I found out that the long delay was due to the fitter, not Riedell. Riedell keeps accurate records.
The fitter told me he would send my tracings to Riedell the next morning. I found out he sent them in 2.5 weeks later. Then, the fitter held up the UPS delivery for 1 week.
So, Riedell did in fact keep their promise of delivering custom skates in 4 weeks.
Also, the arches were a little too high for me. As Riedell suggested, I sent them directly to Riedell without involving the fitter. Riedell fixed the arches and got them shipped back to me the next day after receiving them.
John :)
How are the arches fitting now?
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I will get them on Tuesday.
John :)
Glad to hear it wasn't Riedell and that you'll have them soon. Since you're in my area, now I kind of want to know where the fitter was from, so I can potentially avoid!
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Well... If the toes are too tight on the sides, I'm not sure I would let off Riedell completely.
Though even that could be a misfit by the fitter. In particular, if the fitter had you use less body weight on the foot than Riedell specifies, when you did a foam impress or tracing, the foot wouldn't be as spread out as Riedell assumes. Likewise, if your body weight wasn't properly centered on the foot, your foot would be tilted, which could change the shape too. That might also be somewhat consistent with a high arch if you had a foam impression fit - but I'm not sure if that could make the arch so high that it hurts, as you complained.
Given the very large number of problems you've had, I would have traveled to Riedell for the fix even if it cost up to $200 or so for the flights or drive. They could have told you whether the fit was so bad fixing the boots wasn't even worth doing. I believe custom boots should be reasonably comfortable without a lot of work - that's a good deal of what you are paying for.
Some of the boot makers - I'm not sure of Riedell - can advise you before you buy of the local boot dealers that have the fewest problems with fit. If you can't afford to travel to the boot maker for the fit itself, that might have been a decent option. Oh well - live and learn.
Hope you at least got decent heat molds.
If only boots were as cheap as shoes at discount shoe stores. Then we would all just toss out the poor fits, and start over.
There is another issue with the way a fitter fits boots.
Figure skating boots are high heel shoes. So there is more weight on the toes than on the heels. (What an awful idea! I hate the whole idea of high heel shoes. Though some aspects of figure skating, as the sport has evolved, might be hard to do in level feet. My custom boot heels were originally too high, and they hurt - the fitter finally sent them back to Klingbeil to fix that, but didn't tell me any of the other problems could be fixed...)
Being on high heels has to change the shape of the foot at the toes and the various arches of each foot. (For one thing, there is a bit of a vertical bend at the balls of my feet - not sure if that applies to everyone's boots. Also, the toes should spread out more.)
The boot maker himself (/herself?) can maybe adapt for that. But a relatively untrained store fitter might not try, or know how.
Anyway, I hope things go well for you.
Query, the reason my toes were cramped was because the fitter didn't heat mold my boots and my heal was not seated ompletely back into the back of the boot. This is normal.
John
Did you heat mold them yourself?
Does everything fit right now, and are they reasonably comfortable?
I got the boots back today. Riedell lowered the arches as much as possible. The left arch is ok. But, the right arch is too high for my foot. I guess skating boots are too high for me in general at least in the right arch, which I know is low. I'm out $800 and I won't be able to skate.
John
:(
That's terrible!
I hope you immediately call Riedell again. They may still try to please you in some manner - making new boots or refunding the price.
If heat molding gave you enough space over your feet to work with (or another heat mold could), you could also add tape under an insole to raise the parts of your right foot that aren't in the arch.
I assume you have carefully analyzed what you feel, and that the problem really is too high an arch. You could also experience pain if the boot effectively tilts your foot (I had that problem, because the fitter had me do foam impressions with both feet at the same time, and one of my legs is a little longer than the other), so that you are constantly using muscles on one side of your foot (and on up the muscle chain) to try to compensate for the weight imbalance - which eventually makes your muscles sore. That can be fixed by moving the mount left or right - or by adding tape or adhesive foam under one side of the insole. Likewise their might be pain from too big a bend in the foot (e.g., at the ball), or from a foot that is tilted too far forward or back, that can be compensated the same way.
Quote from: johnallocca on May 05, 2014, 02:39:42 PM
I guess skating boots are too high for me in general at least in the right arch, which I know is low.
Phil from Harlick (who used to be their master boot maker, I think, but more recently toured various competitions fitting people for Harlick boots) once told me he fitted a ballerina with boots that had a completely flat foot bed, at her request. Custom boots CAN be made to match unusual feet, if you go to the right people.
