Equipment for CanSkate
Skaters joining our CanSkate program should have the following equipment:
- CSA approved helmet ( see guidelines below)
- Proper fitting Figure or Hockey skates. We do not recommend plastic or adjustable skates ( see guidelines below)
- Proper clothing -layers are best. We do not recommend snowsuits. Consider Long Johns with jogging pants and a light waterproof pant over top and a thermal shirt with a long sleeved t-shirt and sweater for the top.
- Gloves or mittens
Proper equipment is essential to becoming skilled in most sports and skating is no exception! Skaters cannot learn skills unless their skates fit well and support their ankles. If your child cannot walk across the floor holding his/her ankles up it is highly unlikely that he/she will be any better on ice.
It is important to remember that learning to skate should be a fun and successful experience. It should not be lessened by poor quality equipment or physical discomfort. A well thought out purchase of good skates will encourage enthusiasm and excitement in anyone learning to skate.
If at any time you have quest or concerns regarding your equipment, please consult with any of the coaches.
How to Purchase Skates
Wearing the proper skates is very important for your child’s success in skating. Skaters in CanSkate can wear either hockey or figure style skates. We recommend that you purchase skates that have laces and not clips or dials to tighten. Skates with laces allow for the skate to be better adjusted to fit the child’s growing foot. We also DO NOT recommend that you get adjustable skates. While this may seem like a cost saving option with a young child that is growing rapidly, it is really detrimental to their progress. As you enlarge these type of skates, the blade becomes too short for the boot and it causes difficulty for the skater to maintain proper balance and technique.
Clothing
- Clothing should provide warmth, allow for movement and provide some protection from falls.
- Avoid clothing that is too bulky or restrictive.
- Snowsuits are not recommended.
- Turtlenecks and a sweater or jacket on top should be sufficient.
- Wind pants or track pants over long comfortable pants are recommended to keep your skater warm and dry.
- Mittens and gloves are a must. A backup pair should be provided in case they get wet.
- Long scarves are not to be worn.
- Coaches use markers and bingo dabbers to draw circuits on ice . This can stain clothes and should be taken into consideration when choosing what to wear.
Sharpening your skates
- Sharpen skates when purchased.
- Re-sharpen after approximately 30 hours of skating ( depending on use and care)
- More frequent sharpening may be required if the skater walks on concrete, rubber or carpeted surfaces without guards, if the blades aren’t wiped dry or if there are severe nicks and rough surfaces on the blade edges.
- If your child wears figure skates, the bottom pick should not be removed – the pick is part of the design of figure skates and is essential to proper balance.
Helmet Guidelines
CSA approved hockey helmets are mandatory for ALL CanSkaters
- The helmet fit should be snug
- Hair should not be in a high ponytail under the helmet… this interferes with fit
- Face mask/cages are optional
- Both the strap and helmet should be adjustable
- Stickers should not be placed on the helmet
Link to Skate Canada video on proper equipment
https://youtu.be/WTQ2Yr5pdR0?list=PLvE0VdQZtzvcMHVjH42POEJD5sRSshfT
Examples of Recommended Skates:
Examples of Skates Not Recommended:
