Sylvia
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 851
Posted: 05-20-2008, 03:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FSWer
Hello fokes!!!! Sorry I'm a little late with this update. But I went down to the Rink yesterday,and it was closed.
It's always a good idea to call the rink ahead of time to check that the public skate session will be held. The Newington Arena's phone number is: 860-665-7825.
FSWer, I saw this posted at
http://www.neskatingacademy.com/ and thought you might be interested:
Quote:
New England Skating Academy (NESA) Invites Everyone to Join Us at Newington Arena for SUMMER SAMPLE DAYS!
Saturday, June 7th and June 14th from 10:00AM - 4:00PM
...
Free Public Skating for Family Members on Our Other Rink
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-01-2008, 01:59 PM
Say,I have a few questions as a Learn to Skate Skater. 1 = The last time I went to the Rink I almost got run ove by a backward skater. However I was smart enough to hold my hand out to stop the skater. Does anyone know if that is the CORRECT thing to do or A thing to do to keep yourself from getting run over? If it's A thing to do...could someone please tell me what you SHOULD do?
2 = I read that when your done skating your surposed to dry your blades with a towel so they don't rust. Does anyone know if your surposed to do that as a Learn to Skate Skater who is just skating for fun? Also does how often you go to the Rink or if you keep gaurds on have anything to do with what you should do? As I read you should dry gaurds too. Is that for only if you compete? Or should you do it to make your skates last? Also I haven't been drying...is it too late to keep anything from rusting? Thanks.
Sessy
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2856
Posted: 06-01-2008, 02:17 PM
Blades are always of iron, no matter what grade skates you have. So the proper procedure is always one of these 2:
1. dry them with a towel, put blade guards on, walk in blade guards, remove your skates, take the blade guards off at home and your skates out of your bag to dry (or simply open the bag wide, but remove the guards!)
or, if you have soakers
2. walk in blade guards, take skates off, dry skates with a towerl and put soakers on the blades, put blades in bag, at home open the bag or take the skates out of the bag but leave the soakers
You could make soakers yourself from an old towel, btw:
http://www.geocities.com/sessy_liz/sewing/ (the instruction is in 2 languages)
As far as the backward skater is concerned, that's difficult to answer. Some skaters are skating their programme or setting up a lutz or doing a backwards (biellmann) spiral; if they are, get out of their way!
Other skaters are in fact very advanced skaters, and they see what's behind them, they've seen you skate and they have more than enough control over their skating to pass you by at about a yard's distance. This might seem close, but to them, it's not. Look at famous skaters on tv, how close they come to the boardings sometimes! You should be able to see which skaters are the very advanced ones. With those skaters, it's best to just continue going where you were going, at the speed you were going. Don't suddenly stop or start going in the opposite direction: they have planned a route around you, but that route is based on you continuing to go where you were going. If you suddenly stop or go in a totally different direction, they might collide into you. Unless you suspect this advanced skater might not have seen you, then shout and try to stay out of their way.
Yet other skaters are just learning to go backwards and they can't focus on the skating and on looking around at the same time. These skaters might not even have seen you, and they're not going fast at all. With those skaters, it can be okay to extend an arm in front of you, so they'll feel your hand in their back and stop. But this only works with skaters which are going VERY slowly! Skaters going a little faster, try shouting STOP or BEHIND YOU or something.
If a skater is going to pass you even by a half yard away, let them. Try to step as far away from their direction as possible. A near-miss is a miss, after all.
Overall, don't try to stop skaters unless there's absolutely no way you can't get away, and then, shout STOP first too. Believe me, there's absolutely nothing worse than suddenly and unexpectadly getting grabbed/pushed as a skater. Besides, with a collision, it's always better to spread the impact force over as large an area as possible, preferably your (whole) side.
If does come to a collision, do everything to protect yourself, but don't try to pull other skaters under you to cushion your fall, and don't try to keep other skaters from falling! You should be cushioning your fall with your hands, and protecting your head (if you're falling on your back, press your chin on your chest so you don't smack your head into the ice on impact).
Also, expect to collide with other skaters at some point. Collisions are like falls, they're part of figure skating especially if you're on crowded ice - although they're a lot less frequent. After a while, it's not so scary anymore. The majority of collisions don't make for very nasty falls anyway.
