Trade Show 2018

[FigureSpins]

I attended the PSA's 2018 Trade Show (and Conference) last week.  Made a point of chatting with all the vendors - below are some highlights.  The ISI's Trade Show is next week in the DC area, so if you're interested in talking to vendors or buying stuff, check out their website.  https://www.skateisi.org/programs/2018-isi-conference-trade-show/  Contact them to verify what vendors are going to be there, especially if there's a particular vendor you have in mind.

[FigureSpins]

The MK rep told me that the main difference between MK Pro and JW CorAce is that the MK Professional has a 7' rocker and the JW Coronation Ace has an 8' rocker, which AFAIK is untrue.  Both have a 7' rocker IME and in their own catalog.  He must have gotten mixed up because he later said that Ultimas are all going to 7' rockers, which is partially true.

Ultima is discontinuing several blade models and they are 8', but then again, Ultima chose to make most of their blades 8', so no surprise there. 

What is cool is that Ultima has introduced a new low-end blade model, the Legacy 7.  It has a 7' rocker and  uses the cut-out pattern of the discontinued Ultima Lite blade.  Beautiful blade, light because of all the cut out sections, including on the sole plate.  I asked about skater weight limits (which were an issue with the Lite blade) and they said it wasn't an issue with the Legacy 7.  It seems to be a clone of the MK Phantom, but has higher stanchions.  Cross-cut picks, but the Phantom has the big top pick similar to the Patt 99.  Legacy 7 looks more like the Gold Seal top pick - big, but not hammer-like.

Eclipse (Riedell) had a Quantum blade on display - it's a runner and chassis design (Not Removable) for the Aurora blade. (Compare to CorAce/MK Pro)  It was very lightweight, but without the plastic upper section of the Revolution blades.  Makes a lot of sense.  Their literature states that it doesn't need a special sharpening jig, unlike the Ultima Matrix. 

[FigureSpins]

Sheila Thelen had a table marketing in-person seminars, iCoachSkating, Champion Cords and the Champion Harness training tools.  She gave me the best tip for using a harness with a teeny-tiny skater: put a stuffed animal between the waist belt and the skater's body to fill up the space and make the harness fit better!  Great idea - saved me the cost of buying a smaller harness vest.  Champion Cords were available for a discounted price of $20/pair.

Kim Ryan (Spinergy) was sharing the table - she's a spin specialist who does seminars and internet private coaching.  She had a brand-new spin board for sale and some helpful videos on how to use it for training.  It's a pretty big, curved board, so i asked whether or not it "walked."  She said the beginners have difficulty staying on the front (or back) of the foot, but they get the hang of it and it really helps with spinning.  http://kimspinergy.com/

[FigureSpins]

Harlick and SP-Teri were measuring/taking orders for custom skates.  They had a few of their stock boots on display but there haven't been any major changes.

Jackson redesigned their soles to be PVC, like Edea skates.  I feel that the heels are higher, but it could be an optical illusion.  They're definitely less "chunky" than the traditional leather/cork heel.

Edea (represented by US Skates) were pretty much the same - special lacing, variety of insoles to select (who knew?) and new wider width.  I asked about the toe box - to me, it seems "pointy."  They said they can heat-mold that area to make room for those of us whose big toe is not the longest little piggy.

Riedell was doing a brisk business in measuring/sizing for custom skates.  The PSA is mostly coaches and a few show skaters, so that makes sense.  I eavesdropped on a conversation about their Dance boots vs. Synchro boots.  Basically, the Synchro skates are a little more stiff because freeskating elements are being incorporated so more support is needed vs. ice dance.  I pointed out that Free Dances are starting to look more and more like Pairs, so the group agreed that the Synchro skates might be better for free dance vs. pattern dance.  Interesting conversation.  The Dance boot tongue looks longer/higher, but it's because the back of the boot is cut lower than the Synchro boot.  (My visual observation)

They also had the Riedell R-Fit insole available for sale, with all the lego-colored bits and pieces.  The rep was very knowledgeable about using it in lieu of a custom insole.  A bystander pointed out that it's cheaper ($50) than a custom footbed, which is true. 

Speaking of footbeds, there was a new vendor that I've never seen before - Foot Foundation.  They had balance boards set up to let us try out their footbed fitting system.  It consists of high-quality insole forms with specific balance/alignment goals.  They do not believe in arch supports, their philosophy is to support the foot as a whole and the arch will not be a problem.  *shrugs*  Their focus on aligning joints properly makes a lot of sense to me.   http://www.footfoundation.com/

[FigureSpins]

Two vendors promoting their online lesson-scheduling systems were present.

Coach Concierge focuses on scheduling lessons and communication between coaches and families.  They've made several changes from last year, specifically eliminating the requirement to pay for lessons online through their system.  (Our rink doesn't allow that - the families pay through the rink and they remit to us. Less commission, of course.)  They really ramped up the communications parts - empty slots/cancellations can be found and filled very easily.  $1.50/skater/month and the coach can choose to pay the fee if desired.  Odd URL: www.skater.coach 

SkateDash (www.skatedash.com) was also there, with comparable pricing.  ($1.50/skater/month) No more "joining fee," which was an obstacle.  If you had a skater who lapsed in lessons, you had to take them off the list or there was a fee.  The $1.50 is now based on which skaters are actively being coached each month.  I have several skaters who take the summer off, so this is a good feature.  The app now allows coaches to post zero-cost lessons, which solves my rink fee collection situation.  Personally, I like SkateDash a little more (in theory) than Coach Concierge because it goes beyond scheduling and messaging.  They have a built-in "progress card," suggested practice list item-videos, and a dashboard to keep everyone on the same page.  Downsides?  Android only for now - iOS app is still under development. (Major roadblock - most of my parents/skaters have iPhones.) I'm not crazy about the coach having to "accept" each lesson signup and then "invoice" afterwards. I can see why some coaches would need it, but I do not approve each lesson, nor do I have to invoice now.  My skaters have a set time each week, so I would prefer to schedule for the month and then let the families make changes/schedule additional as needed without my mixing in, lol.

