FSWer, do you actually have a broken hook? Because I've never had a broken hook, my mom didn't have a broken hook on skates 30 years old, and none of my skating friends ever complained to me about broken hooks either. So overall I'd say breaking a hook takes some serious doing.

I once had a bent hook, but that was easily fixed by a pair of pliers and a few minutes of my time.

Also, what happened to your old laces?
And yes you can get new laces at any skating shop, and you can do so next time you go skating.

My broken hook wasn't actually broken - the entire hook came out of the leather. That's why we just put an eyelet in the hole instead of trying to reinsert the hook. I've never actually had a hook break, either.

LOL,no. Just want to be prepered. I do need a spare pair of laces though. I have DBX skates. Are the hooks great on those? Also,just to know....what do you do if they rip from the leather? Are hooks and surcured to the leather of DBX Skates well, and good quality? Just checking.

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FSWer

I'm afraid I don't know anything about DBX skates, sorry. But people don't generally have trouble with hooks breaking on any skates.

When mine pulled out, it left a hole in the boot where the hook used to be. I just had the shoemaker put an eyelet there, like the ones at the bottom of the boot. So instead of hooking the lace, I just threaded it through. No big deal.

I don't think you have to worry about your hooks unless something actually happens.

FSW'er, I think it's a safe bet to say that you will never have the problem of pulling a hook out, so long as you don't let your skates lie around wet in the skating bag to rot - and we know you take care of your skates! I mean, have you ever had a hook come out of your shoes, such as walking shoes? Until you start doing single jumps such as the flip or the loop, you're not doing anything to your skates that you're not doing to your shoes, and skate hooks are better attached than shoe hooks tend to be. So relax. Even if you do pull out a hook, with the skates you have, any shoemaker should be able to insert an iron ring instead of the missing hook.

As for the spare laces - well I've never broken a lace either. I got new laces because I wanted wider laces, and because my old laces had blood stains on them (from my fingers). As far as I know, people don't usually keep spare laces in their skating bags unless they're their old pair, because you can get them at any skating rink store, anytime. So just get a pair next time you're skating, if it makes you feel safer. They're only a few dollars after all.

hey FSWer,
You've had this thread now about 18-months, and
look at all the exciting things you've learned:
* the difference between Hockey, & Figure-skates
* how to dress, for practice...
* how to lace-up your skates correctly,
* how to Care for your blades & boots
* how to March & Glide,
* how to Swizzle, & stop
* how to avoid collisions, and get back up!

Say how often? do you appreciate all the positive skills
you've already learned, & the joy you feel...
and cheerfully looking forward to learning yet more skills...

What are you presently learning? Have fun!

HEY!!!!!!! I owe it ALL to you guys!!!!! You all are the BEST Friends a skater like me has ever had. Besides Caitlin who coached me at Learn to Skate.You all have SURELY helped me a lot!!!! You are all the NICEST Skaters EVER!!!!!

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FSWer

Say,I was also wondering....should the coat you wear to keep warm on the Rink (if you were a coat) be the same coat (kind) of coat you are wearing for the season? If it's winter...should I be wearing my Winter coat in the Rink?

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FSWer

Well that really depends on the sort of rink you have. Some rinks are half-open, meaning that they do have a roof but not (full) side-walls, and temperatures at those rinks tend to be much colder in winter than in autumn and spring. There, it could be a good idea to wear your winter coat in winter if you get cold.
Other rinks are fully closed and maintain exactly the same hall and ice temperature all through the year, with perhaps only a few degrees difference. There, it really makes no sense to wear a different coat in winter than in autumn and spring.

Generally, I would have to say that unless you're actually feeling cold when you're skating, you shouldn't wear your winter coat, but rather wear a fleece jacket or jeans jacket or something like that. A winter coat is often bulky, making it hard to tell what exactly your body's position is, and it can be important for coaches to see your body position to determine whether or not you're making any errors in your skating.
Nevertheless, if you're really cold when skating in a fleece jacket, jeans jacket or pullover, you should wear your winter coat. If you're not cold, then don't wear it. Personally, I've never worn my winter coat on an indoor ice rink.