It really isn't fair to a skate boot maker to try to make appropriate custom boots working through fitters of lessor competence, when a few thousandths of an inch can often make the difference between comfort and great pain.
OTOH, I still sometimes blame boot makers a little for dealing with unqualified dealers. I think dealers should be vetted and tested, though maybe that isn't economically viable.
Quote from: Query on May 05, 2014, 09:07:27 PM
That's terrible!
I hope you immediately call Riedell again. They may still try to please you in some manner - making new boots or refunding the price.
If heat molding gave you enough space over your feet to work with (or another heat mold could), you could also add tape under an insole to raise the parts of your right foot that aren't in the arch.
I was thinking the same thing. Can you build up the rest of the footbed so that the arch isn't so high?
I know this is really frustrating.
My experience with high arches in boots was that I just skated with them. There was pain for a few weeks, but either I got used to them, or they broke in, but they fit fine now.
I also experimented with changing how I tied my skates to take the pressure off my arches and tried different pads under my heels.
Yesterday, I brought my skating boots to a friend who is a podiatrist. He said the problem is not so much the arch as it is the high heel. Arthritis has changed my foot over the past 14 years, particularly, the right one whereby my foot will not bend in an unnatural position for high heels. I can only wear regular heel shoes/boots. He said if ignore the pain and skate with these boots, I will damage my foot and have trouble walking.
The fitter said the doctor doesn't know what he is talking about. I should ignore the pain and skate. The pain will go away.
I can skate with inline skates, which is how I started, if I can find a place to skate. Most parks on LI don't allow skating.
John
Is it possible to lower the heel on your boots?
If the heel was lowered, one would be tilting backwards because the blades are made for a high heel.
John
The heel height is variable on boots and depends on the manufacturer. I've got two pairs of boots (Graf and Jacksons) and the Graf have a lower heel height to the Jacksons.
Ok neither pair of boots is completely flat, but you might be able to come up with a compromise heel height which Reidell are able to provide for you.
I will ask them.
John
The podiatrist has a degree that says he knows a lot about feet. The fitter may just be someone who went into business for himself, and your experience with him has been rather poor.
Given a choice, I know who I would trust. First the podiatrist. But maybe most of all, me. My feet, and I know what I feel, and I'm not afraid to play around until something works.
It is so easy to trace the insole on a piece of cardboard or thin leather, or a thin dollar store insole, cut it out to create a new insole, and experiment by adding tape or adhesive foam to the underside in strategic places, until your foot is comfortable, that I don't understand why everyone doesn't do this, not just for skate boots, but for ordinary shoes. It just takes a few minutes to do each experiment. There are similar things you can do along side the foot if there is anywhere the boot is too big - though heat molding can fix many of those problems. (For some ideas, take a look the web page in my signature, in the sub-page on modifying boots.)
Once you've got the bottom surface right, maybe re-heat mold the boot to get the side and top right. You yourself posted Riedell's web page on the approximate temperatures to use, and you could do it with a hair drier. You take the parts of the boot you need to change to the temperature it is just pliable enough to form, and you form it. (Not too hot! - or you will melt the threads and glues that hold the boot together, or scorch the leather.)
The podiatrist could create an insole to do this too, and he has a lot of knowledge and experience to guide him, so maybe it takes him a few minutes to get the best possible result instead of an hour or so, but he charges a lot, and if things change, it's good and fun to do it yourself. And the podiatrist may lack experience with heat molding. (On the other hand, there must be many things a podiatrist is trained to know and diagnose that the rest of us can't possibly guess at. They spend a LOT of time training.)
I have trouble convincing most people they can help themselves this way. But you are a scientific researcher, in medicine at that. Trial and error - the experimental approach - is a big part of research. Try it! (I don't have the benefit of your medical training; trial and error, is all that I've got.)
It may or may not be relevant, but there is a difference between an ordinary podiatrist (incidentally, like you, a doctor but not an MD) and a sports podiatrist who has lots of experience with other skaters. Skates have high heals, but skate boots have much better ankle support than high heel fashion shoes, many of which have none. Many ladies on this board have claimed high heel fashion shoes don't feel at all the same as skates.
Besides, a high heel does more than one thing, if you try to analyze what you feel. On my foot, it tilts the whole foot forwards, but it also bends the foot more at the arch, stretches various muscles and ligaments, and alters the shape of and forces on the arches of the foot(Some books claim each foot has 5 structural arches that support the foot and cushion impacts: 3 longitudinal [1 on the lateral side, 1 medial -which may the be the one you meant, and another in between; and two lateral arches, across the center, and across the toes.), and possibly the bursae.
