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

Skaters must have their own skates and figure skates are required for Intermediate skaters and up.  If your skater needs skates, we highly recommend Jackson 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 and beginner figure skates.  For our intermediate and advanced skaters, it is important to get a sharpening from someone who has a lot of experience with figure skates.  The two best options are:

1. Ed Nowak in Shelburne (by appointment only)

2. Montreal via Coach MariAnn (2-3 trips per year)

To receive more information on the options above and our recommended sharpening radius, please contact skating@middfsc.org.

How do I care for my skates?

Do not let your kids skate with their regular skates on natural ice, the blades get destroyed by the knicks 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 its put 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.