I skate at Newington Arena in Ct. They are all closed in with a full roof.

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FSWer

At my rink, we don't wear winter coats while skating, even in the winter. We generally layer up fleece jackets and/or sweatshirts. Winter coats are too heavy and just get in the way. Layers are good because you can take them off if you get too hot. Sometimes I'm down to just a T-shirt even in the winter.

Ok people!!!!!! I just finally got back on the ice today and now at this time, as an On Ice Skater want to submit my report....um-um...

I got to Newington Arena about 11:20 AM (one of the staff dropped me off). They were still having a Hockey Game in the Blue Rink (were Public Skate would be). So I went to the Food Court and ordered a soda (a Root Beer). The Front Ofice was empty because of people on Lunch at the time. So I went into (what was once) the Pro Shop, and asked the guy if they did repairs and sold laces there (at the Rink for the future),and he said they didn't sell laces there,nor do repairs. He was only there sharpening skates. I also just want to make a report to all On Ice Skaters on Newington Arena's x-Pro shop, and just let everyone here know that I not only double checked with the guy at the front counter about laces and repairs (just in case the guy in the shop might have been a volenteer,and wanted wanted to suggest anyway that maybe they start selling laces,etc.,as well as just to be sure)on how much truth there was in what I heard about the Pro -Shop closing,and he said that nothing was going in that space,as nobody wanted to rent it out (yes the Rink owns it now). He did say however that there MIGHT be a possibility of something in the future. But for now it's empty. Anyway back to my Skating. I put my skates on out in the lobby and walked around with the blade protectors from when you buy skates in the store on (LOL,so I surely hope I didn't ruin my blades,maybe someone here can tell me if they'd be ok,and if they have done that). As I wasn't sure how to put my gaurds on. But someone who was skating showed me how to use them. I showed my passes and went into the Rink. All skaters went in the first door today,and the Zomboni (sorry for my spelling) had just finish smoothing the ice. I got on and I tell ya...it felt GOOD to finally get back!!!! I tried lifting my leg for a Spiral. But..LOL, I feel doing it. But I give myself credit for getting my leg up higher then I ever have. At least I THINK I did, because it felt like it.LOL. I tried skating to music today and I believe I did well. Only feel down about 4 times. I also tried watching the OTHER Skaters and do what THEY do. As Public Skate was PACKED today!!! I pacticed a little of gliding into the boards,and I THINK I finally figured out WHAT I was doing wrong (as I went forward). But I'm not sure. I also saw a Paren skating holding a toddler wearing skates up. I tell you. You would need VERY GOOD conferdence in yourself,and be a very good skater to do that. Even with a Rink full of Skaters!! Anyway after Public Skate I took my skates off,dried off my blades,laces and skates, and went out to wait for my ride. I went to get another Root beer,and I tell you....I was surely treated like a skater by the guy at the food court. As he gave me my next soda for FREE!!! I then went to Dicks to buy some laces..As they had them. It turns out laces for skates are laces for skates. I got over 100 Feet. As well as stoped at CVS. and got some Dish clothes to use as soakers,and then went home. My next report on Feb.,15th. If all gos well. I would also like to invite anyone who lives close enough to Newington Arena (if they would love to and meet me) to come to a Public Skate with me. would let you kwow when I'll be there and at what time.

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FSWer

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YEAH!! - GOOD for you!

Don't worry, it takes a lot to ruin the actual *blades* of your skates. The main reasons for ruined blades are 1. extensive rust and 2. very unprofessionally done sharpenings (if they damage the toepicks, or the shape of the blade - I know 2 places in the Netherlands where *not* to take your figure skates). The bad places to sharpen skates are pretty rare and always VERY well known amongst coaches so if your coach didn't tell you guys not to get your skates sharpened at your rink, then I'm quite sure your skating shop's sharpenings are just fine.

Apart from that, to actually damage your blades you'd have to walk on them for quite a bit over asphalt or something. Once I was walking over asphalt, in guards, and one of my guards came off and I walked a few steps before noticing - my blades were still fine, but I did need a sharpening. Also, once I skated over a coin somebody dropped at a public skate, and that didn't ruin my blades either - I just needed a very thorough sharpening after that to take the dent in my edge out (that sort of sharpenings take away some from the life span of your blades, but again, the blades were not ruined). I didn't even have it done right away by the way - it didn't bother me at first, but then I noticed it affected my back 3-turns some. If I hadn't been working on those I probably would've just left it that way.

