Kemptville Skating Club

Fitting Skates

Make sure you only wear one pair of socks or tights.  Wear the same pair while skating.  Tie the laces loosely over the toe and snugly around the ankle for support.  When fitting skates slide foot forward so the toes touch the front but lay flat and are not crunched.  Stand with weight equally distributed over both feet; bend knees - the space at the back of the heel should be no more than a pencil width or finger.  Tie laces up and let the skater walk around in the skates; they should feel comfortable without being loose or creased in the boot.

Care of your Skates

Always wear protective guards when not on the ice.  Salt and dirt reduces the life of the blade.  Dry blade and boot completely after use.  Always remove guards before storing skates for any length of time.Skates should be professionally sharpened on a regular basis depending on the frequency of use and level of skater.  Check with your Coach for advice.

What to Wear

Clothing worn while skating is very important.  Your choice of clothes should provide warmth, allow for movement and provide protection when falling.  Layered clothing is best - allowing you to remove items as you get too warm.  Warm gloves or mittens are recommended.  Long scarves are not permitted.  For PreCanskaters and Canskaters, a CSA approved helmet is a must.  Skate Canada recommends a hockey helmet.   Splash pants instead of snowpants are recommended as this allows better movement.

When Can I Take off My Helmet?

The simple answer for most parents is 'when I say so' but the reality is not so simple. In a recent handout from Skate Canada, it recommends the use of helmets for beginners of all ages.  A beginner is classified as anyone who lacks good control/balance when skating forward or backward and has difficulty stopping, as well as manoeuvring around obstacles on the ice.

The very first issue addressed is the quality of and use of a CSA approved hockey helmet.  A bicycle helmet does not give full coverage around the entire head, and other helmets may lack protection for the lower portion of the head that has a greater tendency to be injured.   

Although face protectors are not essential, chin guards are highly recommended for CanSkate.   

Stickers can actually compromise the surface of the helmet.  Some glues are approved, others are not.  Stickers are probably best handed to the skater as they leave the ice.   

If you are uncertain, you should talk to your child's CanSkate coach.  They will recommend the best time to do away with a helmet and this may give your skater a goal to achieve.