Analyze your pain yourself. Is the pain immediate, as soon as you put the foot in the boot or set your weight on it? Then maybe you are over-stretching a muscle or ligament (or more than one). (Or putting too much force on a bursa??) If not, maybe you are over-using a muscle (or more than one) to compensate for an unsupported part of your foot, or there is a point on the foot that slides, externally or internally, or has too much pressure. There are a finite number of possibilities. With your knowledge, you can probably figure it out. (Or maybe a slightly over-stretched muscle or ligament will finish stretching and the problem will go away, but don't count on it, because skating sometimes puts a lot of extra force on it.)
But if after a day or two you can't figure it out, call Riedell and see what they can do. Like any custom shoe maker, they do this stuff day in, day out, every day, and if you go to them, as expensive as the travel is, they can likely help.
I got my foot x-rayed today. The bones where the pain is coming from are partially fused (from arthritis). That is why I cannot bend my foot in the direction as need for high heels.
On the brighter side, I tried my old inline skates on and they fit perfectly (no high heel).
Sometimes in life when you have a lot of trouble with something, it it often for the best to avoid it.
By the way, I didn't mention that the fitter will not give me back my money for the blades that I didn't receive. First he said he couldn't refund my money because he didn't get the blades in (the ramblings of someone insane). Then, he found them and still would not refund my money and won't give a reason. So, I'm disputing the charge on my credit card.
John
Quote from: johnallocca on May 06, 2014, 10:51:34 AM
If the heel was lowered, one would be tilting backwards because the blades are made for a high heel.
John
As has already been said, that is not necessarily true. There is a wide range of heel heights and even individual brands heel heights can vary from model to model, and in more so with customs. That is, amongst many others, one of reasons why certain blades are recommended for certain boot types/models, because they heel height is adjusted to fit with the blade contour.
Quote from: johnallocca on May 06, 2014, 10:11:41 AM
Yesterday, I brought my skating boots to a friend who is a podiatrist. He said the problem is not so much the arch as it is the high heel. Arthritis has changed my foot over the past 14 years, particularly, the right one whereby my foot will not bend in an unnatural position for high heels. I can only wear regular heel shoes/boots. He said if ignore the pain and skate with these boots, I will damage my foot and have trouble walking.
The fitter said the doctor doesn't know what he is talking about. I should ignore the pain and skate. The pain will go away.
I can skate with inline skates, which is how I started, if I can find a place to skate. Most parks on LI don't allow skating.
John
Your fitter is probably right. A lot of people skate with pain in new boots and it eventually goes away. Try taking two advil an hour before you skate and see if that reduces it.
Plushenko's coach, Alexei Mishin, reportedly, cuts off some of the height of the heel and makes the boot flatter for his students. I looked at the photos of Plushenko's skates- the heels do look a little lower that other skaters' boots, but they are not flat.
I am not sure you can skate in an entirely flat boot- the blades are designed with a rocker under your ball and if the ball's weight is somewhere else, then the blade may not function the way it is supposed to.
Riedell is not particularly known for their custom boots, but their customer service is great. I would ask if they could lower the heel as much as possible.
Also, I would get another podiatrist's opinion (or two), preferably the ones that have some experience with figure skaters. Perhaps you can contact this guy- (he writes for the Skating magazine) and ask his opinion: http://www.askmredge.com/
Besides, you have not even mounted the blades, let alone skated in the boots! They do not fit the same when there is a blade on them. There is always an adjustment period for boots with pain involved.
Before you give up the idea of skating altogether, I would also check with Harlick and ask their opinion. They can make boots with allowance for orthotics, too.
It sounds like the fitter did a poor job all around. Hopefully you can figure it out!
Quote from: johnallocca on May 06, 2014, 02:12:46 PM
On the brighter side, I tried my old inline skates on and they fit perfectly (no high heel).
My inline skates are not much at all like figure skates. They are more like speed skates, which are flat.
Quote from: irenar5 on May 06, 2014, 10:29:55 PMI would also check with Harlick and ask their opinion. They can make boots with allowance for orthotics, too.
It sounds like the fitter did a poor job all around. Hopefully you can figure it out!