[FigureSpins]

Learn to Skate USA also had a table with freebies like lip balm, gloves, drying towels and the 2018 LTS USA Magazine.  They answered questions very honestly and offered an instructor certification track during the Conference.  Lots of questions regarding standards for both class evaluations and for competition events.

I really like the magazine - it's laid out well and has tips on elements, like stopping.

[icepixie]

Jackson redesigned their soles to be PVC, like Edea skates.  I feel that the heels are higher, but it could be an optical illusion.

The Premieres, at least, are the same height (I measured my old and new ones).  The plastic soles have kind of a kitten heel thing going on, which may make it look like they're higher.

[FigureSpins]

One intriguing table from Golden Horse Skate Co., Ltd. out of Taiwan.  They had some figure and hockey boots with metal blades.  Seemed like they were made of PVC (sole and upper) but the brochure says the upper was made of leather.  Could have fooled me.  Well, actually, they did if the models on display were leather - they looked like vinyl.  They looked a lot like Edeas.  Lots of padding and the ones touted for doubles/triples/quads were very stiff.  I wasn't crazy about the backstrap - it reminded me of ski boots, where the athlete is forced into a forward-pitched stance.  Blades were nothing to write home about - the toe rakes aren't for freestyle skating and the rocker seemed very flat.  Additionally, the metal wasn't high-quality, despite being chromed.   They do custom colors and such, but I didn't get any prices.  Their website doesn't appear to be working - it listed the one item I put into my cart as costing ￥0.00.

They would really benefit from having a native-english speaker review their webpages.  There are a lot of things being lost in translation, like using "hardness" in place of "stiffness." 

I really loved the bright blue color of their sample skates, though.  It's what drew me to their table - not many people stopped to talk to them.

[FigureSpins]

The Premieres, at least, are the same height (I measured my old and new ones).  The plastic soles have kind of a kitten heel thing going on, which may make it look like they're higher.

The kitten heel look - you're right!    Not a fan, myself.  My student who just went into the new style was wearing a different model before, so I couldn't measure.  Thanks!

[amy1984]

One intriguing table from Golden Horse Skate Co., Ltd. out of Taiwan.  They had some figure and hockey boots with metal blades.  Seemed like they were made of PVC (sole and upper) but the brochure says the upper was made of leather.  Could have fooled me.  Well, actually, they did if the models on display were leather - they looked like vinyl.  They looked a lot like Edeas.  Lots of padding and the ones touted for doubles/triples/quads were very stiff.  I wasn't crazy about the backstrap - it reminded me of ski boots, where the athlete is forced into a forward-pitched stance.  Blades were nothing to write home about - the toe rakes aren't for freestyle skating and the rocker seemed very flat.  Additionally, the metal wasn't high-quality, despite being chromed.   They do custom colors and such, but I didn't get any prices.  Their website doesn't appear to be working - it listed the one item I put into my cart as costing ￥0.00.

They would really benefit from having a native-english speaker review their webpages.  There are a lot of things being lost in translation, like using "hardness" in place of "stiffness." 

I really loved the bright blue color of their sample skates, though.  It's what drew me to their table - not many people stopped to talk to them.

Well those are Edea knockoffs if I've ever seen them.  It's skating so all skates look similar... but these clearly are rip offs of Edea's design.

Google lists another site for them for rental skates and those have been around for awhile so I guess they saw another market they could make money in and jumped in. (edit: it's a different company with the same name) (edit again... no it's the same company?? I'm so confused.)

I'm not a fan of the look but then again, I don't like the look of Edea either and I dislike the new look of the Jackson soles.  I guess I'm a classic look sort of person.

Thanks for all the info!

[Bill_S]

Fascinating!

Thanks for taking the time to record your observations and for sharing them here.

[tstop4me]

The MK rep told me that the main difference between MK Pro and JW CorAce is that the MK Professional has a 7' rocker and the JW Coronation Ace has an 8' rocker, which AFAIK is untrue.  Both have a 7' rocker IME and in their own catalog.  He must have gotten mixed up because he later said that Ultimas are all going to 7' rockers, which is partially true.

It's bizarre that he would get that wrong, given that Wilson and MK have been under the same corporate umbrella (HD Sports) since 1997.

[FigureSpins]

It was bizarre - I can only assume that I made him nervous with all my questions and he misspoke, thinking about Ultima.   

[Sibelius]

The Premieres, at least, are the same height (I measured my old and new ones).  The plastic soles have kind of a kitten heel thing going on, which may make it look like they're higher.

I asked Jackson awhile age about the heel height, blade size for the Debut.  They responded, "We have now introduced Debut, Freestyle and Elle made with our Fusion sole which all use our Elite last with a higher heel.  This changes the blade fit but does not change how the skate fits in length."

[davincisop]

Awesome breakdown!

I briefly swung through the Trade show when they were here, because I had met with Jason at Harlick when I was out in SF recently and he held my measurements for the conference so I could get my PSA discount and order it there. I didn't attend the actual conference and didn't know how long I could hang around looking at the other vendor booths, so I did a quick skim as I walked through, but I remember seeing the Golden Horse ones and was baffled because I'd not heard of them before.