Questions about ice skates?...?

i am starting skating lessons this month and i have a few questions :)


1. how much are skates? is it worth buying them - im doing a class that covers basics before you advance into figure skating.


2. how long do they last on average - im doing 2 classes per week


3. any good brands that you can recomend?


4. where can i get them fitted in sydney?


5. any tips on starting the class? stratches that i can do, things i can practise? i do classical ballet, which will help a little i hope.


6. what will i need to take in my bag?





thanks! xx

Questions about ice skates?...?
Welcome to skating:)





1. You may want to hold off on buying skates until you get through some of the basic classes. This could save you money if you decide you absolutely hate skating. Good beginner%26#039;s skates usually cost between $100-$300 (US). You also might look into buying some gently used skates (beware of huge creases on the sides of the boots) as your first pair. If you stick with skating, you%26#039;ll have to buy a more expensive %26amp; stiffer pair as you advance, so used skates might be a good choice at this point if you%26#039;re worried about money.





2. How long skates last depend on how much skating you do and what kinds of skating you%26#039;re doing. If you buy a good pair of beginner%26#039;s skates, they could last anywhere from a few months (if you learn quickly %26amp; advance) to a couple of years (if you barely skate in them and stick to the basics).





3. Good brands include: Riedell, Jackson, Graf, Wifa, Risport, SPTeri, Harlick, Klingbeil. I may be missing a brand or two, but all of those are good brands. You may have only a few of them available to buy in your area. Your best bet is to try on as many brands as you can and see which fits your feet the best. Everyone has their favorite brand, but just because someone else loves it doesn%26#039;t mean you will;)





4. I%26#039;m not sure of specific shops in Sydney. When you go for your lessons, ask the coaches where they would recommend you get skates. You can also ask advanced skaters where they got their skates. Good pro shops and fitters usually develop reputations among skaters and coaches. Just be sure to go to a shop or fitter who specializes in fitting ice skates - don%26#039;t go to a general sports store. Ordering online can be iffy, unless you know exactly what you%26#039;re looking for.





5. The class will probably start with some basic things - gliding, stroking, stopping, and maybe even the correct way to fall. Doing some basic stretching might be helpful. Try sitting on the floor and pushing your legs out into a V-shape as far as you can. You can put one leg in front of you and lean down to stretch your hamstrings. Also, try doing some spiral/arabesque-type stretches. Back stretches are good too. You don%26#039;t have to do a whole lot, but it will help you later if you start now:) And ballet is excellent for figure skating!





6. Things to bring: a sweatshirt or sweater, stretchy pants that let you move (not jeans), gloves, thin socks or tights (don%26#039;t wear thick socks), band-aids for blisters, a ponytail holder if you have long hair, a notebook to write down what you learned so you can practice it before your next lesson, some water or money to buy something to drink if you get thirsty.





This is long! Anyway, have fun, and remember that the more you practice, the faster you%26#039;ll progress:)
Reply:1) if your only taking beginner classes, skates should be about 200-200 dollars. but as you get more advanced, the price becomes higher.


2) my skates usualy last about 2 or 3 years


3) i especcially like SP Terris.


4) im not sure


5) ballet will certainly help! also stretching everyday..even if its only for 5 min. helps a lot 2!


6) u should take a towel to dry off your blades when finished, soakers, guards, gloves, and tissues! cold air makes noses runn! haha :)
Reply:1. a good pair of beginning figure skates usually costs $50-$150 (US dollars). (not that you can%26#039;t pay more than that!) if you%26#039;re just starting and your rink has adequate rental skates, you might want to wait on buying your own until you%26#039;re sure you want to keep skating.


2. I don%26#039;t really know-- the guy at my local skate shop says 12-18 months skating 2-4 hours a week, but my friend used to take lessons and now skates recreationally and her skates have lasted maybe 4 years so far.


3. Jackson, Riedell, Harlick (they%26#039;re mostly higher-end, though), Gam, Graf, SP Teri... there are others. ask at your local skate shop which--


4. --unfortunately I do not know.


5. if you do classical ballet, that should help tremendously, although skating has different techniques for doing things that take time to learn.


6. skates (unless you use rentals), tights or socks, blade guards and soakers (again, not if you use rentals), a pair of thin knitted gloves (if you want), a water bottle, and a jacket or sweatshirt to keep you warm. you might also want to bring bandages and facial tissues.





hope this helps and good luck with your skating!
Reply:well first, i have been a figure skater for 3 months now (not very long, i know!!) and have had a pair of my own Reidell yellow ribbon figure skates for 2 months!! i got them for my 12th birthday in august! i got mine from my pro-shop at my rink! and mine were about 79 dollars cuz skatetown (my rink) has really reasonable prices on everything! even, if you buy your skates from them, they give you free skate bake, and blade sharpenings that same day (only)! plus, you%26#039;ll need a proper skating outfit:





you CANNOT wear:


-jeans (they%26#039;ll rip!!!!!)


-long, loose pants (the coaches need to see where your knees are!)


-long loose jackets (they need to see your elbows!!)





RECCOMENDED:


-tight pants


-thick tights


-skirt


-thin jacket or shirt


-gloves


-skating outfit/unitard





and my favorite brand of skates would be Reidells!! they are pretty and comfertable!!!!!! i have them! but never get SP Terris!! they are ugly and uncomfertable, i heard!! heres a picture of the riedells i have!





http://www.skatemall.com/commerce/produc...
Reply:1. a good pair will be about $100 i recommend the jackson artiste they will get u till ur lutz. myne were abot $250.





2. depends on the skater, i have a friend who went throught 13 skates in 2 yrs - she went through a growth spurt. it depends on how fast u go throught the levels, how fast ur feet grow and how much u skate.





3. jackson, riedell, sp terri





4. search google





5. if ur a complete beginner, not much, u can d sit n reach for a couple min%26#039;s each day.





6. if u dont have ur own skate u done hafta bring nething, maybe a bottle of water.





email me if u want =D





P.S if u get skates, dont forget the guards n soakers.
Reply:1. Price depends on what you want to get. A new entry level skate is about $250-$300. Rentals are ok if your just starting out however they lack consistency in terms of fit and also there is an issue of maintenance. You can always check ebay or noticeboards at your rink.


2. They can last for a while. If your referring to sharpening, I would say every six weeks. Only issue is you might outgrow them.


3. Risport and Jackson.


4. Ice Rinks - Sydney Ice Arena, Canterbury, Liverpool Catholic Club and Macquarie Centre.


5. Don%26#039;t worry about falling. Always bend your knees. Ballet you should have good balance.


6. I would bring some wrist guards, gloves, water. (if you intend buying skates bring a towel to dry your blades after use)





Welcome to ice-skating.



accessories belts