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How to Buy and Care for Skates

Most department and sports stores sell skating equipment in a variety of price and quality ranges. Before buying skates, check carefully for:
  • proper fit
  • firm ankle support
  • good quality leather
  • correct blade placement
TIPS:
  • avoid buying larger size for skater to “grow into”
  • moulded plastic skates are not recommended
  • look for blades that are screwed on rather than riveted, so that the blade can be moved if necessary. If the blade is riveted make sure it is straight and centered. The foot should not fall to one side.
  • a leather boot is preferable to vinyl
  • make sure the boot does not have any wrinkles

SHARPENING YOUR SKATES:

  • sharpen skates as soon as they are purchased
  • re-sharpen skates after approximately 30 hours of skating
  • the bottom pick should not be removed - the pick is part of the design of figure skates and is essential to proper balance

HOW TO FIT SKATES:

1. partially lace boots through instep
 2. slide foot forward so toes can touch the front but are not cramped
 3. stand with weight equally distributed over both feet
 4. bend knees
 5. the space at the back of the heel should be no more than a pencil width

  • tie laces loosely over the toe and front of the boot and snugly over the ankle and instep
  • skates should fit snugly around the ankle and heel with some room for movement of toes
  • there should be no looseness or creases in the boot
  • the tongue should be well padded and wide enough to cover the front of the ankle and stay in place
  • walk around in the skates off the ice; they should feel comfortable

CARE OF SKATES:

  • always wear protective guards when not on the ice
  • dry blades and sole plate completely with a cloth after use
  • always remove guards before storing skates
  • unlace skates sufficiently before removing them so that the back of the boot will not break down or rip
  • air out boots after use
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why are there so many children on the ice during Kid/Canskate? There seems to be too many to keep track of. How do the coaches know who is ready to move up or who needs extra help?

Skate Canada only requires one certified coach for 60 Kid/Canskaters. The remainder of the assistance can be in the form of certified Program Assistants. The required coach/program assistant to skater ratio is 1 to 10. At our Club we have 4 certified coaches plus 5 assistants on the ice during Kid/Canskate. Our ratio is about 1 superviser to 8 Canskaters and 1 supervisor to 4 Kidskaters. Although it may seem busy and chaotic on the ice, skaters are working in a group related to the skater’s skill level. The groups are working on specific elements of skating and each element or stage is supervised by a coach or program assistant. The Head Coach ensures that all stages are progressing. Each skater who, in the eyes of the group supervisor, has completed the stage will then be tested by one of the certified coaches. If the skater passes he/she will receive a progression badge and move to a new stage.

2. There doesn’t seem to be enough adults around for the Canskaters. The teachers appear to be little more than children themselves. Are these “children” qualified to teach?

 A Club with 60 Canskaters only requires 1 certified coach. In accordance with Skate Canada, that coach must be registered with Skate Canada, must have the National Coaching Certificate Level 1 or higher and must have a valid First Aid certificate. We are fortunate to have 6 coaches with this status (not all are working with Canskate). For Canskate, our Club usually contracts 4 coaches, 1 Canskate Manager and at least 5 Program Assistants (from the Junior Test Program or higher) to help with the program. Program Assistants may appear young but have taken a 1-week training program certified by Skate Canada and administered by the Head Coach. They must pass off-ice and on-ice tests to qualify to assist with instruction.

3. My daughter has moved up in the Performance level and now has no coach teaching her. What has happened?

 She has now moved into the Junior Test Program from the Pre-Junior Test program. Pre-Junior Test program is the last level that includes coaching. This level bridges the gap between fully coached and fully working on the skater’s own. Pre-Junior program gives 15-minute instruction in a group on skills, dance & freeskate (jumps & spins) then 15 minutes for the skater to work on her/his own. After about one year the skater may be prepared to work independently of a class setting and choose to work 90% on his/her own, supplemented by private coaching, arranged between the parent and a coach. The Junior level will also work on freeskate routines to prepare skaters for competitions, assisted by private coaching.

4. Why are there Intermediate Performance skaters on the ice during junior ice time. There might be an accident.

Some skaters may look to be “old enough” to be on intermediate ice but the skating program is based on ability not age. Old” skaters may be working on the same elements as “younger” skaters in the Pre-Junior and Junior program. As well, through their contract, coaches have the right to pull any skater onto any ice time to give private lessons. However, once the lesson is over the skater must leave the ice if this is not his/her usual session. Also, an Intermediate who has not completed a Junior level discipline can come onto the relative Junior ice time to work only on that discipline. Usually this would be the freeskate portion of the program.

5. Why is there so much talk of fundraising? Aren’t the fees I’m paying enough to cover expenses? What is expected of me for fundraising?

 As noted in our “Fundraising Policy”, the average Canskater costs the club $9.50/skating day. If this was included as the registration fee, the average Canskate fee would be $190.00/season. This daily cost is even higher as the skater moves into the Performance or Competitive Program where coach’s fees are in addition to the registration fee. We ask that parents participate in fundraising for the good of the skaters and the Club.

6. Sometimes a coach doesn’t show up for a night. Do they still get paid for the missed shift or are they docked accordingly?

 Coaches are only paid if they attend the class. Coaches are not full time employees of the Club. They are on contract and if they are sick or away they are not paid. However, to ensure stability in the programs, Coaches must notify the Club when they are away and should ensure a replacement is in place.
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“Courtesy, Consideration, Cooperation and Common Sense”

Bracebridge Figure Skating Club
169 James Street, Bracebridge, Ontario P1L 2B8