Here is a list of my favorite skating must-haves.

Be sure to wear warm layers, athletic leggings, and a movable jacket without a hood. My little ones can wear optional snow pants for extra padding. Lightweight socks should be high enough to come above the skate to prevent the ankles from rubbing. Gloves or mittens are vital for keeping the hands warm. I recommend helmets to all my beginners, especially if they are under 6 years of age. Lastly, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated!

Here is a list of my favorite skate brands.

Buying your first pair of skates is exciting! You will find that they are much more comfortable than rental skates and it will be easier to perform your skills, as the skates are custom tailored to fit your foot size and skating abilities. Contact your local skate pro shop, who will take a measurement of your feet and then choose a skating boot and blade that best fits your skating levels and goals. Your skate can be heat molded to fit your foot like a glove. You can also ask about a used pair of skates.

Private lessons are a fantastic opportunity for one-on-one learning with a coach of your choice. The lesson is individualized to best fit one’s skating needs. Private lessons are a great way to complement group lessons, which is based on the Learn to Skate curriculum. A private coach can guide the student to compete, test, and perform in skating shows. Group lessons are great for making lifelong friendships and experiencing different teaching styles from a variety of coaches. I recommend a combination of both when starting out!

It is never too early to start! I recommend private lessons to any skater who enjoys skating, those who thrive better in a private setting, and those looking for extra help to pass their Learn to Skate class.

Lessons range from 30-60 minutes on average. Rates vary based on the experience and qualifications of the coach. The commitment is dependent on the skater’s level and goals. Some students sign up for occasional lessons while others may have several lessons per week. The lesson scheduling is arranged to best fit the student, coach, and ice time availability. Skaters pay the rink separately for their ice time and skate rentals.

Try on both hockey and figure skate rentals until the most comfortable pair is found. I recommend choosing the skate based off the skater’s goals (if they want to figure skate vs play hockey) as transitioning between the two will take some time. Figure skates are generally easier to learn in. The blade is longer, extending past the boot, so the weight is distributed more evenly and the skater is less likely to fall backwards. However, figure skates have a toe pick which beginners may be tempted to incorrectly use to push off and stop. If a skater tends to lean forwards, they can trip over their toe pick.

Hockey skates feel more similar to inline skates. They have a stiffer boot with a curved blade instead of a toe pick, meaning more speed and quicker turns. However, there can have a steeper learning curve due to less stability. The rocker (curved part of the blade) is set differently, making it harder to spin. There is no toe pick, making jumping difficult as well.

Avoid double blade skates! They will give more balance and stability at first, but are not suitable for jumping, spinning, etc and will lead to more frustration in the long run.

Skating boots will be more snug than a sneaker and often one will size down. Toes should be able to wiggle and the heel should not slide. Make sure the skate is not too broken down at the ankle (folds in the skate boot) so the skater has proper support.

• Tap the heel all the way back into the boot

• Pull the tongue up and tuck it into the ankle

• Tighten the laces from the toes first, all the way up to the ankle

• Cross laces over the hooks tightly

• If there is extra lace, avoid wrapping it around the skate. Instead, cross it again over the hooks

• Tie a double knot and tuck in extra laces inside the boot to prevent tripping

• There should be less than one finger width that can fit between the ankle and skate

• Double check that the ankle is not too broken down (folds in skates) and that there are no obvious nicks in the blades

• Take a few steps off-ice. If the skate feels uncomfortable, retie and adjust the skate

Blades should be sharpened roughly every 20-25 hours of practice or if there are any huge nicks in the blade. Make sure you have your skates sharpened by an experienced professional. Ask your coach for the best recommendations in the area. A bad sharpening can shorten the life of the blade. Figure skate and hockey skate sharpenings are different. Be sure to properly wipe down the blades, use skate blade soakers, and hard guards for proper blade care.

Yes! I recommend checking out USFS

Feel free to ask further questions by contacting me here :)