Sorry about the simplicity of this question, I tried searching on google but found no results. SO I am new, I got my skates, and bought my guards and had them fitted to my blades. However, they are so tight, and are so hard to get onto my blades? Is this normal for the first time?
I don't know how common this is, but they are sooooo difficult to get on the blade! I try putting the backend of the blade first and then stretch over to the toepick, but the middle of the gaurds refuse to engulf the middle of the blade. I have actually sliced my finger on my newly sharpened blades trying to put them on :(
I wonder if there is an easier way of doing this, or if I should try to stretch out the middle of the gaurds (horizonally, the length of them is fine), bc I don't want to be a risk for other skaters trying to get off the ice or to myself by cutting myself on my own blade again.
I hate two-piece guards, but they do fit more tightly than the one-piece version, which means less slapping noise and scratches to the blades.
The two-piece guards usually have one end a little "taller" than the other. The tall end goes over the tail of the blade and the shorter end at the front. If you put them on backwards, the tall side can be hard to put on because it bumps against the toe of the boot. So, tall end in the back.
(http://www.hockeytron.com/1050-dr-hockey-accessory-skate-guard-2-piece.jpg)
I think which end you start with is personal preference - I like doing tail-first because that's how I put on the one-piece guards. Lots of people put the toe in first, then pull back over the heel.
Skaters' Landing has a video on fitting and cutting skate guards:
http://youtu.be/TESwxjfHNic
New guards have very stiff springs, so I'd wait a while before trying to stretch them. It'll take a little use to loosen them up, and then it'll be easier to put them on. You really don't have to put the guards on in the doorway. Step out of the way if you feel you're holding up traffic. Lean against a railing or the rink wall until you get the hang of the process. I wouldn't recommend stretching the springs now because they do loosen up through regular use. You don't want them to become too loose and start slapping and scratching the blades.
Off-topic: If a skater changes blades to a slightly larger size, they might be able to re-use the same guards. Hold each end of the guard in your hands and pull gently to stretch the springs a bit. Worth a try unless you really want/need new guards for new blades.
Wow, thank you so much this information was very very helpful! :D
I'm going through the same thing with my new guards! Thanks for the info :D. I was struggling really hard with the two piece, awhile back with my first skates I had the single piece ones!
I've had some guards where the plastic bowed in the middle of the blade which made them hard to put on. But if you are struggling with the technique, it might be worth practising a bit at home so you're not trying to balance on one leg at the same time.
There's definitely a knack to doing it.