Do I need to have my own skates? Do they need to be figure skates?

Skaters must have their own skates. Figure skates are highly recommended for all skaters, but absolutely required for Intermediate skaters and up.  If your skater needs skates, we highly recommend Jackson Ultima (not SoftSkate/Softec!) and Riedell brands. They have the best selection of quality skates that you can buy at decent prices. If you are looking at used skates (and we would recommend that since the season is relatively short and feet grow relatively fast), make sure to look at the ankle of the skate. If it has creases/indents that look like it has been folding/flexing (or it is outright folding/flexing), stay away as that ankle support is key.

Do I need to have my skates sharpened?

Yes! Without sharp edges, it can make skating hard and frustrating. Frog Hollow Bikes and the Memorial Sports Center here in town can sharpen hockey skates.  For figure skates, it is important to get a sharpening from someone who has a lot of experience with figure skates. 

The club works with Jesse Safran in Cornwall to provide sharpening opportunities for skaters. Keep an eye open for emails about sharpening and dropping your skates off at practice. He is also available to sharpen by appointment.

Most skaters will use a 5/8 RoH (sharpness) on their blade.

To receive more information on sharpening, please contact skating@middfsc.org.

How often do I need to sharpen my skates?

The frequency of sharpening depends on many factors including blade material, ice surface quality, skater weight, and skill level. Below is a minimum guideline based on our group structure and only skating during your sessions on the college rink.

Advanced and Jr Advanced: Every 8-12 hours of ice time

Intermediate 3: Every 12-14 hours of ice time

All other groups: Three times per season (Beginning, Around the Holiday Break, the week of the show)

How do I care for my skates?

Do not let your kids skate with their regular skates on natural/outdoor ice, the blades get dulled very quickly by the nicks and bumps in the natural ice. Always dry blades with a towel or cloth after skating and do not store blades wet. Try to use a soft blade cover to store skates instead of a plastic skate guard – if skates are stored wet in plastic guards, they will rust quickly. Try not to leave your skates in the car on cold days. Don’t carry skates by the laces as it puts extra strain on the laces and will cause them to wear more quickly.

Are helmets required?

While helmets are optional, we HIGHLY recommend helmets for skaters with 0-3 years of experience for lessons.  Ski, skateboarding, and bike helmets work great if you have them.  There are also figure skating headbands like the Crasche Middie (https://crasche.com/node/54) and ice halo (https://www.icehalo.ca/) if your skater does not like helmets or is in need of one.