So it’s been a while since I have posted on the blog, but I just felt a need to write about this subject. Every day that I am on the ice during Public Skate, I see beginner skaters showing up in shorts or dresses and a short sleeve shirt. Not only that. When they put on skates, they tend to be way too large and the skates are either not laced up at all or very loose. Now that is a recipe for disaster!
Here are some tips for first time and beginner skaters:
- Wear warm pants like jeans or sweat pants.
- Wear a long sleeved shirt and a jacket.
- Bring along gloves.
- Young children especially, should be wearing a helmet.
- Wear thin and long socks (not tennis socks) to prevent blisters.
- Make sure your skates fit properly (I recommend starting with figure skating skates). Skates need to be snug!
- Lacing up skates can be tricky. It is important that your laces are even and not too short. Start tightening your laces front he bottom of the boot, then cross the laces and use the first set of hooks. Then you cross the laces again and hook the next set of hooks… keep going that way until you are at the very top! Make sure the top of the boot is tied snug as well. To finish up, tie your laces and double knot it for extra safety. If your laces are too long you can tuck them under the tied laces.
