Equipment

FIT - Skates are not like shoes where there can be “room to grow,” instead they should “fit like a glove." Toes should be able to move up and down, but never side to side. Toes should just touch the front of the boot.

STIFFNESS OF THE BOOT - The boot should be supportive. If you can grip the boot at the top and bend it either direction easily, the skate will not be supportive to the skater. Skates must be able to hold up the elements your skater will be doing. If you see the skate start to buckle or bend around the ankle, they are not supportive enough - time for new skates!

BLADES - Blades will primarily come attached to the boot for beginning skates. No double blades for beginners please. The most common issue with blades is not sharpening them enough or not taking care of them properly. Blades should be sharpened approximately every six weeks to eight weeks (every 25-30 hours) depending on how often skaters skate. Guards are needed on cement floor not soft soakers.

CARE - The blades need to be thoroughly dried after every use and then have soakers or other towels covering the blades. If you put guards back on them, the moisture left in the guards will cause rust to occur on the blades. This rust will make skating very difficult and have to be sharpened off.

ATTIRE - Formfitting clothes that stretch is encourages in order to see the skater's body alignment to give proper advice and feedback about technique. This type of clothing also allows for better movement. Ideally, students should wear skating tights with a practice skirt or dress and sweater.

HAIR - Hair should be tied back in a ponytail and out of the face. Please do not wear bobby pins while skating for safety purposes. Loose pins can be a trip hazard.

TOTS - Snowplow Sam skaters should wear a helmet, snow pants, and gloves.