What about on rugs which is what the Lobby of my Rink is. BTW. do you have to bring skates in and get the right size Gaurd when using those? Or are the 1 size fits all? No matter if it's a kids or Adult skate? As the ones (I think if they were them) looked alfully small. Like they wouldn't fit the blade. LOL, BTW. no one has figured out yet at my Rink,that I get all...if not most of my help from friendly skatingforums friends. I invite any of you to come skate with me at a Public Skate.

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FSWer

When you buy them they're in 4 pieces in the bag, so they look really small. You connect 2 pieces together w/ the spring to make one complete blade guard.

About the fit: my skate shop checks your skates & then cuts the guards to make them fit, so yes, you should bring your skates in with you.

Ok. So it may HAVE been them I saw. As there WERE 4 that I thought were just 1 Gaurd each. What would we say there made of,and are the springs good quality btw.? I was also wondering if they last,and if all skates are ment to take them. How do they attach btw.?

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FSWer

They're made of a rubbery kind of plastic, and the springs are quite strong. I've never worn out a pair, although I have changed them from time to time just to get different colors! They can be made to fit your skates - as phoenix said, your skate shop should be able to put them together for you so they fit your blades.

Ok,thanks. Is the plasic it'self a good quality and very strong? Also if indeed the ones I saw were them. They were $10.00. Is the fitting and cutting included in the price? Along with tax?

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FSWer

The plastic is strong and meant to be walked on. The $10 should include the fitting but most adult blades are big enough so the guards don't have to be cut to fit them. Tax is NOT included in the $10 since it has to be paid to the state.

Have the shop check to see if the guards will fit your blades. They are meant for figure skate blades to protect the toe picks and the heel as well as the edges. Hockey or speed skate blades might not work with the two-piece guards.

What about the other way around? Since mine are Figure Skates. Are springGaurds,SpringGaurds for Figure Skate Blades? Would I have to make sure that I don't pick up Hockey SpringGaurds? About how much are they with tax? Maybe a skater there can help me pick them out.

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FSWer

The kind of guard with springs in the middle is for figure skates, not hockey skates. You can't buy the wrong kind accidentally because there only is one kind. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen hockey players using guards. I have no idea what kind they would use.

They do exist, but are the one-piece kind with the plastic loop on the back, rather like those for figure skates, only just slightly different. Don't know whether anybody uses them, though!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Ok,now...when I buy them.Will it say Figure Skate Gaurds right on the package? Or just Skate Gaurds? Also,does anyone know if you can get anything to store them in? Forgive me for asking so many questions. But I've never had or bought them before....so I need help. Those are the ones we see famous skaters using,right? BTW. how do the go on the blade?

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FSWer

Don't worry about what it says on the package. Look at the pictures in the link phoenix sent you. If the pieces in the package look like that, you have the right thing. The link she sent is for a company called Guardog. That's a pretty common brand, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if that's what your skate shop has in stock. If you have questions, just ask the sales person.

You don't need anything special to store them in. You just put them in your skate bag along with your skates.

Putting them on is pretty easy. You just slip one end of the guard over one end of your blade, then stretch the guard (that's what the spring is for) over the other end of your blade. If they're fitted properly, they'll just stay on by themselves. Ask the sales person at your skate shop to put them together for you. You'll need to have your skates with you, because they'll fit the guards to your blades.

If in doubt, ask the person in the shop to help you. And when you have bought them, get your teacher to show you how to put them on. It is fairly self-evident.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Thanks a BUNCH EVERYONE!!!! You've helped me out a lot!!! BTW. if a Rink specailizes more in Hockey like mine does. But does both. Should I still be able to find them in their shop? BTW. how much would I ned to pay for them altogether tax and all? Also,are they easy to put on?

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FSWer

I don't know how to figure tax, so I can't tell you exactly. Where I shop, they cost $9.95 without tax. Any skate shop should have them, or will know how to get them. I think they're easy to put on.

While I was looking up this information, I also saw a picture of hockey guards on the web site, so now I know what they are. I still don't think I've ever seen a hockey player actually using them!

BTW. fellow skaters. My coaches name was Caitlyn Pulling. Does anyone reconize the name? She was a Pairs Skater.

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FSWer

Are you really sure your coach doesn't mind your posting her real name on a public forum?

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

ummmm,I see your point Mrs. Redboots. She may,and may not. I was just wondering if anyone reconizes her name. As she was a Pairs Skater.

