Equipment & Clothing Requirements

Having the proper equipment can make or break you or your child’s performance (and your ankles)! Indeed, not only is it important for the sake of progress, but inappropriate equipment can be a severe safety hazard as well. A good pair of skates that fit doesn’t have to be an expensive, onerous chore. We strongly recommended that you review the information below before you buy anything. The right decision here could literally make (or break) your child’s skating experience.

For All On Ice Sessions

• Skates that fit (see the Skate Fitting Guide Below)
• Skate guards (plastic), blade covers (cloth) and blade drying rag
• Plastic water bottle
• Always dress in layers so that clothing can be taken on and off easily during our inconsistent winter weather months. Clothing must not drop below ankles.
• No denim please!
• Plastic skates are never recommended!

For Off Ice Sessions

• Form fitting shorts (or sweat/track pants) and t-shirt
• Skipping rope
• Towel/mat
• Running shoes
• Plastic water bottle
• Senior STARSkaters require a skating binder, a pencil and dividers.

For CanSkate Sessions

• Figure or hockey skates
• Comfortable clothing
• Helmet
• Long hair tied back and off the face.

For STARSkate Sessions

• Boys: figure skates, skating pants (form fitting) and gloves.
• Girls: figure skates, skating dress (or skating pants), tights and gloves.

For Power Skating Sessions

• Hockey skates, pads, helmet and jersey.

For AdultSkate Sessions

• Figure or hockey skates, helmets and other padding are recommended but not mandatory.

Skates

The most basic piece of equipment needed to learn skating is a reasonable pair of skates. The type of skates you choose to wear will reflect what discipline you are learning to skate for.  Even in CanSkate those interested in figure skating or recreational skating will prefer a figure skate while those keen on hockey should be in hockey skates. Skaters in the STARSkate Program must wear figure skates.

Skate Fitting Guide:

Whatever skates you do select to wear, there are some fitting guidelines to follow. New boots should be comfortable although one should expect some initial discomfort around the ankles and other "pressure points".  After the skater “breaks in” the skates there may be some additional “popping out” that needs to happen.* The skater's heel should fit snugly in the heel area. A quick test is to have the skater stand in the laced skate. Hold the boot down on the floor and ask them to try and lift their heel. If the heel slides up, then this boot is not right for the foot. Toes should not be cramped and there should be room to raise them slightly.

* This is one of the reasons that we don't recommend that skaters wear the solid plastic skates. They do not offer any way to make adjustments for fit and they simply do not permit the skater to bend properly.

Additional Tips for “Self Fittings”

1. Take the insole out. Put the skaters foot at the back of the insole to see if the foot actually fits the shape of the insole. Get the skater to stand on it and bend their knees. Look both towards the width and the length.
2. To remove a “half” size, buy a new insole and place it on top of the existing one.
3. To add a half size (to leather skates), consider getting them stretched. Contact the Skating Director for details.
4. Plastic skates are NEVER recommended!

Buying Equipment

If you are looking for a good basic skate, there are several options available. Locally, Par 3 Sports in the Fraser Lake Shopping Centre is a great place to find a starter skate. Introductory figure skates can be found at Coops Bikes & Skates in Prince George. It is recommended that Intermediate to Senior level skates be purchased from Skaters Edge in Coquitlam. If you need skates and are in the Vancouver area be sure to stop by by for an individual fitting. The Skating Director can also fit you and get them shipped to you.

For young skaters it never hurts to look at a pair of good pre-owned skates. Rarely do young children break down their skates. They grow out of them before that can ever happen.  It is better to purchase a pair of good used skates rather than inexpensive new ones.  Every September during Club Registration Day, our club also has a used apparel and skate sale. Check our Calendar of Events to find the date and time of this sale.

* We are in the process of creating a pre-owned equipment database! If you would like your skating related equipment or clothing listed, please contact the Skating Director.

If you ever have any doubts about the acceptability of your equipment, please do not hesitate to contact the Skating Director.

“You are only as good as your equipment!”