I second all of this... if Riedell or your fitter can't ultimately solve the boot/fit problems, you shouldn't be out for the cost of the boots if they just aren't going to work for you. If you have a specific othopedic problem that needs accommodating, that needs to be brought to the attention of both the fitter (whomever you use, not just the one you've been dealing with) as well as the boot maker. If a custom orthotic could help with the positioning of your foot in the skate, then your podiatrist or orthotist should be brought into the loop as well. Plenty of people skate successfully with a number or orthopedic issues in their feet and ankles - there's no reason a solution can't be found for you as well.
Quote from: irenar5 on May 06, 2014, 10:29:55 PM
I am not sure you can skate in an entirely flat boot- the blades are designed with a rocker under your ball and if the ball's weight is somewhere else, then the blade may not function the way it is supposed to.
Some of my coaches have advocated that one skate most of the time with weight over the ball. Others have advocated over the center of the skate - or a little forwards of the center when skating forwards, but backwards of it when skating backwards. Maybe he could have a discussion with his coach, to see if the coach can adapt style to the student's needs.
On top of that, blades can be changed too.
What might be more relevant, depending on the student's goals, is that current figure skating standards emphasize skating styles of skating in which balance is held forwards during many tricks.
Besides, he isn't actually saying he can't have any heel elevation at all. E.g., most beginner skates have relatively small heel elevations.
The ballerina who wanted a flat foot bed may have been a very special case - and I don't know whether that there was a net forwards slant to that foot bed. After all, ballerinas fully point their feet.
Quoteor a little forwards of the center when skating forwards, but backwards of it when skating backwards.
Not to get off topic, but this is actually opposite from what happens:-) When you skate forward, you are on the back of the blade and when you skate backward, you are on the ball (which is more front of the blade)
I tried wearing the boots only 10 min a day. Now, the pain is not going away even after not wearing them for 3 days. I believe the podiatrist was right, I will damage my foot. The navicular and talus are deformed preventing my foot from bending as needed in high heels. Forcing it will chip or fracture one of them.
I can wear my inline skates, which is nice depending upon the weather.
But, I would also like to ice skate on hot days. I don't care about competing. I just want to have fun skating.
Hockey skates have a low heel and would work fine for my right foot.
Does anyone have any experience using hockey skates on the ice rink?
John
Quote from: irenar5 on May 08, 2014, 12:41:59 AM
Not to get off topic, but this is actually opposite from what happens:-) When you skate forward, you are on the back of the blade and when you skate backward, you are on the ball (which is more front of the blade)
If you've taken from many coaches over the years, it's just one of the things you have to change.
I spent some time trying to figure this out by watching televised skating, but found no consistency - merely found that even very good internationally competitive skaters don't all do these things the same way.
Quote from: Query on May 08, 2014, 02:12:38 PM
If you've taken from many coaches over the years, it's just one of the things you have to change.
I spent some time trying to figure this out by watching televised skating, but found no consistency - merely found that even very good internationally competitive skaters don't all do these things the same way.
I have to agree with Query here, there is no "one way" to do most things in skating. It is whatever works for you ultimately.
Query, I see some of your posts on heel height. I want your opinion. Riedell is willing to do whatever it takes to make a boot that works for me including making a new boot.
I'm thinking of sending the boots back along with a shoe and insert that I use. Have them make the bottom of the boot flat like a regular shoe. I'm also thinking of having them lower the heel by 1/4"
What do you think?
John
I think making a new pair of boots, or radically modifying the current ones, sounds like a great starting point. Provided the information for the fit comes from a highly competent fitter. By your descriptions, your experiences working through your current fitter have not been positive enough, IMHO, to presume that any aspect of his work should be taken as a good basis for making boots, or even for making the final adjustments post-manufacture.
I think that you should discuss with Riedell the possibility of traveling to their location in Minnesota to see their fitter, or if you can't afford that, to a fitter that they recommend, even if it is a several hour drive, before doing any further mods or getting new boots made. E.g., there is supposed to be a very good one who works the pro shop at the University of Delaware. Perhaps Riedell knows of one a little closer. Perhaps our New York members could also advise you on a really good fitter closer to home.
Yes, that sounds extreme, but you asked my opinion. My opinion isn't based on any knowledge of medical things, but is only based on working through the problems of misfit boots myself. It seems to me that the boot makers themselves, and perhaps the half a dozen to dozen best fitters in the world, are in a completely different skill category from the average pro shop pro. When your health is at stake, as it seems to be, it makes sense (to me) to go to the best. And the best for a given brand of boot probably are probably the people who make the boot, because each boot maker makes different assumptions on the way a boot changes under load. I'm not sure if Riedell will let you see the master boot maker, but they would almost certainly let you see a fitter that they have thoroughly trained to fit boots their way.
