plastic skates are not a good choice. They provide a lot of support but they cannot be 'broken in'. This prevents the boot from flexing properly to allow the skater the required range of motion.

The plastic skates with buckles instead of laces may be convenient but they often come loose leaving the skater with no support whatsoever.

Fitting
Skates should fit more snugly than regular shoes, particularly around the heel. A properly fitting skate should have no more than 1/2 inch of space at the toe. The skater should be able to wiggle toes inside the boot, but the heel should not move at all in the skate.

The ball of the foot should come just ahead of the point where the sole starts to cut in for the arch. This ensures the proper positioning of the arch and is extremely important.

The front opening of the boot should be sufficiently wide to pull the laces tight. The tongue should be sufficiently wide so that it will stay in place and it should be well padded to prevent laces from cutting into the foot.

Skates that are too small will be very uncomfortable for the skater and feet will tend to get cold very quickly. Skates that are too big do not provide sufficient ankle support. They may even cause blisters due to rubbing inside the boot.

Skates should be worn with one pair of thin socks. Thick or extra socks may appear to fill up the space in a skate that is too big. But as soon as the skater tries to exert pressure against the boot, the extra thickness compresses and the skate doesn't provide the needed support.Never buy skates too big so they will last another season

Lacing Skates
Skates should be laced fairly loosely over the toe and front of the foot, but snugly over the ankles. Laces should be hooked securely with sufficient tension to permit one finger down the back of the boot. Laces should be long enough to be tied in a double bow and tucked in.

Sharpening
When? The rule of thumb for skate sharpening is 30 to 50 hours of ice time. This is a very rough guideline and can be greatly affected by use and care:
1) Continuous use of guards will keep skates sharp longer.

1. 2) Walking across a a concrete floor is fatal for your sharpening.
   

2. 3) Failing to wipe blades dry or storing skates with guards on can result in rust forming on the bottom of the blades.
   
   

A good test for sharpness is to try scraping a thumb nail across (not along!) the blade. If it takes fine shavings, it is sharp; if not, maybe it's time. Be sure to check both inside and outside edges. Inside edges often get more wear than outside.

For tests and competitions, consider a sharpening a week or two before the big day. Not the day before!

Where? Sporting goods stores and arena pro shops are fine for hockey skates but should not be used for sharpening figure skates. They will take too much off at the front and back of the blade changing the balance of the blade and dramatically shortening the life of your blades.

New skates. A new pair of skates must be sharpened before they are used. An unsharpened skate has a flat surface on the bottom of the blade. It will easily slide sideways when the skater tries to push. The sharpening stone grinds a concave contour which produces the two 'edges' that not dig into the ice.

The skating surface of a skate blade:

Not every salesperson is aware of this!

Helmets: Falls Happen

Most falls are harmless and just a part of the learning experience. Some result in a few tears. Occasionally, despite our best efforts, there are bad falls.

Even skaters who are quite secure on their feet can be the victims of ‘chain-reaction' falls. These usually happen when kids crowd together in a group lesson (don't know why they do it, but they always do). Most young skaters have not yet developed the reflex to protect their head in a fall. Mature skaters often tense up when they feel themselves falling.For these reasons, helmets are mandatory for all beginner skaters.

As per Skate Canada’s helmet regulations for CanSkate programs, skaters must have a CSA approved hockey helmet. All CanSkate and Adult CanSkate participants up to and including Stage 5 must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet while on the ice. This policy is enforced during all skating activities including competitions, carnival days or any other special on ice activities throughout the season for this level of skater.

Although optional, helmets with cages / face guards are highly recommended for young skaters and beginning skaters of all ages. View the Skate Canada Helmet Use Policy document.

Please note that skaters who do not have a proper fitting CSA approved hockey helmet will NOT be allowed on the ice.


Here are a few things to think about when shopping for a helmet:

• Hockey helmets are the best for skaters. As stated above, CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory for all CanSkate participants up to Stage 5. They provide excellent protection for the sides as well as the back of the head. They are designed to withstand the frequent bumps that are part of hockey. A hockey helmet fitted with a visor or cage also protects the skater's face from the ice and anything else that poses a threat (i.e. the chain-reaction fall).
• Ski or skateboard helmets are not permitted. They protect the sides and back of the head, but cannot be fitted with a visor or cage to protect the face.
• Bicycle helmets are strictly prohibited on the ice as they do not provide the necessary protection needed for skating. They are designed to absorb a single high impact collision - not the many little falls that happen in skating. They do not provide adequate protection for the back and sides of the head. And a poor-fitting helmet can shift on impact and make the injury worse.