FAQ
How old should my child be before he or she starts skating?
Generally
most children are ready to learn to skate between the ages of 3 and 5.
The decision to start them in a program depends on their attention span
and their level of interest in skating. It's important to make sure
that the skates fit them properly and that their ankles are
well-supported.
How often should my child be skating?
This
depends on the program. It is enough for children in the Kidskate
program to skate one half hour per week to introduce them to the love
of skating. Ideally, skaters in the Canskate badge programs should
skate at least twice a week in order to make progress. Generally, these
skaters are working towards some personal goals which may involve
figure skating, hockey or ringette. An intermediate level freeskater
should skate a minimum of three times a week, with four times per week
being ideal. Senior figure skaters will train more often, and sessions
will be longer depending on training goals.
What equipment does my child need?
First
and foremost, your child needs good skates. The kind of skates suitable
for your child will depend on the program you're enrolling in, and on
your child's size and strength. Some skate brands will be more suitable
for your child than others. In general, we recommend that you do not
buy molded (plastic) figure skates. They usually don't flex well enough
through the ankle to allow a proper knee bend and range of motion. Ask
one of the coaches to take a look at your child and recommend some
options.
All skaters in the Kidskate and CanSkate programs are required to wear CSA approved hockey helmets.
How do I buy skates for my child?
There's
no such thing as weak ankles, but there are plenty of skates on the
market with weak ankle support! Look for thick, leather skates with
generous ankle support. These will conform to the foot in time. The
toes should be able to wiggle, the heel should fit snugly. Properly
fitted skates are usually one size smaller than your normal shoe size.
A thin acrylic blend sock or stocking allows the skate to have a snug
fit that permits the toes to be relaxed in the toe box.
How should I take care of my child's skates?
One
of the most important piece of equipment to a skater is, not
surprisingly...the skates. Taking good care of your child's skates
helps their performance and ensures their safety on the ice.
Moisture
should be wiped off the blades, soles, and leather uppers of skates
after each skating session in order to prevent rusting, and to maintain
the quality of the leather. Skates should be allowed to dry thoroughly
when not in use (do not keep skates in a sealed bag between sessions).
A
beeswax preparation can be applied periodically to help ‘waterproof'
leather soles (eg. Sno-Seal). Scuffs to leather uppers can be minimized
by use of boot covers or removable tape (eg. SK8tape). Skate polish can
be applied as needed to give a clean appearance to the boots but remove
old polish and do not polish too often since this contributes to
buildup.
A lways have your child wear skate guards to protect his
or her blades when walking on hard surfaces. Cloth blade covers should
be used to protect blades when skates are not in use (remove the skate
guards when skates are stored).
Intervals between sharpenings are
largely determined by personal preference. As a rule of thumb, blades
can be sharpened after 25-30 hours of use. Always choose services from
reputable technicians who are experienced at sharpening figure skates.
Resource - "What to know about Skate Sharpening" by Eric Neubauer
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