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FSWer

Well people!!!! Here I am again...back from the Rink with todays Report for my fellow On-Ice-Skaters. I got to the Rink a little before 4:00. I went in and registered at the Desk with my Skate Passes and had my hand stamped. My staff wanted to stay to watch me skate. So with the time we had before Public Skate (at 4:10) we went into the Skate Shop,and (I just want to make an annoucement today and say that).. FSWer has just gotten his first Pair of real Professional Skate Gaurds...with Springs!!! They were $10.00 even. She was able to put them together. As she had some herself. Good thing too. As it turned out the guy in the shop was no help at all. We also believe tax was included. I then went on the ice until 5:30pm. There was a good crowd of skaters. Over 30 I believe!!!! I practiced Gliding with my foot in front of the other. As well as my Edges. I also tried jumping on 2 feet. But fell. LOL. I also believe that there may have been a nitch in the ice that people couldn't see. In which case my toe-pick kept nitching it and causing me to fall. Either that,or my toe-pick was just nitching the ice. After Public Skate,we went to the Food Court had something to eat (I treated), I got a couple more Skating Magazines for free. Then I came home. Next Report next week. TTFN.

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FSWer

That's cool your staff was able to stay and watch, FSWer! It's fun to show off a little when you know people are watching, isn't it? What color are your new skate guards? Mine are kind of a turquoise blue.

They are white. Oh...btw. the gaurds only go together into whole when there off the blade.

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FSWer

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!!!!..Here is todays On Ice Skater Report!!!! I got to the Rink a little before 4:00. Public Skate begain at 4:10. So I put on my skates and I must also say along with that,that I also put my Skategaurds on all by myself today!!! I feel really proud of myself. I went in and the Zambonnis (there were 2) were just finishing up smoothing the ice. I sat down and took off my Gaurds and waited for them to clear the ice. Other skaters came in little by little,and I must say we wound-up with a good crowd. I think about 30 or more. But I'm not sure. I skated really well today. I tried a jump of of a little bit of speed. But didn't really get as high as I hope to someday. If it is ever possible for someone like me to do so. I also practiced my edges and some of my speed. As well as gliding toe to heal, skating while squauting down,as well as what I believe was a 2-foot Spin. I was just spreading my arms out,and turning around on my Blades flat on the ice. I got myself to turn quicker. But I wasn't sure if I was really SPINNING, VS. just turning around fast. I was kinda thinking maybe what I need to do is lift my heals up to spin right. Can someone tell me if I am correct? Also can anyone please explain how you get your arms to effect your spinning when you bring them into your chest,and why that happens,rather then it just being a replacement of your arms? I've always wondered that. I also feel a couple of times. LOL. One of which DID make my back sour a bit. But HECK!!! I always tell myself...I'm a trooper..and it's ALL PART of being a Skater. LOL. After that I got off the ice a little before 5:30. Then went home. Next Report next week.

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FSWer

Ok my fellow Skaters!!! Here is todays Report. I got to the Rink a little after 4:10,when Public Skate started (yes my staff got lost. As another staff gave the wrong directions and Exit to them). I went in and registered at the Desk with my Skate-Passes,and had my hand stamped. They took me right away,as there was a long line to the Door. I went in to put on my skates (we have been in the Red Rink lately). I also seem to think that Public Skate it'self started late. As everyone going to it was going into the Rink at the same time as me,and nobody was already on-ice. We all got on the ice. My staff stayed. As it would have been time to go anyway,by the time they came back. I myself skated very well today. With a Report of only 2 falls and good find of balance. I practiced my 2- Foot Spin (or at least I BELIEVE I was doing one). As I THINK I've figured out how to do it!! I put the heal of my Left Skate along side my other, almost to the toe,and found myself spinning a little easier and faster, then I would have,had my blades been side to side. So I must have been doing SOMETHING right. If it WASN'T a 2-FOOT Spin. It was indeed A Spin. Can someone please conferm how correct I was? Also,when I went to do it,I felt like I was going to fall off balance along with feeling preasure in my leg. Is that supposed to happen? Or is it just because I'm not used to it yet? I also still have to figure out too, how to START the speed on my Spin. I know you bring your arms in to your body to MAINTAIN speed,and go faster. But how do you find your natual max. speed (up to how how fast you can go to begin with)? We Also had a really great crowd there again today. Over 30-40 Skaters estemate (I hope I spelled that right). There was also a Birthday Party on the far end marked off by cones. So again thank god no one was carrying a BABY on the ice today!!!! Someone who sees me in my store was also there with her GrandDaughter. She was surprised to see me. I also bought a couple of CD's from home to (if I was lucky) put in for music for all Skaters. But never got the chance to. At 5:30 we all got off the ice,I went to the Food-Court to get something to take on the run home. Then went. Next Report next month when I go. As I don't have my Dates yet.