Also, the more you fall (in skating), the less it hurts. This doesn't go for falls on joints and bones directly (on your knees, elbows, shoulders, spine etc) but as far as all the soft flesh goes, it's true. The first few falls are always rather scary, and painfull, but after a while you just bounce back up.
BTW, how's your off-ice spiral practice going?
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-01-2008, 09:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sessy
Blades are always of iron, no matter what grade skates you have. So the proper procedure is always one of these 2:
1. dry them with a towel, put blade guards on, walk in blade guards, remove your skates, take the blade guards off at home and your skates out of your bag to dry (or simply open the bag wide, but remove the guards!)
or, if you have soakers
2. walk in blade guards, take skates off, dry skates with a towerl and put soakers on the blades, put blades in bag, at home open the bag or take the skates out of the bag but leave the soakers
You could make soakers yourself from an old towel, btw:
http://www.geocities.com/sessy_liz/sewing/ (the instruction is in 2 languages)
As far as the backward skater is concerned, that's difficult to answer. Some skaters are skating their programme or setting up a lutz or doing a backwards (biellmann) spiral; if they are, get out of their way!
Other skaters are in fact very advanced skaters, and they see what's behind them, they've seen you skate and they have more than enough control over their skating to pass you by at about a yard's distance. This might seem close, but to them, it's not. Look at famous skaters on tv, how close they come to the boardings sometimes! You should be able to see which skaters are the very advanced ones. With those skaters, it's best to just continue going where you were going, at the speed you were going. Don't suddenly stop or start going in the opposite direction: they have planned a route around you, but that route is based on you continuing to go where you were going. If you suddenly stop or go in a totally different direction, they might collide into you. Unless you suspect this advanced skater might not have seen you, then shout and try to stay out of their way.
Yet other skaters are just learning to go backwards and they can't focus on the skating and on looking around at the same time. These skaters might not even have seen you, and they're not going fast at all. With those skaters, it can be okay to extend an arm in front of you, so they'll feel your hand in their back and stop. But this only works with skaters which are going VERY slowly! Skaters going a little faster, try shouting STOP or BEHIND YOU or something.
If a skater is going to pass you even by a half yard away, let them. Try to step as far away from their direction as possible. A near-miss is a miss, after all.
Overall, don't try to stop skaters unless there's absolutely no way you can't get away, and then, shout STOP first too. Believe me, there's absolutely nothing worse than suddenly and unexpectadly getting grabbed/pushed as a skater. Besides, with a collision, it's always better to spread the impact force over as large an area as possible, preferably your (whole) side.
If does come to a collision, do everything to protect yourself, but don't try to pull other skaters under you to cushion your fall, and don't try to keep other skaters from falling! You should be cushioning your fall with your hands, and protecting your head (if you're falling on your back, press your chin on your chest so you don't smack your head into the ice on impact).
Also, expect to collide with other skaters at some point. Collisions are like falls, they're part of figure skating especially if you're on crowded ice - although they're a lot less frequent. After a while, it's not so scary anymore. The majority of collisions don't make for very nasty falls anyway.
Also, the more you fall (in skating), the less it hurts. This doesn't go for falls on joints and bones directly (on your knees, elbows, shoulders, spine etc) but as far as all the soft flesh goes, it's true. The first few falls are always rather scary, and painfull, but after a while you just bounce back up.
BTW, how's your off-ice spiral practice going?
In my case with how I deal with my skates,which of the 2 should I do? For me I keep my gaurds on my skates in my bag,and take the gaurds off when I get to the bench at the Rink. I take my shoes off 1 at a time,take a gaurd off my skate,put it in my bag,and then put my skate on. Or I might just put 1 skate on at a time. Them remove the gaurd before putting the next skate on. Any advice on that from the best On Ice Skaters I've ever known? LOL. BTW. I must say I forgot to try a Spiral on the floor. Thanks.
Sessy
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2856
Posted: 06-02-2008, 02:33 AM
No, I mean after you come from the ice, that's what's important because that's when your blades are wet. Water makes iron rust.