Too bad, with your location, that Klingbeil has been recently been criticized by people on this board for customer service issues. A couple of years ago, many people would have said that you try to get a refund from Riedell, and go to Klingbeil's factory store for custom boots. When they were run by the Klingbeil family, they were very knowledgeable and good - at least when Don Klingbeil (and Bill Klingbeil before him) did the fitting and mods.
Quote from: icedancer on May 08, 2014, 03:34:42 PM
I have to agree with Query here, there is no "one way" to do most things in skating. It is whatever works for you ultimately.
Sure, you can do things the easy way or the hard way:-) When something is done correctly, you feel the effortlessness of the move. Frank Carroll likens the movement pattern to a speed boat. When it zooms forward the bow is up as the stern is lower in the water. When the boat is pulled back by a rope, the bow is dipped in the water, while the stern is up. Most skating mistakes (and falls) result from being on an improper place on the blade.
Now, I have new hope for returning to ice.
John
Reduced to 128k. Double click on the photo to make it larger.
John
I got brand new K2 Fit 80 inline skates today. They have a lot foot bed and fit ok. My old inlines were 20 years old, beat up, and worn out. Now I have to wait for the rain stop to skate outdoors, which will be in 2 days.
I sent my boots back to Riedell along with shoes to lower the foot bed.
In the meantime, I ordered Riedell model 830 SS Adult recreational skates for $89 so I will have something to touch ice with while waiting, which will be 2-4 weeks. http://www.lowpriceskates.com/riedell-830-ss.aspx
John
I'm with Query. I think you've put enough energy into this that it's best to meet the boots (and your shoe) in Minnesota. The fitters will much more likely be successful in meeting your needs if they have your actual feet to work with.
This might seem like a PIA, but it will be time and money well spent and you are much more likely to end up happy.
Many skaters, I'll even posit that most, need to drive hours or even make an overnight stay to get to a good fitter. I know I do, and for my next pair will very likely need to actually leave the country. It's par for the course if you don't want painful skates. If its within your power to go, I would.
Quote from: Query on May 09, 2014, 10:30:05 AM
Too bad, with your location, that Klingbeil has been recently been criticized by people on this board for customer service issues. A couple of years ago, many people would have said that you try to get a refund from Riedell, and go to Klingbeil's factory store for custom boots. When they were run by the Klingbeil family, they were very knowledgeable and good - at least when Don Klingbeil (and Bill Klingbeil before him) did the fitting and mods.
I believe they've actually closed up shop, or at least they are no longer making or repairing custom boots. I think they might be mass-producing low-level skates overseas, but I'm not sure. Their master boot maker is now at a new boot company in Nashville. They posted on Facebook recently that they are going to try to accommodate repair requests from former Klingbeil customers.
Quote from: irenar5 on May 09, 2014, 10:44:20 AM
Sure, you can do things the easy way or the hard way:-) When something is done correctly, you feel the effortlessness of the move. Frank Carroll likens the movement pattern to a speed boat. When it zooms forward the bow is up as the stern is lower in the water. When the boat is pulled back by a rope, the bow is dipped in the water, while the stern is up. Most skating mistakes (and falls) result from being on an improper place on the blade.
Can you explain why you feel that leaning against the motion lets you move easier?
Speed skaters don't do it your way.
You aren't a speed boat. Unless you balance right on your sweet spot (where the rocker radius changes), the blade shape seen by the ice does not change, because the rocker radius is constant. Besides, AFAIK, there is no significant bow wave to climb, but there is significant sideways displacement of the ice, and longer rocker radii glide better. Perhaps that sideways displacement makes you more like an efficient displacement hull ship, in which the bow drops?
I can't figure out which is more efficient. My best guess is that your way creates a marginally stronger push, but more drag on the glide.
I added to the diagram:
John
Quote from: Query on May 10, 2014, 01:58:02 PM
Can you explain why you feel that leaning against the motion lets you move easier?
Speed skaters don't do it your way.
You aren't a speed boat. Unless you balance right on your sweet spot (where the rocker radius changes), the blade shape seen by the ice does not change, because the rocker radius is constant. Besides, AFAIK, there is no significant bow wave to climb, but there is significant sideways displacement of the ice, and longer rocker radii glide better. Perhaps that sideways displacement makes you more like an efficient displacement hull ship, in which the bow drops?
I can't figure out which is more efficient. My best guess is that your way creates a marginally stronger push, but more drag on the glide.
