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SHREVEPORT FIGURE SKATING
What to Bring
Water
Skaters may bring plastic or reusable water bottles on the ice
Warm Clothes
Light jacket, long pants that allow movement (leggings, sweatpants, joggers) and gloves
Footwear
Long socks and ice skates + skate guards (if you have your own)
Protective Gear
Skaters ages 5-6 years old MUST wear a protective helmet on the ice at all times while skating. Knee and elbow pads are optional
Ice Skate Maintenance
Buy
What to buy to take care of your ice skates
After you have purchased ice skates (scroll down to our FAQ tab below for information on what brand to purchase and where) you will need a few things to take care of them:
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A skate bag: The bag skaters choose to carry their skates in is completely up to them! Luggage bags, Zuca brand skate bags, duffel bags, and backpacks are what most skaters use
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Skate guards: Ice skates require two types of blade guards-- hard plastic guards for walking across floors and soakers to absorb any excess moisture on the blades after skating. It is important that the plastic guards are not left on the blades after skating because this will cause the blades to rust! Skaters must dry their skates and place soakers on the blades after skating. Guard Dog brand skate guards are a highly recommended brand of plastic skate guards and can be found on Amazon. Soakers can be any brand and are also found on Amazon.
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A towel: Skaters must have a towel or a rag in their skate bag to dry their blades off after skating
Care
How to take care of your ice skates
The #1 tip of taking care of your ice skates is DO NOT LEAVE SKATES IN THE CAR! For at home care, skates should be aired out in a cool, dry area to prevent the leather boot from breaking down.
As stated above, do not leave your plastic guards on the skates. To prevent the blades from rusting, you must dry your skates and put the soakers on after skating.
Sharpening
When to get your skates sharpened
How often you sharpen your skates is dependent on how often you skate. Typically, skaters get their skates sharpened every 6-8 weeks. If you are skating and your blades feel like they are slipping underneath you when you try to stop, that is an indicator of your blades in need of being sharpened.
If you need your skates sharpened, contact Ronnie Patterson. More info here.
What to Expect
Sign In
Skate Tying
Please arrive to the ice rink 15-20 minutes early to have adequate time to sign in at the skate rental counter and put gear on. After skaters receive their rental skates (if needed), walk up the ramp into the rink, and take a left on the concourse where the black rubber floor mats are to put on equipment. Please keep skates on the rubber mats and off the concrete! Skaters must wait until class time to enter the ice and may wait in front of the door entering the ice.
Class Structure
Ice skates must fit snug to the skater's foot to ensure safety. To put on rental skates, loosen the laces and pull up the tongue so the skater can easily place their foot in. Socks should be straightened so there are no folds that could cause discomfort. Have the skater place their foot into the skate. To ensure their heel is snug to the heel of the ice skate, have skaters gently tap their heel on the rubber mat. Make sure the tongue is pulled all the way up before straightening it to the skater's ankle. Start from the bottom of the boot and tighten the laces so they are secure (but not too tight). When tying the hooks, criss-cross between each set of hooks. It does not matter if the laces are hooked over or under the hooks as long as they are secure. These hooks provide the skater with ankle support, so it is very important to tie these securely while allowing the skater to bend their knees and ankles. Finish the skate lacing with a bow. If laces are too long, re-hook over some of the previous hooks. Have the skater walk around a few steps to test out their skates and re-tie if necessary. Below is a video link on how to tie ice skates.
Classes are an hour long. Time is divided between instructional time and individual practice time. Practice time is optional for the skater, but it is a great block of time for the skaters to practice skills in a less crowded environment.
Work & Play
Skating with peers is highly encouraged during practice sessions! One of the best ways skaters can learn is by having fun skating around with peers through games such as racing, playing tag, and challenging each other to try new skills. Skaters work on power, edge control, coordination, and various other skills while competing with peers without even realizing it!
FAQ
Where do I buy skates and what brand do I get?
For beginner skaters, Jackson Ultima or Riedell skates are highly recommended.
To purchase in person:
Houston
Houston Skate and Sport Orthotics Center
11231 Richmond Ave Unit D102, Houston, TX 77082
Please book an appointment at houstonskatesports.com
Dallas
Visit any Dallas StarCenter branch and go to the information desk for information about purchasing ice skates
To purchase online:
Many of our skaters purchase skates from Amazon, Jackson Skates, or Figureskatingstore.com
You can look at the Jackson Fit Guide to determine what skates are best for the skater's ability.
When should I purchase my own ice skates?
Rental skates are great for beginner skaters, but once skaters reach around Basic 3-4 personal ice skates are necessary for proper skill acquisition. Skaters who plan to compete need their own ice skates in order to have the necessary support for training. When purchasing skates, skaters must also buy skate guards for proper care. They will need "soakers" and plastic guards to protect their skates off the ice. Please refer to our "How to Care for Ice Skates" page for information on what to purchase and how to take care of your skates. It is highly recommended all skaters have their own skateguards. Otherwise skates will need to be removed to go to the restroom.
Am I too old to start ice skating?
Nope! Ice skating is for all ages! We provide instruction for skaters ages 5+ and love serving a variety of ages.
Do I have to attend every class?
No, you are not required to attend every class in order to be in the program. Your skater may attend any/all classes offered but must be registered in Learn to Skate USA to attend.