What it basically comes down to is, you shouldn't be keeping your blade guards on at home. When you come home, remove the blade guards and wipe your blades with a towel a second time (the first time after you've taken your skates off at the rink), and you should be fine either way. Leave the blade guards off your skates until the next time you go skating and are packing your bag for this.
You really should practice the spiral. Maybe you can do it with somebody else! It's really fun. In Russian, the spiral is called the "lastochka", which is a bird. This is because it's almost like flying!
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-02-2008, 07:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sessy
No, I mean after you come from the ice, that's what's important because that's when your blades are wet. Water makes iron rust.
What it basically comes down to is, you shouldn't be keeping your blade guards on at home. When you come home, remove the blade guards and wipe your blades with a towel a second time (the first time after you've taken your skates off at the rink), and you should be fine either way. Leave the blade guards off your skates until the next time you go skating and are packing your bag for this.
You really should practice the spiral. Maybe you can do it with somebody else! It's really fun. In Russian, the spiral is called the "lastochka", which is a bird. This is because it's almost like flying!
Ok,please help me understand why I should leave gaurds off in the bag? Also should I do that even if I'm carring them into the Rink and never walk around the lobby with them? BTW. I have 2 set's of gaurds. The ssmall skinny ones that came with them (which I have on my skates) and metal or iron ones. Whichever there made of.
Skittl1321
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2778
Posted: 06-02-2008, 08:10 AM
FSWer- I've never heard of metal/iron blade guards. Are you sure that's the right material?
There are usually 2 types of guards: hard guards and soft guards (or soakers).
Soakers are terry cloth (usually) and look like this:
http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/sit...0FAF9CFC75929F they keep the moisture away from your blades which prevents rust. You should keep your skates in soakers anytime they aren't on your feet. Even though they are terry cloth, you still need to wipe your blade off before putting these on.
Hard guards look like this:
http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/sit...AF3AA50A6CD1D4 they come in 2 piece or 1 piece kinds. These protect your blades while you are wearing them off the ice, so that you don't step on anything. If you are wearing your skates, but not on the ice skating, that is when you would use this type of guard. (I don't use them at all. I take my chances and walk carefully not to step on pennies or hair pins.) You should not store your skates in these when you aren't wearing them because they keep the moisture next to your blades, which can cause rust.
Isk8NYC
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 9896
Posted: 06-02-2008, 08:38 AM
FSWer - All skates (even LTS) need to be dried - blades, bottoms, and boots!
SKATE RAGS:
. Bring a clean, dry rag with you to thoroughly dry your skates after use.
. Some people use automobile chamois cloth, which you can get at auto parts stores or supermarkets.
SOAKER GUARDS:
. As Skittl said, there are terrycloth/fabric guards called "soakers" that we use to protect our blades inside the bag.
. If you don't have the "soaker" guards Skittl mentioned, just put an old DRY towel on the bottom of your skate bag and put your skates inside.
. Know how a cold can of soda gets wet when it's in the warm air? The same thing happens to your blades when you leave the rink. Using soakers or a dry towel will help soak up the moisture from condensation.
HARD GUARDS:
. The "hard" guards are for walking around. They keep your blades from getting dull or damaged. You won't need to sharpen as often.
. Put the hard guards on when you put on your skates.
. Remember to take them off BEFORE you get on the ice.
. Put them on again when you leave the ice.
. DO NOT leave them on your skates at other times - they can make your blades rust because they press against the wet blade.
SKINNY GUARDS:
. I think your "skinny guards" are really the protectant sleeves used by the skate maker.
. If you won't be on the ice for a while - say for the summer - use these guards before you put the skates away. Make sure the skates/blades are clean and dry!
. These sleeves have oil inside the groove that really protects against rust.
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-02-2008, 08:45 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skittl1321
FSWer- I've never heard of metal/iron blade guards. Are you sure that's the right material?
There are usually 2 types of guards: hard guards and soft guards (or soakers).
Soakers are terry cloth (usually) and look like this:
http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/sit...0FAF9CFC75929F they keep the moisture away from your blades which prevents rust. You should keep your skates in soakers anytime they aren't on your feet. Even though they are terry cloth, you still need to wipe your blade off before putting these on.
