What do I wear to class?
When it's hot outside, it's easy to forget warm clothes for the rink...
Dress for warmth by layering your clothing. Most indoor arenas are kept between 50-60 degrees, so jackets are recommended. As you get warm, you may wish to discard a layer. Comfort and ability to move freely are also very important. We suggest close-fitting but not tight pants. Sweatpants or warm-up pants are ideal. Your feet will feel best if you wear one pair of lightweight socks or tights. Bulky or thick socks may limit the support provided by your skates and create "bumps" inside your boots, making them uncomfortable. Make sure when fitting your skates that your toes can wiggle but your heel does not slide up and down or around once your foot is properly laced in the skate.
Protective head gear is recommended for children under the age of 6 and all beginner skaters.
Remember gloves or mittens! Learning to fall is an important part of ice skating, and your hands will feel much better if you are wearing gloves or mittens. If you forget to bring them along, gloves are available for purchase at the front desk.
As the temperature drops outside, it will become colder in the rink - add layers this winter! |
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How To Lace Skates 
Correct lacing can greatly improve your time on the ice!
Time Required: The time for this task can take anywhere from two to ten minutes, depending on experience.
Here's How:
- Loosen up the skates. By pulling the laces out a bit, the foot can be put inside easily.
- Put your feet inside the boots. Make sure the socks are straight & cover your ankle and the foot is placed inside the boot all the way. Put the toe of the foot in first and then push the heel all the way down.
- Tighten up the laces in the first half of the boot. Work up from the toe to the ankle. Don't pull the laces too tight in this area. Just make sure that each pull is somewhat secure.
- Tighten the laces the most where the foot and the ankle bends. This is the most important part of lacing figure skates. Give the laces a good tug at this point and pull hard. (Hockey skates will end here and skip to step 6)
- Next lace around the hooks. Make a criss-cross pattern with the laces and pull with both hands around each hook. Some skaters like to put the laces over and under the hooks; others like to put the laces under and then over. Either option is correct.
Again, don't pull the laces too hard. Leave some room for the ankle to bend. DO NOT wrap the laces around the ankle of the boot - if the laces are too long, criss-cross back down the hooks.
- Finish with a secure bow. It is recommended to double knot the bow.
- Make sure the laces are not touching the ground.
Tips:
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If the skates don't feel secure after being laced up, the laces are too loose, and lacing should be done over again. There should not be any slack in the laces.
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Figure skates should not be too tight. If a skater can't bend his or her knees, the skates are too tight.
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Make sure the tongue of the skate is straight and does not slip under the laces.
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Skates must fit. If the boot is too big, lacing the skates tightly will not improve the ice skating experience.
Article by Jo Ann Schneider Farris |
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Skating Tip - Snowplow Stop 
Stopping on the ice is essential for every skater. This is the first and easiest stop a skater must master. The snowplow stop can be done with one or with both feet. Many beginning skaters find doing a one-foot snowplow stop is easier than doing a two foot snowplow stop.
Here's How:
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Understand that the blade has edges, both outside and inside. This stop must is done on the inside edge (arch side of the foot)Practice at the rail. Push the blade out to scrape the ice while holding onto the rail.
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Move away from the rail and slowly glide on two feet. Bend your knees before stopping.
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Push one foot out by pressing on a flat. There should be some friction on the ice and snow should form.
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Come to a complete stop!
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This skill should be practiced until a skater is comfortable stopping with the snowplow stop and not the toe pick or the wall. |