The blades have a toe pick, so if you are too far forward on the blade going forward, you can easily trip over the toe pick and there is less stability. For example, on a spiral you have to ride WAY back on the blade. Try doing a backward crossover with your weight further back on the blade- you will probably find yourself falling.
You can debate the minutiae ad nauseam, but the fact remains, that to have proper form and safety in figure skating, your going forward blade position is further back on the blade than your going backward position. I invite you to try both and see what you think :-)
Irenar5 we are way off-topic.
I find everything easier my way, and I prefer the way a pair of ice dancers look when they lean together into the motion than away from it. It looks much more natural.
Both are probably just be the way I was taught. Your way also requires better flexibility, and I think you have to check turns more, both of which would be a problem for me.
I got the boots today. They fit perfectly without right foot problems. Now, I have to order blades. Attached is a photo of the boots.
John
That's fantastic! I hope the perfect shop fit translates smoothly to a perfect on ice fit.
I'm glad you got this sorted out, and FINALLY have a pair of boots in your hands. Blades will be easy peasy compared to this.
Looks like they did a great job!
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What a happy update!
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Yay!! the boot looks great! Good to hear you can skate!! And figureskate for that matter as well LOL! Have fun!!
Ripping the ice all day!
Very impressed with the service you've received from Riedell and hope that you have a nice easy break in when you finally hit the ice.
I ordered the blades (MK Professional Revolution). So, I should be touching ice within the next two weeks. I went out on Inline skates a few weeks ago and learned that my skating abilities are gone. I need to regain my balance. Consequently, I will be starting from the beginning, which may be a good thing because my coach will have a blank canvas to work with.
John
It's so wonderful that you are pleased with the redone boots (so far)!
Most people that I have talked to who had problems with new custom boots, and who quickly went back to the manufacturer (all manufacturers) have been very happy with the results. Most of these people work very hard to please custom boot customers, and usually manage to please them eventually, though every boot maker has some exceptions among its customers. I'm glad that Riedell is still in this category.
Perhaps it helped that your problem was very public on this website, but I'm pretty sure they would have tried their best anyway.
:BS: :stars: :BS:
I got the blades and just has them mounted. The skates are great.
I'm just in time for my rink (and all in the area) closing their morning sessions for the summer. I have to work in the afternoons and evenings.
I may have to wait until September.
There is definitely something to be said about winning the lottery and building your own rink.
John
John, I think you said you go to the same rink I go to. The 10am weekday sessions still go until 6/29. At least you can get a little ice time before they start the summer schedule. And there's an adult-only skate on the schedule, Wednesdays 9-10pm after that.
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I skate at the Dix Hills Rink. It goes until 6/26/14. That gives me a little over a week. Now, I see why so many people go to summer skate camps.
The Rinx and Superior Rink have similar schedules.
I usually work until 8 or 9 pm. Wednesday night is out. Besides, I'm too tired to skate at night after being up since 5 am.
I'm going to see if there are any summer skating camps for adults around.
John
New photo
Click on the photo to make it larger.
John
I skate at Dix Hills, too. I definitely see why the Wednesday night would be rough after a long day. Don't know if I will really make it there myself, and I'm not sure what I will do over the summer. My kids go to camp there a lot of the time, but that doesn't help me much! I haven't looked at schedules at Superior or the Rinx. It is a bummer for me to have finally gotten more confident about skating and not be able to get the morning ice time, and even worse for you to have waited so long and be faced with that. :(
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Do you know what the reason is that they close the morning sessions during the summer?
By the way, when I was skating (14+ years ago), the Dix Hills Rink closed down completely for the month of August. That was when there was only one rink.
John
Your profile says you are in Northport, NY - on Long Island, a few tens of miles from NYC. Doesn't NYC have year-round ice rinks? If you don't drive, there appear to be public transportation systems that go near there.
I notice a major problem with your new skates. No scratches! That can be fixed. :)
They run skating camp all summer from 9am-3pm, so I guess they don't want more people on the ice at the same time. During the year-round school break camps they still run morning publics, but those aren't as heavily-attended. I think the hockey camp uses the other ice.
Have you checked cantiague, bethpage, or even newbridge?
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I'm closing this thread since Reidell has delivered acceptable skates to johnalloca and it's time to move on.
If you want to talk about local skating options PM each other or start a new thread.
Just as a caution to other posters, there was never a problem with Reidell. Johnalloca had a problem with his fitter. Reidell throughout this entire episode has been very professional.