Hard guards look like this:
http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/sit...AF3AA50A6CD1D4 they come in 2 piece or 1 piece kinds. These protect your blades while you are wearing them off the ice, so that you don't step on anything. If you are wearing your skates, but not on the ice skating, that is when you would use this type of guard. (I don't use them at all. I take my chances and walk carefully not to step on pennies or hair pins.) You should not store your skates in these when you aren't wearing them because they keep the moisture next to your blades, which can cause rust.
I'm not sure about how Soakers go on. Though I don't have them. I do have dish towels and wash clothes though. As for gaurds the only other kind that was shown that I own are the Hockey Gaurds. They are the ajustible Professional Hockey Bladegaurds made by A&R in China. It says the following on the package. A&R Hockey Bladegaurds are carefully crafted featuring drain holes that allow exceessive moisture to vent. One size fits all.
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-02-2008, 08:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isk8NYC
FSWer - All skates (even LTS) need to be dried - blades, bottoms, and boots!
SKATE RAGS:
. Bring a clean, dry rag with you to thoroughly dry your skates after use.
. Some people use automobile chamois cloth, which you can get at auto parts stores or supermarkets.
SOAKER GUARDS:
. As Skittl said, there are terrycloth/fabric guards called "soakers" that we use to protect our blades inside the bag.
. If you don't have the "soaker" guards Skittl mentioned, just put an old DRY towel on the bottom of your skate bag and put your skates inside.
. Know how a cold can of soda gets wet when it's in the warm air? The same thing happens to your blades when you leave the rink. Using soakers or a dry towel will help soak up the moisture from condensation.
HARD GUARDS:
. The "hard" guards are for walking around. They keep your blades from getting dull or damaged. You won't need to sharpen as often.
. Put the hard guards on when you put on your skates.
. Remember to take them off BEFORE you get on the ice.
. Put them on again when you leave the ice.
. DO NOT leave them on your skates at other times - they can make your blades rust because they press against the wet blade.
SKINNY GUARDS:
. I think your "skinny guards" are really the protectant sleeves used by the skate maker.
. If you won't be on the ice for a while - say for the summer - use these guards before you put the skates away. Make sure the skates/blades are clean and dry!
. These sleeves have oil inside the groove that really protects against rust.
So those would basicly be the small gaurds for just covering the blades to protect skate blades while skates are in storage, like I have them, right?
Clarice
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1065
Posted: 06-02-2008, 09:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FSWer
I'm not sure about how Soakers go on. Though I don't have them. I do have dish towels and wash clothes though. As for gaurds the only other kind that was shown that I own are the Hockey Gaurds. They are the ajustible Professional Hockey Bladegaurds made by A&R in China. It says the following on the package. A&R Hockey Bladegaurds are carefully crafted featuring drain holes that allow exceessive moisture to vent. One size fits all.
Soakers have elastic around the opening, so they stretch. You just stick one end of the blade in, then stretch the soaker and stick it around the other end of the blade. It's pretty easy. But if you don't have them, it's okay. A dish towel or wash cloth will work for wiping the blades off. Just keep your blades dry when you're not skating and you'll be fine.
The hockey guards you have are the hard guards people have been talking about. Use them for walking in your skates when you're not on the ice. Don't leave them on your blades in the bag.
And to answer your other post, yes, I think the "skinny guards" you have are what Isk8NYC said, the protective sleeves the manufacturer puts on the blades. You are right - you could use them to protect the blades when they are in storage for a long time.
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-02-2008, 08:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clarice
Soakers have elastic around the opening, so they stretch. You just stick one end of the blade in, then stretch the soaker and stick it around the other end of the blade. It's pretty easy. But if you don't have them, it's okay. A dish towel or wash cloth will work for wiping the blades off. Just keep your blades dry when you're not skating and you'll be fine.
The hockey guards you have are the hard guards people have been talking about. Use them for walking in your skates when you're not on the ice. Don't leave them on your blades in the bag.
And to answer your other post, yes, I think the "skinny guards" you have are what Isk8NYC said, the protective sleeves the manufacturer puts on the blades. You are right - you could use them to protect the blades when they are in storage for a long time.
Ok,thanks. BTW. what happens if Hockey gaurds stay on in a bag? Just wondering.
