| Wondering what you need to know before your first class? Below is a list of things that are helpful to know before your first class. If you have any questions that are not answered below, feel free to contact Ann, the Skate School Director at 612-859-0622 or hudsonskateschool@comcast.net.
APPAREL
HELMETS
SOCKS
SKATE BOOT
BLADES
Blade & boot care
LACES & PROPER LACING TECHNIQUES
FIGURE VS. HOCKEY SKATES
PREVIOUSLY OWNED SKATES
NEW SKATES
RENTED SKATES
RECOMMENDATIONS
SKATE INFORMATION
APPAREL: Mittens, gloves and warm, comfortable clothing. Jeans and bulky jackets are not recommended as they restrict movement.
HELMETS: Bike Helmets are suggested for younger skaters ages 3-6.
SOCKS: Lightweight and thin - tights or nylons are a good option.
SKATE BOOT: Please see “Skate Information” below. Note: Purchasing large skates to accommodate growing feet while using thick socks WILL NOT work. The skate boot must fit snug to the actual foot. You must make sure that the boot offers good support and is made from quality material such as leather. You can also try the molded plastic boot.
BLADES: Must be sharpened properly and done so about every six to eight weeks. Skating on outdoor rinks and lakes dulls blades much faster due to debris commonly found on outdoor ice surfaces. The blades should be made of stainless steel and mounted with screws. NO double blades/runners allowed. Do not walk on any surfaces except the ice and rubber flooring without guards on your blades.
Boot & Blade Care: Boots and blades are an investment in comfort and performance. When cared for, they can provide you perfect fit and unequaled precision for the life of a skate.
Care Counts – Four factors generally determine how long boots will last: skating level, skater size and weight, type of boot and most importantly, maintenance and care of boots. If properly cared for, the life of a boot and blade can be dramatically prolonged to maintain the skate’s original comfort and performance. For handcrafted leather boots, it is essential that care be given after every use to best preserve the condition of the skate from the time of purchase. Premature breakdown caused by material deterioration is the biggest cause of boot wear. Leather deterioration is a result of chemical and thermal forces produced by the feet entering and corroding the leather.
Perspiration=Deterioration: When boots are skated on for an extended period of time, they often become wet from perspiration on the inside lining and wet from snow and ice shavings on the outside leather and blades. Composed of 98% moisture and 2% salts and acids, perspiration is a central element in boot corrosion. The foot produces and carries more bacteria than any other part of the body. Bacteria consume protein and since leather is 98% protein, they also eat boots. To prevent these different types of deterioration, perspiration should be wiped from the inside and outside of boots including blades after every use.
Save the Leather: It is often necessary to loosen laces on the boots and pull the tongue forward to allow the boots to dry at room temperature. When wet skates are stored in skate bags or lockers, they quickly become victims of mold, mildew and rotting leather. The routine use of leather protectants will help keep leather looking and feeling like new. Riedell recommends using Silicone Protectant to prevent moisture absorption by linings, Sno Seal® to keep heels and soles from weakening, and Lexol® to restore and condition leather uppers. After protectants have dried, using Shoe Finish helps bring back the original color and shine of the boot.
Staying Sharp: The care of blades is no less important than that of boots, since the condition of edges is a key factor in skate performance. Blade guards should be worn as soon as skaters leave the ice. This avoids scraping and chipping blade chrome, which leaves the steel underneath vulnerable to corrosion-causing moisture. After every skating session skaters should remove blade guards, wipe blades dry and then use blade blankets. This protects skates during storage and absorbs any condensation that occurs as the blades return to room temperature. Finally, regular blade sharpening should be performed to deliver a skate’s best performance.
LACES & PROPER LACING TECHNIQUES: Please see “Skate Information” below. Note: Make sure laces are in good shape and can tie up the entire skate. Weak ankles in skating is a myth. If you invest in a good pair of skates and blades, and tie them correctly, you will not have weak ankles.
FIGURE VS. HOCKEY SKATES: It is much easier to learn the basics of skating wearing figure skates. Hockey skates (blades) have a radius that allows less blade on the ice surface and produces more of a “rocking” motion that is more difficult for beginner skaters to control. They also have no toe picks. Beginner skaters who intend on playing hockey should wear figure skates initially and complete the basic skills classes through at least Basic 4. You will be a much better skater and player. The transition from figure to hockey skates is generally an easy one once the child has mastered the basics.
PREVIOUSLY OWNED SKATES: It is not always necessary to buy new skates. Look for clean, firm, fully lined boots with good support. Also, look at the soles to ensure they are not rotted. Check the blades for deep nicks and make sure there is still enough good steel left on the blade for sharpening.
NEW SKATES: Most skate shops like Pierce Skate and Ski carry beginner through the most advanced boots and blades. As you advance, you may want to consider specialty boots and blades if your intentions are to continue with skating. However, you don’t have to spend a lot to learn how to skate.
RENTED SKATES: No rental skates are available
RECOMMENDATIONS: For your child’s benefit and ability to learn, we may suggest that you look for different skates if we feel the skater is not getting the support they need from the boot or blade. It is very difficult to learn to skate with skates or blades that are not in good condition. Also, do not walk on any surfaces except the ice and rubber flooring without guards on your blades.
SKATE INFORMATION: Proper fitting skates make skating fun! Your feet should not move around inside your boots, especially the heel. Your heel should be as far back into the boot as possible and should feel sung. Support is an important factor. Skates that lack adequate support can’t hold you up and you will use a lot of your muscle power just to stay upright. Keep trying on skates until you find a pair that fits. Rental skates are made to fit everyone so they fit no one precisely. Be aware that your skate size is not always the same as your shoe size. The boots should feel snug but your toes shouldn’t be pinched. The closer the fit, the more control you will have. Wear thin socks or tights! Heavy socks take up space and force you into a larger size than you need.
Lacing Tips: How skates look when they are laced up offer a clue as to how well they fit. Tap your heel back into the boot as far as possible. Pull the tongue completely up (giving it a gentle pull) and try to secure it straight up and down, then tuck it beside your foot. Starting with the second or third set of laces from the bottom, begin to pull the laces tightly, one pair at a time, so the boot closes well over the front of your foot. It is important not to let the laces slip. The laces should be snug through the ankle area and the bottom two sets of hooks. The top two can be a little bit looser to allow for some flexibility. If extra lace remains, try to cross it over the hooks neatly. Do not wind the extra lace around the skates! Beware of loose flying bows as they can cause accidents. When skates are laced effectively, there should be room enough, with ankle flexed, to stick a finger down between the back of the boot and your leg. If you skate hurts or doesn’t feel right, spend time re-lacing and adjusting.
|
