Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should a skater practice?
A good rule of thumb is, for every lesson you take, you should practice at least once before your next lesson in order to improve. Check the following web-sites for open Freestyle sessions. www.champlainvalleyskatingclub.org and www.enjoyburlington.com/leddypark.cfm
What is the next step after basic skills?
After you complete the basic 8 you may continue to the USFS levels. If you like to jump and spin than Moves in the Field and Freestyle might be for you, both start at Pre-Preliminary and go through Senior (Gold). If you love edges and expressing music ice dance might be for you. Ice Dance starts at Preliminary and finishes through gold and international dances. All of these have tests you can take in front of judges to pass to the next level. The test will qualify you for different levels at competitions.
Why is the benefit of having a private coach?
Having a private coach would help you excel at a faster pace, you will get personal assistance on difficult skills. It is also very helpful to have a private coach at competitions.
What should my skater practice?
If you are a basic skills skater you can bring your basic skills book to your practice sessions and refer to it for things to practice. If you are at a higher level you may refer to the USFS rule book or ask you coach to give you a list that you may write down in a notebook.
How often should my skater sharpen their skates?
Each skater is different. Some like very sharp skates all the time and some may like a duller skate. A good rule of thumb is every 20 hours. This is where having a skating notebook comes in handy. You may want to write down when, where and what radius of each sharpening. This way you will always know when you may need a new sharpening.
What do I need to bring to a competition?
You will need...
Skates
Gardes and Soakers
Performance outfit
Warm up jacket
Gloves
Tights (clean with no holes)
Clean skates for non over the boot tight skaters
Sneakers for warm up and cool down
Two copies of your music
Extra laces
Sewing Kit
Make up
Safety Pins
Hair Accessories
Hair product such as hairspray and comb
Healthy Snack
Water Bottle
First Aide Kit
Screw Driver and Spare Screws
Medication
USFS Number and Event Number
Directions to the Rink
What should my skater where on the ice?
If your skater is a beginner, they should be dressed as if they were going to play in the snow. The rink is cold to keep the ice cold. A winter jacket with snow pants, mittens and a helmet are recommended. If the skater is more advanced and will be skating on a freestyle session they can where a pair of athletic leggings or a dress/shirt with tights, with many layers on top and gloves or mittens.
How often should my skater practice on and off ice?
TIPS FOR BUYING ICE SKATES
Getting a pair of skates that fit well and provide good support are essential to an enjoyable and successful skating season. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for skate shopping:
Good used skates can be okay for your child, especially in the beginning stages. If you do buy used, you may have to know a bit about the brand and model of the boot and blade you purchase. Ask your coach about suggestions on what to look for. Sometimes a good used boot and blade set is better than an inexpensive, lower-quality new boot and blade. Make sure the boot has support and the blade has some “sharpening life” left in it. Ask questions about the boot and blade if you buy at a skate swap or from another skating family.
What to avoid: anything with heavy creases at the ankle, a sign that the boot is broken down and won’t support you; rough patches inside the boot, which can lead to blisters; and rusty or nicked blades. Check to make sure the blade is not rocked off the back or missing parts of the bottom toe pick, which will lead to falling backwards and delaying spin and jump developement.
Appropriate quality of the boot/blade to the level of skating and the amount of time on the ice
A boot that is too stiff for the level of skating will not break in, and a child will not want to skate for long if the skates hurt. Explain to your child that a good boot may hurt at first and to expect a “break-in” period.
Many skate companies have a web site that describes an appropriate boot/blade combo for a particular level of skating.
Appropriate quality of the boot/blade combination to the size of the individual
A small skater doing a lot of skating and progressing fast may need a higher quality boot and blade than the same size skater who puts in less ice time and less aggressive practice.
The higher quality blades are sharpened less often and have a nice flow on the ice. Again, companies publish general suggestions. Don’t skimp on your child’s blade. As he or she begins to master spins and jumps, the quality of the blade will affect spins and jump quality.
Top 10 Best Figure Skates For 2019
1. Jackson Ultima JS1290
Beginner/Intermediate
2. Riedell 110 Opal
Beginner
3. Mystique Jackson
Intermediate
4. Botas Regina
Beginner
5. Riedell 119 Emerald
Intermediate/Advanced
6. Jackson Ultima DJ2190
Advanced
7. Jackson Artiste Series
Advanced
8. Botas Dagmar
Beginner
9. Botas Robin
Beginner/Intermediate
10. Jackson Ultima GS180
Beginner
A good rule of thumb is, for every lesson you take, you should practice at least once before your next lesson in order to improve. Check the following web-sites for open Freestyle sessions. www.champlainvalleyskatingclub.org and www.enjoyburlington.com/leddypark.cfm
What is the next step after basic skills?
After you complete the basic 8 you may continue to the USFS levels. If you like to jump and spin than Moves in the Field and Freestyle might be for you, both start at Pre-Preliminary and go through Senior (Gold). If you love edges and expressing music ice dance might be for you. Ice Dance starts at Preliminary and finishes through gold and international dances. All of these have tests you can take in front of judges to pass to the next level. The test will qualify you for different levels at competitions.