Usually when people say this or that "ruins" your blades, they mean that it ruins the sharpening, meaning that you'll need a new sharpening. I advise against walking around without the guards in the future though, but I don't think you damaged your blades just from this.

Even if your store closes, if you really need something you can always order it online.

And - you ARE a real skater! You even have your own skates, why wouldn't you be a real skater? And you're trying spirals! You're taking falls! You ARE a real skater sweetie, trust me.

Now for that spiral. Congratulations on your first bellyflop! It's one of the worst falls you can take in figure skating, so if you can take this, you can take anything skating throws at you!
When you're skating, and you are lifting your leg - focus on pulling your chin up so you're looking forward, not at the ice, and on pulling the toes of the foot you're standing on upwards, like I showed you in the video, remember?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykLiaMI70MQ

Ok people....as promoused, (sorry,I know that's not right) here is my next Pubic Skate report.

I got to the Rink with my Staff about 12:41pm. I went in and showed my passes and went right in the Blue Rink for Public Skate. The Zomboni was just smoothing out the ice from the last Hockey Game. I got my skates on and wend right on the ice. We had about (i tried to count LOL) from what I could gather...over 50 skaters on the ice!!!!! A good turn-out!!!!! I must admit that I did fall down. But only from getting off balance when another young skater who asked me if I wanted help pulled me along. (LOL,I guess I'm not used to balancing while being pulled. Gee.....you'ld think that would be the EASIEST thing to do. LOL). As well as for the first time getting knocked over by a skater skating right torwards me from behind. Fortenately (sorry,I know that's not right) the girl was kind and said she was sorry to me. (LOL,yes my but felt a little hurt. But I'm a trooper).The rest of the time I only had little falls from my skates not being upright,etc. But other then that a good amount of time I stayed up. I also saw another skater carrying a baby while skating and told his wife that "you must have to have really good conferdence to do that. As what if someone knocked into you". I can't remember exactly what she said. But I believe she said he had skating a long time. They also were holding a raffle for a Hockey Team to go on a trip (didn't buy a ticket). They played the Chicken Dance,and I even tried my hand at hooking to some skaters who were lined up. LOL,but got off balance. I also practiced some more of gliding into the boards,and I THINK I know what to do. But could someone out there please explain to me in steps exactly what you do to DO that? So at least I can know if I am TRYING it right? Thanks. Also when I got off the ice I went to buy some lunch. A small Cheeseburger,fries,and soda (root beer) for $5.00. How COOL is that!!!! I also made friends with the Food Service Girl. Her name is Crystal (I'm not sure how she spells it). After that I came home. BTW. just to report,I didn't notice anything with the abandent Pro Shop today. I'm not sure when I'm going back. If not next week. Then sometime next month. BTW. LOL. Just to know is the leather skates are made of strong leather? It can't tear easly..right? Just would like to know for the future. Thanks. BTW. I dry my skates with Dish rags (that I'm using as Soakers) at the Rink. Blades,leather,tough,and inside too when I get off the ice. Leave my protectors off my blades in the bag on the way home. Then take a towel and repete the process at home and dry all over my skates again with that. Am I doing it right? Thanks.

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FSWer

Congratulations FSWer!! It sounds like you're doing great and having a lot of fun too. I would have a hard time standing up on the ice if a child were pulling me along and trying to help me too, that's for sure.

It sounds like you are taking very good care of your skates. I think the leather on them will be fine.

I look forward to your next report!

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Revised Official 2010 Goals checklist
Skate __
New boots __
(lowering the bar for 2010 as I haven't skated in a year)

The trick with being pulled forward on skates - I've used it to teach my ex-boyfriend balance - is to bend your knees deeply and kind of pretend you're sitting down on a chair - but continue to look forward, not at the ice. When you look down at the ice, your balance changes - you tip forward, towards those ever-treacherous toepicks. If you look forward, it's like you've got a little line from the top of your head to the ceiling that keeps you up.
So try that next time - knees bent, chin up, eyes forward. Goes for general skating too!

