Dance blades on non-dance boot

[Roller2Ice]

Hi. I'm new to these forums. I am a middle aged person in the process of making the change from roller skating to ice. I am thinking of mounting Ultima Dance blades on Riedell Bronze Star boots, mainly because I don't want to spring for the extra amount a dance boot would cost if I can help it. I know some dance boots have a higher heel. Is the rocker on the Ultima Dance blade designed for that higher heel (and the accompanying weight shift forward), or would they work fine on "non-dance" boots? I have experience with dance on roller skates, but haven't been skating very long on ice. What kind of adjustment can I expect from dance blades? Any insights would be appreciated.

[icedancer]

Hello and welcome to the board!

There have been a lot of roller dancers who very successfully convert to ice dance - the ones I have known like the dance blades because the shorter heel is more like the trucks (is that what you call them?) on the roller boot - without that extra length in the back - you are used to tight, neat feet.

You can definitely mount the dance blades onto non-dance boots - most of the dancers I know who wear the dance blades (including Ultima) have them mounted on regular boots - the only real difference in a dance boot is that they are cut lower in the back - some dancers have the higher heels but I don't think that is how most of the dance boots are designed - you see the higher heel in a lot of the elite skaters but not everyone does this - not sure how this works out with the alignment of the blades but I don't think it makes much difference...

I hope this is helpful.  I have dance boots and blades but honestly I think with my dance boots (SP Teri) they are not shorter in the back, they are a bit taller in the front - giving them the illusion of being lower in the back... I know others have different types of dance boots and have a different experience.

Have fun switching to ice - I think the only thing that roller dancers have some problems with is the three-turn - the freeleg movement for ice-dancing is much more subtle than on the rollers somehow - but eventually you will get it I am sure!

[Roller2Ice]

Thank you for your answer to my questions. I'm glad to put that worry behind me and focus on the excitement of new skates. It looks like it may be a few weeks before I get them, but that just gives me time for the anticipation to build. You are mostly correct about roller skate terminology. The plate mounts to the boot. There are two trucks on each plate, each holding an axle to which wheels are mounted. The trucks are attached to the plate with a pivot, allowing skating on an edge.

Thank you also for the kind encouragement about the switch from roller to ice. My observation is that you are 100% correct that three turns are a bit different. Spins and three turns both seem to happen with less force on ice and maybe softer edges, so the weight shift and checking the rotation in a three turn both feel different. However, the basic techniques seem to be the same if one can apply them. The free leg should extend behind the skating leg rather than to the side in a three turn, for example. I'm looking forward to the challenge of learning.

I love roller skating, but I also love the freedom of movement on ice. It is a little disconcerting to a new convert, but exciting nonetheless. I welcome any suggestions to make the transition easier.

[sampaguita]

I know a lot of roller skaters who shifted to ice. They said they loved ice more. I hope you enjoy the shift too!

[Roller2Ice]

Thanks. I enjoy ice already on poor fitting rentals, so I'm betting I will really enjoy it on my own skates with well maintained blades. Obviously, investing in ice skates is a leap of faith given my inexperience, but the positive feedback about others who have made the switch makes me more sure than ever.

[Query]

Ultima brand blades require fine motor control - you don't want to rock too far forward or back.

But 4 wheel roller skates do too, so I bet you do just fine.

And it's good you aren't starting with a super-stiff boot, because your 4 wheel roller skating boots probably weren't either. As long as it fits.

Have fun!

[Roller2Ice]

Thanks for the tips. I am concerned that the blades might be too advanced for an ice novice, but maybe I can stay mostly upright if I am fairly careful at first. I almost never think about balance on roller skates, but I guess that will change for a while on ice. I think Riedell is in the middle of a model year change, so it may be another couple of weeks before I get my boots. I chose the Bronze Stars for the exact reason you mentioned. I have Gold Stars and 297s for roller. The Gold Stars are terrific, but I remember how stiff they were in the beginning. The 297s were just the opposite. They seemed to adapt to my movements from the get-go. That's what I am hoping to duplicate with the Bronze Stars to some extent. A novice like me will probably have enough to handle just staying balanced on the blade and learning to get a feel for edges without trying to subdue a boot and mold it to my will. .... I can hardly wait to step onto the ice in my own skates.