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FSWer

Ok my fellow Skaters!!!!! Here is todays Public Skate Report...and I'm proud to say..like ALL of my Reports,LOL....that it is INDEED another good one. So here it goes...I got to the Rink a little before 4:00PM. As Public Skate Started at 4:10pm. My Staff dropped me off. I went as always to register at the Front Desk with my Skate Passes,and had my hand stamped. I put on my skates,tied them up,and put my Skate Gaurds on. So I would be ready to go into the Rink. (we have been in the Red Rink. As from what I found out from another Skater. They themselves believe the Blue Rink that we used to use is now being used for Hockey,Learn to Skate Programs Lessons,etc.). I had a little time before I went into the Rink to skate. So I went into the Pro-Shop and brought an extra pair of Skate Gaurds to keep in my Skatebag. (LOL,I always love trying to be JUST as prepared and good as an actual competitor). I then went in to the Rink with the other Skaters,and took my Gaurds off and waited a min....as the Zamboni was just finishing up the ice. I went on as soon as the Zamboni left with the other Skaters,and it turned out that we all were sharing the Rink with a Birthday Skating Party. Which I admit worked out very well. Although, I ended up a little in the way of them. As they were scatted like the rest of us. Other then that...it worked out well. LOL. A Skater also ended up skating Backward torwards my back were you can't see them,and they can get you by surprise. I know how to stop a Skater skating Backward in FRONT of you were you CAN see them. I have put my hand out before to stop them. So I do fall. But can anyone please tell me what the proper way is to keep yourself from falling, when in a collission with a Backward Skater heading torwards the BACK of you? Were you CAN'T see them? So you can catch yourself off of being surprised? Has this ever happened to any others here? Speaking of skating Backward. A coach at Public Skate also gave me some tips on HOW to skate Backward. He told me about turning your toe in. Which I must admit,I STILL don't understand what he had ment it does. He also pointed out to me that it not only is HARD to do (skate Backward), but it can INDEED make you fall,if you aren't careful. So I practiced it for a few mins. I am going to try again next time I go. I also practiced my 2-Foot Spinning,and my Edges. I also practiced getting up my speed and Gliding with my legs open mid-ice. When you want to skate far on a single Glide. I have not been trying my Spiral. As I can't figure out how to lift my leg mid-ice,and keep balance at the same time. As well as keep from being nervous to fall. LOL. I hope I CAN do it someday though. At 5:25 I got off the ice and went home. The Food Court was closed. So I stopped at Burger King. To take something home. When I got home. I laid my skates out untied to dry natually (I read in "Figure Skating for Dummies" by Kristi Yumaguchi, that she herself says to until your laces all the way down,and let the dry natually. So the leather won't fall apart or crack). I don't know though if all the way down mean taking the laces out of the bottom holes too. Or just down to the last hook. Like I did. I did that while I ate. The seemed dry after. So I wrapped them up in the towels I was drying the on (the pre-dried ones that aren't damp),and just put the back in my Skatebag,and organized it. Next Repot whenever I go again. As I don't have my next date to go. TTFN. my fellow On-Ice-Skaters!!!!! LOL. I love you all.

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FSWer

Hi, FSWer! Glad you had a good time skating!
If somebody's skating backward into your back, there's no way you can know that they're coming. It's the job of the skater who is skating backwards to look over their shoulder to make sure they don't bump into people. If they're not watching and bump into you, it's their fault. If you're going to be practicing your backward skating, be sure to watch out for people behind you so you don't run into them. Be very careful!
I have Kristi Yamaguchi's book, too! She has some good advice in there. You don't need to take the laces all the way out of the holes to let your boots dry out naturally. You take them off the hooks like you did, and then just have them loosened in the holes. You had to loosen the laces anyway to get your foot out - that's loose enough. You can kind of pull the tongue out a little bit so air can get inside the boot to dry it.
Looking forward to your next report!

So basicly all I need to do is just untie my laces,and then undo the laces from the HOOKS down to the last one,right? They are already automaticly loose enough near the tough of my boot right? BTW. am I right at saying to use the towels I will wrap them up in to store them in to put them on to dry? Also am I right to be wriping them dry first too?

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FSWer