In my experience, it's pointless to adress parents who are doing stupid things even when you're out there doing biellmanns and sit spins. In fact, even when their kids get injured, they tend to find a way to blame with anybody other than themselves. Spare yourself the trouble...

Yes, skates are made from very strong leather, actually, they're made from several layers of very thick leather - or, some figure skates are made from fake leather (I think most new skates in beginners models are - it's my understanding even risport etoile is fake leather? let alone graf davos and such) but that fake leather too is very strong. There's plenty of skates out there that are 10, 20 even 30 years old.

So that's why we say, if your up high....don't look down, right?

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FSWer

Wow FSWer - sounds like you are becoming a true skater at your rink now. Keep up the great work and don't fall too hard!!

Ok fellow skaters!!! I pracually wore myself out from THIS Skate. I can hardly keep my eyes open. But here is my report from todays Public Skate. I feel asleep from about a little after 4 to about 8:30 pm. I got to the Rink at about 10 of 1. Had my Skate Passes marked,and went in to put on my skates. It turned out that they were late anyway with Public Skate. Or the Zomboni as I saw ccome out was late smoothing out the ice. I was the only one in there when I went in. But it filled up fast. Also a nice lady showed me how to glide into the Boards. She said all I do is just skkate,put my feet apart,and then in. I praticed it for a while,and then just had fun. There was also a Skating Birthday Party in the Rink as well. I then got off the ice and went to the Food Court and had a cheeseburger and 2 Root beers. The guy charged me $3.00 for BOTH the soda and Burger. He gave me a deal. Treated me just like a skater!!! Next report next month. Whenever I go again. They have Hockey booked for the rest of this month.

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FSWer

Ok people!!! Time for my report. I went Skating again today, and got to the Rink at 1:00. I got on the ice and skated till about 2. As my staff had to get me back quickly. I tried a little skating and dancing to the music, and somebody even pointed out to me that I had gone on the ice with 1 skinny gaurd (the rubber covering I was using when I put my skates away) on. LOL. I also lost 1 of them. So I now have 1 skinny gaurd on 1 skate blade and on the other (the blade without one) I put a reg. skate gaurd on. LOL.Has anyone else ever had this happen to them? Do you nessicarly have to have them.The skinny gaurds btw. As I'd like to know if your supposed to do that. Use reg. skate gaurds that way. Or am I damaging my blade or skate? They are rubber, and actually Hockey gaurds a little bit longger btw.Am I doing right by leaving them on my blades while my skates are stored for when I skate again? BTW. I noticed a little brown or rust (I'm not sure really what it is) near the toepick of the skate I use to keep pushing off and rubbing the ice to keep going,etc. with. Is that natual for that to happen to ANY skater? Or is it from not skating right? Can you also replace skinny gaurds if needed? Or what have you skaters done for when this has happened to you? If it has? Thanks.

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FSWer

Dana, DO NOT store your skates with the rubber guards on them. That's what's making the blades rust.

Use the rubber guards ONLY when you're walking to and from the ice. That protects your blades from getting nicks and scratches from the grit on the floors. Guards also protect the floors from getting sliced up by your blades. But they're not meant to stay on your blades when you're not skating.

Dana, you can throw the other "skinny guard" away. You don't need them. Those are part of the packaging that protect the blades when they are new. Like blue111moon said, you should use your regular guards when you are walking around in your skates off the ice. Do not use the guards when you store your skates between sessions. That's when you should dry them off with a rag or towel and put on the soakers if you have them. Store the skates with the soakers on. If you don't have soakers, don't put anything on the blades when you store them. You could wrap another dry towel around them if you want to protect them a little more. Don't use the damp towel you used to dry your blades.

So,I should just be wrapping another towel around the BLADE IT'SELF with my skates in the bag each time I skate? Not around my skates correct? BTW. should I be leaving my blades uncovered coming home frome the Rink? Also are there ways you yourself as a Skater can remove rust already there? Thanks.

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FSWer