Bunny Hop
02-13-2006, 05:44 AM
Yes, I'm afraid it's another boots 'n' blades question!
The time has come when the need to replace my 20 year old skates has become pressing - the odd twinge in my ankle whilst skating has been replaced by sore ankles when not skating, so I really need to do something about the boot situation as soon as possible. I will obviously be consulting my coach about this, but I won't be skating this week as it's half-term here in England, meaning wall-to-wall disco sessions at the rink. Will also be making sure any boots I get are properly fitted. I would, however, still appreciate some outside input.
Vital statistics about me that may be useful to know: I'm a 35 year old female, 163cm (5'4) in height, a little overweight but not fat. Skated for two years in my early teens, group lessons only. Took up skating again a year ago, and currently skate once a week - half hour private lesson plus 1.5 hours practice (would like to do more, but I work full time and the rink timetable is not helpful in this regard). I've recently moved beyond re-learning the stuff I could do as a teenager (darn 3-turns and back cross-overs - they used to be easy!) onto new stuff, such as fwd and bwd cross-rolls, one foot slalom. I don't expect I will ever get beyond a few basic single jumps, but I dare say (and hope) that is some way off yet. Have also been working (and not getting very far) on a two foot spin. I am also keen to do some dance, and have tried the Dutch Waltz with my husband, though not in the hold (he learnt it in the US, where he goes regularly for work).
I've gone back and looked at a large number of previous posts on this topic and done a bit of research, and think I'm probably looking at getting some Gam boots. Rejected Risports as everyone seems to agree they are only appropriate for narrow feet. Rejected Belati as almost nobody had a good word to say on them. Rejected Edea because I personally don't much like the look of them (very shallow of me, I know!). My feet are wide, but not excessively so, with a slightly high instep. Which brings me to my first question - there seems to be some contradictory information about the width of Gams - in other people's experience, are they okay for non-narrow feet?
Also (and this is where I will be getting coach & fitter input as well) if I do go with the Gams, I'm not sure which model would be appropriate. There look to be two options: the Gam 0095 'Ultra' for advanced intermediate or the Gam 0070 'Spectra' for intermediate level. The chart on the Gam website (http://www.gamskates.com/main.html, choose the Skates option, then 'Boot Application Chart' at upper right) shows the 0095 as being suitable for adults 'with restrictions' (don't know what that means), fine for up to double jumps (like that will every be relevant!) and for dance. On the other hand the 0070 is fine for adults, and up to double jumps, but makes no mention of dance. I'm leaning towards the 0095, but am wary of getting a boot that's too advanced for me. So anyone with any experience of these is welcome to offer an opinion.
Finally, and I realise this post is already rather long, a blades question. I realise that the Coronation Ace and MK Professional blades are roughly equivalent to each other, but does anybody have any reason for prefering one over the other?
Thanks. Looking forward to hearing what you think.
The time has come when the need to replace my 20 year old skates has become pressing - the odd twinge in my ankle whilst skating has been replaced by sore ankles when not skating, so I really need to do something about the boot situation as soon as possible. I will obviously be consulting my coach about this, but I won't be skating this week as it's half-term here in England, meaning wall-to-wall disco sessions at the rink. Will also be making sure any boots I get are properly fitted. I would, however, still appreciate some outside input.
Vital statistics about me that may be useful to know: I'm a 35 year old female, 163cm (5'4) in height, a little overweight but not fat. Skated for two years in my early teens, group lessons only. Took up skating again a year ago, and currently skate once a week - half hour private lesson plus 1.5 hours practice (would like to do more, but I work full time and the rink timetable is not helpful in this regard). I've recently moved beyond re-learning the stuff I could do as a teenager (darn 3-turns and back cross-overs - they used to be easy!) onto new stuff, such as fwd and bwd cross-rolls, one foot slalom. I don't expect I will ever get beyond a few basic single jumps, but I dare say (and hope) that is some way off yet. Have also been working (and not getting very far) on a two foot spin. I am also keen to do some dance, and have tried the Dutch Waltz with my husband, though not in the hold (he learnt it in the US, where he goes regularly for work).
I've gone back and looked at a large number of previous posts on this topic and done a bit of research, and think I'm probably looking at getting some Gam boots. Rejected Risports as everyone seems to agree they are only appropriate for narrow feet. Rejected Belati as almost nobody had a good word to say on them. Rejected Edea because I personally don't much like the look of them (very shallow of me, I know!). My feet are wide, but not excessively so, with a slightly high instep. Which brings me to my first question - there seems to be some contradictory information about the width of Gams - in other people's experience, are they okay for non-narrow feet?
Also (and this is where I will be getting coach & fitter input as well) if I do go with the Gams, I'm not sure which model would be appropriate. There look to be two options: the Gam 0095 'Ultra' for advanced intermediate or the Gam 0070 'Spectra' for intermediate level. The chart on the Gam website (http://www.gamskates.com/main.html, choose the Skates option, then 'Boot Application Chart' at upper right) shows the 0095 as being suitable for adults 'with restrictions' (don't know what that means), fine for up to double jumps (like that will every be relevant!) and for dance. On the other hand the 0070 is fine for adults, and up to double jumps, but makes no mention of dance. I'm leaning towards the 0095, but am wary of getting a boot that's too advanced for me. So anyone with any experience of these is welcome to offer an opinion.
Finally, and I realise this post is already rather long, a blades question. I realise that the Coronation Ace and MK Professional blades are roughly equivalent to each other, but does anybody have any reason for prefering one over the other?
Thanks. Looking forward to hearing what you think.