ADEQUATE SUPPORT FROM THE SKATING BOOT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO SKATING-WEAK, SOFT, FLACCID SKATING BOOTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
- If you do not have skates, do NOT purchase them until you discuss fundamentals with your instructor. The skating instructors can help you determine what kind of skates will meet your needs best.
- If you do not have your own skates we recommend using the rink rental skates for your first few weeks of instruction, then decide if purchase of new skates is warranted.
- Most inexpensive skates (especially figure) sold in stores or found at yard sales do NOT offer sufficient support to make your skating experience pleasant. If the boot ankle is just one layer of leather (or faux leather), don't buy them, no matter how appealing the price is.
- Quality used skates have a good resale value, and will save your skater a lot of frustration.
- Your skates must fit close-they should feel tight, but not painful...like a firm handshake.
- DO NOT size skates with extra thick, heavy, or double pairs of socks.
- DO NOT buy skates large allowing for “growing into them”. One layer of socks of moderate to thin weight is preferable for best skate fit, thus best skate control.
- New skates must be sharpened. Second-hand skates usually need to be sharpened as well. Dull skates make learning difficult.
- DO NOT buy double runner skates. Walking around on double-runner skates does not help children learn to skate.