Why is the benefit of having a private coach?
Having a private coach would help you excel at a faster pace, you will get personal assistance on difficult skills. It is also very helpful to have a private coach at competitions.
What should my skater practice?
If you are a basic skills skater you can bring your basic skills book to your practice sessions and refer to it for things to practice. If you are at a higher level you may refer to the USFS rule book or ask you coach to give you a list that you may write down in a notebook.
How often should my skater sharpen their skates?
Each skater is different. Some like very sharp skates all the time and some may like a duller skate. A good rule of thumb is every 20 hours. This is where having a skating notebook comes in handy. You may want to write down when, where and what radius of each sharpening. This way you will always know when you may need a new sharpening.
What do I need to bring to a competition?
You will need...
Skates
Gardes and Soakers
Performance outfit
Warm up jacket
Gloves
Tights (clean with no holes)
Clean skates for non over the boot tight skaters
Sneakers for warm up and cool down
Two copies of your music
Extra laces
Sewing Kit
Make up
Safety Pins
Hair Accessories
Hair product such as hairspray and comb
Healthy Snack
Water Bottle
First Aide Kit
Screw Driver and Spare Screws
Medication
USFS Number and Event Number
Directions to the Rink
What should my skater where on the ice?
If your skater is a beginner, they should be dressed as if they were going to play in the snow. The rink is cold to keep the ice cold. A winter jacket with snow pants, mittens and a helmet are recommended. If the skater is more advanced and will be skating on a freestyle session they can where a pair of athletic leggings or a dress/shirt with tights, with many layers on top and gloves or mittens.
How often should my skater practice on and off ice?
TIPS FOR BUYING ICE SKATES
Getting a pair of skates that fit well and provide good support are essential to an enjoyable and successful skating season. Here are a few do’s and don’ts for skate shopping:
- Do NOT buy skates that are too large, thinking your child will grow into them
- A thin sock or tights should be worn in skates. Feet actually stay warmer!
- Avoid skates that are molded out of plastic – they do not allow for the kind of ankle flexibility needed.
- Follow these steps for trying on skates:
- 1. Unlace the boot very loosely and pull the tongue forward as far as the laces go.
- 2. While seated, insert the foot. Slide it all the way forward, being sure to keep toes flat.
- 3. Check to see if you can insert your index finger behind the heel. Ideally, it’s a tight squeeze -only half a finger width is recommended. If you can get a full finger in, the boot is too long. If you can’t fit it in at all, the boot may be too small.
- 4. Now kick the heel to the very back of the boot. Curl the tongue in around the foot and ankle and do up the laces firmly, but not too tightly.
- 5. After lacing up both skates, stand up in them. Toes of both feet should lay flat and not touching the ends of the skate.
- 6. Take a walk in the skates. Heels of both feet should not lift at all, and should be snugly in the skate.
- 7. The skater should be able to stand up completely straight, without any leaning in or out around the ankle area. If the ankles are buckling while standing, the skates do not have enough support.
- 1. Unlace the boot very loosely and pull the tongue forward as far as the laces go.
Good used skates can be okay for your child, especially in the beginning stages. If you do buy used, you may have to know a bit about the brand and model of the boot and blade you purchase. Ask your coach about suggestions on what to look for. Sometimes a good used boot and blade set is better than an inexpensive, lower-quality new boot and blade. Make sure the boot has support and the blade has some “sharpening life” left in it. Ask questions about the boot and blade if you buy at a skate swap or from another skating family.
What to avoid: anything with heavy creases at the ankle, a sign that the boot is broken down and won’t support you; rough patches inside the boot, which can lead to blisters; and rusty or nicked blades. Check to make sure the blade is not rocked off the back or missing parts of the bottom toe pick, which will lead to falling backwards and delaying spin and jump developement.
Appropriate quality of the boot/blade to the level of skating and the amount of time on the ice
A boot that is too stiff for the level of skating will not break in, and a child will not want to skate for long if the skates hurt. Explain to your child that a good boot may hurt at first and to expect a “break-in” period.
Many skate companies have a web site that describes an appropriate boot/blade combo for a particular level of skating.
Appropriate quality of the boot/blade combination to the size of the individual
A small skater doing a lot of skating and progressing fast may need a higher quality boot and blade than the same size skater who puts in less ice time and less aggressive practice.
The higher quality blades are sharpened less often and have a nice flow on the ice. Again, companies publish general suggestions. Don’t skimp on your child’s blade. As he or she begins to master spins and jumps, the quality of the blade will affect spins and jump quality.
Top 10 Best Figure Skates For 2019
1. Jackson Ultima JS1290
Beginner/Intermediate
2. Riedell 110 Opal
Beginner
3. Mystique Jackson
Intermediate
4. Botas Regina
Beginner
5. Riedell 119 Emerald
Intermediate/Advanced
6. Jackson Ultima DJ2190
Advanced
7. Jackson Artiste Series
Advanced
8. Botas Dagmar
Beginner
9. Botas Robin
Beginner/Intermediate
10. Jackson Ultima GS180
Beginner