Clarice
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1065
Posted: 06-02-2008, 08:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FSWer
Ok,thanks. BTW. what happens if Hockey gaurds stay on in a bag? Just wondering.
Same thing as any other hard guards - moisture can be trapped against the blades, which will then be more likely to rust. If you do happen to get a little rust on your blades, don't panic - just take them to be sharpened. You don't want to sharpen your blades more than necessary, though, because then they won't last as long. That's why you want to try to prevent rust.
Sessy
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2856
Posted: 06-03-2008, 05:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FSWer
Ok,please help me understand why I should leave gaurds off in the bag?
When your blades are still a little moist, and they are that even after drying them with a towel it seems, putting on blade guards prevents them from drying properly and could cause your blades to rust if you leave your skates lying around for a week or two. When I started skating, I was first drying my skates, then putting on the blade guards and then not taking them off at home, because I forgot to do that usually. After 3-4 months, I started noticing little specs of rust. On the bottom of the blades, the rust would skate off (but the blades would get dull and need a new sharpening), but on the sides, the specs stayed on the blade. It was very ugly.
I had to get new blades, if I didn't, I suspect the rust would've ruined the blades eventually on a more structural level.
I've been using soakers with my new blades, and they've been fine so far even though I rarely even dry them anymore before putting on the soakers. I just wipe off the snow with my gloves.
When both your blades and blade guards are absolutely dry, you can put them on. For example, I haven't skated since march now and my skates are with blade guards on in the closet right now.
But that's when they're really dry, not just after drying with a towel.
BTW a good way to check if your blades are still sharp is to hold them with the blade upwards, press the base of your nail against the side of the blade with the rest of the nail just a sliiight tad over your blade, and slowly pull your nail downwards. The blade should shafe off a little powder off your nail. It's a little hard to explain how to do this exactly though.
A blade sharpener will be able to tell you if your blades are still sharp though. My sharpener often tells me "You sure you want them sharpened already? They still seem good enough for a few more weeks!" - he's quite honest about it when your blades don't *really* need a sharpening. I just like my blades razor sharp though, but when I first started skating, I kinda liked them blunt. Made it easier to stop, LOL!
FSWer
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2899
Posted: 06-03-2008, 07:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sessy
When your blades are still a little moist, and they are that even after drying them with a towel it seems, putting on blade guards prevents them from drying properly and could cause your blades to rust if you leave your skates lying around for a week or two. When I started skating, I was first drying my skates, then putting on the blade guards and then not taking them off at home, because I forgot to do that usually. After 3-4 months, I started noticing little specs of rust. On the bottom of the blades, the rust would skate off (but the blades would get dull and need a new sharpening), but on the sides, the specs stayed on the blade. It was very ugly.
I had to get new blades, if I didn't, I suspect the rust would've ruined the blades eventually on a more structural level.
I've been using soakers with my new blades, and they've been fine so far even though I rarely even dry them anymore before putting on the soakers. I just wipe off the snow with my gloves.
When both your blades and blade guards are absolutely dry, you can put them on. For example, I haven't skated since march now and my skates are with blade guards on in the closet right now.
But that's when they're really dry, not just after drying with a towel.
BTW a good way to check if your blades are still sharp is to hold them with the blade upwards, press the base of your nail against the side of the blade with the rest of the nail just a sliiight tad over your blade, and slowly pull your nail downwards. The blade should shafe off a little powder off your nail. It's a little hard to explain how to do this exactly though.
A blade sharpener will be able to tell you if your blades are still sharp though. My sharpener often tells me "You sure you want them sharpened already? They still seem good enough for a few more weeks!" - he's quite honest about it when your blades don't *really* need a sharpening. I just like my blades razor sharp though, but when I first started skating, I kinda liked them blunt. Made it easier to stop, LOL!
So,I should take my skates to the Rink in the bag with the protectors or gaurds on. But after I dry both the blades and the protectors with a towel/wash cloth,etc. leave the protectors off until I get home gor full dry,right? BTW. as far as rust goes...is it safe to say that as long as my blades feel sharp on the bottom and I can feel a ridge with my finger that my blades are ok?
Topic: FSWer's Training Reports - fsf, FSWer (Read 34713 times)