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Off-Ice Training for Skaters / Re: Training, medical specialist for bow legged, kyphosis??
« Last post by Query on April 20, 2024, 01:54:13 PM »
I also have forwards spine curvature in figure skates, which have relatively high heels, and a substantial upwards bend.

I tried rental figure skates (with much lower heels, less upwards bend), and hockey skates (no heels or bend) yesterday. They fit so badly (only a few points of contact on the sides, front and back), I couldn't really tell. My favored rink throws away skates that are at all broken down, so they were too stiff to conform to my feet. I could try other rinks...

I couldn't spin at all well, not that I'm very good at it anyway. And the toe picks were so dull, that both forward 3-turns and spins were awkward. But maybe with better toe picks and better fit??

At this point I can do very low bunny hops, waltz jumps and half rotation flip jumps, on both feet. I'm doing these very conservatively, with as little air and arm motion as possible, because I'm still weak. But even at my best, I never managed more than 1/2 rotation jumps on the ice, and my style is terrible.

In the rental skates I was literally afraid to jump. I managed a couple bunny hops off my stronger foot, but otherwise my body just said no. With such poor fit, I don't have enough control to be confident.

So that test was worthless.
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Off-Ice Training for Skaters / Training, medical specialist for bow legged, kyphosis??
« Last post by Query on April 20, 2024, 01:32:10 PM »
My unforced standing pose in athletic cross training shoes with normally elevated heels, but with my feet together, is somewhat bow legged, with 1/8 to 1/16" between my knees, and a somewhat forward curved spine on top.

These symptoms go away in bare feet.

A trainer said to train more outside of legs than inside, more back (gluts, spine, neck) than front of body (though he said to train chest too), to compensate. But he didn't seem very experienced at this. Does this make sense? Should I see a medical specialist and what type? Sports podiatrist? PT? (My health insurance would only pay 1/2.)

Maybe just need to strengthen all my muscles, so foot point wouldn't affect body shape as much? I'm still pretty weak.

Should I move to neutral heels? I tried to find them, but my shoes are orthotic, to slow osteo-arthritis (bone spurs), which limits choices.

I'm tempted to get custom skates with neutral heels too - but that's a big investment that might not work, and I might need different length blades, with a different custom profile. Any thoughts?
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The Pro Shop / Re: ROH on old Coronation Ace for Figures
« Last post by Query on April 17, 2024, 01:34:16 PM »
Of course, to keep the way you interact with your sweet spot, on your old blades, you COULD:
1. Trim the toepick, especially or only the drag pick.
2. Mount the blades further forward on the boots, so you get the sweet spot where you best like it.

But that moves the back of the tail forwards too, more like Dance and Synchro blades. Allowing closer footwork for yourself (and for Dance and Synchro, for others), and make back pivots and tail spins easier.

But Short tails create more drag if the back tail corner digs in. And if you use a full roll-through for speed and power, that's less. I'm not a good jumper, but maybe they destabilize jump landings.

Anyway, these ideas are just food for thought - from someone (me) who is not in any sense an expert skater.
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The Pro Shop / Re: ROH on old Coronation Ace for Figures
« Last post by dlbritton on April 16, 2024, 11:02:36 AM »
Quote from: Query on April 15, 2024, 04:15:37 PM
And you have tried trimming your toe picks (particularly the drag picks)?

When I pick up my new blades (the shop is going to sharpen them when he gets them) I will talk about trimming the toepick at the same time I have a shallower ROH done.

For now I have gotten used to the toepicks on my current blades. Hopefully new blades will be in soon.
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The Pro Shop / Re: ROH on old Coronation Ace for Figures
« Last post by Query on April 15, 2024, 04:15:37 PM »
And you have tried trimming your toe picks (particularly the drag picks)?
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The Pro Shop / Re: ROH on old Coronation Ace for Figures
« Last post by Bill_S on April 15, 2024, 04:04:46 PM »
That was my thought too. Gradually increase the ROH from where you are now. A 1/2" ROH is a noticeable change from 7/16", but it's not a major change.
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The Pro Shop / Re: ROH on old Coronation Ace for Figures
« Last post by tstop4me on April 15, 2024, 03:00:44 PM »
Maybe instead of immediately jumping to a large ROH (say 1" or greater) that a competitive figures skater would use, you should be conservative and increase the ROH incrementally.  E.g., start at 1/2"; if you're comfortable with that, then go to 5/8" when the next sharpening is due; ....
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The Pro Shop / ROH on old Coronation Ace for Figures
« Last post by dlbritton on April 14, 2024, 10:00:03 PM »
My Coronation Ace blades finally passed their useable life for freestyle. The technician said the sweet spot has shifted back due to multiple sharpening altho the profile is still correct. After the last sharpening I tripped over the toe picks a few times because they are closer to the ice. I ordered new Coronation Ace blades, I am still competing at Adult High Beginner so no higher blade really called for.

I was thinking of using my old blades with my old somewhat broken down Riedell Motion boots and having a dedicated Figures boot/blade combo.

What is a good ROH for Figures alone, or possibly Figures and Ice Dance if that is feasible? I currently use a 7/16 ROH for freestyle and have heard a shallower ROH is better for Figures. I will also talk to the tech about grinding down the toe pick some so I don't catch it.

Thanks for any advice
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The Pro Shop / Re: what can we use to test blades that need to be sharpened?
« Last post by R45 on April 07, 2024, 08:53:06 PM »
As mentioned already, the tolerance towards dullness of the edges is a personal preference.
Many skaters are under the impression that edges are not allowed to slip. But controlled sliding is part of skating.
Dull edges have a bit the same effect as a more shallow hollow: you have no choice but to learn how to control your edges more effectively.
I sharpen my skates once a year, mainly to get the nicks out.
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The Pro Shop / Re: what can we use to test blades that need to be sharpened?
« Last post by Query on April 07, 2024, 02:01:19 PM »
FWIIW, many skate techs say once every 40 hours on the ice is typical for figure skaters.

But there is a lot of variation.

Not just by skater, but by the type of ice you skate on. Rough ice, and dirty outdoor ice wear out blade edges a lot faster.

I currently sharpen more often, maybe every 8-15 hours, because I love sharp edges, but I use hand tools (mostly Pro-Filer) that remove a lot less metal than powered machine tools, I think because they reshape the steel somewhat more than remove it - the blades still last me for years, and probably well over 100 sharpenings. But about 30 sharpenings seems roughly right for sharpening using powered machines. Maybe worse if you are still having a bit of trouble centering the blade position on the wheel when sharpening.

Is your daughter old and safety oriented enough to learn to sharpen her own skates? It might encourage her to take good care of her blades. (Or not. :)) I've watched a lot of kids run off the ice onto the rubber mats surrounding the rink, and out to the lobby or bathroom, with no concern for their blades, secure in the knowledge that their parents will get them sharpened and replaced as needed. Of course, some adults aren't much more careful.

I've also seen some who don't dry their blades after use, leave their blades in blade guards between uses, or store their skate in a closed bag, box or trunk. All of those increase corrosion and shorten edge and blade life. Hopefully your tool experience means you have explained to your daughter what she should do to preserve her blades as much as she can.
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