skip navigation

The Parent Zone

The Parent Zone

If you are new to figure skating and the world that it is, we would like to help you learn the ways! 

Read below for some frequently asked questions!

Please don't hesitate to email us at skatedirector@ci.stillwater.mn.us with any further questions!


What should my skater wear to Learn-to-Skate?

Skates

    The quality of skates your skater has is everything!  A good quality pair of skates should be the correct size and be of adequate quality. They need to keep your ankles erect, and feet flat on the ground. Most cases of “weak ankles” are due either to cheap department store skates, or to floppy, worn-out or oversized skates. *We do not recommend plastic skates with the hockey/figure skating blades, and our Skate School DOES NOT allow double-runners.*

    For beginner skaters, we recommend figure skates over hockey skates.  This is because figure skating blades are longer, wider, flatter and have a toe-pick. Some people might think that the toe-pick makes it harder to skate but it actually helps some skaters while learning. Toe-picks are a helpful tool when learning to stand up and they help the skater in balancing by not allowing them to rock forward too far. 
 
    Most of all, the difference between hockey and figure skating blades is more surface area on the blade. With a longer, wider, and less rockered blade, the figure skating blade has more blade surface touching the ice while the skater is standing/gliding on the ice. Once they have mastered balancing on figure skates and the basics of skating, such as gliding and stopping, then we think that is a good time to decide what type of skate they want to be in.
 
    The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center sells Riedell skates from beginner to advanced models. Make an appointment with Doug or Bryan for your professional fitting!

Clothes

Snow pants are great for keeping young skaters dry and warm.

Winter coats are suggested for our Tot level skaters.

Lighter jackets for the more advanced levels.

Helmets, of any kind, are not required but many skaters in our Learn-to-Skate classes wear them.  It is your personal preference whether you child wears one or not.

Gloves

    Mittens are best for the little ones.  They are the easiest for everyone to put on.  Also, dark colors are best.  Instructors sometimes draw on the ice with permanant markers.  I don't suggest putting on brand new outfits for lessons for that reason, and the fact that they are wearing 12 inch blades on their feet.   

    For the older, more advanced skater, we prefer small; one-size-fits-all gloves. This allows us, as their coach, to see their hand and finger positioning. 


Where can I buy and sharpen skates?

The St. Croix Valley Recreation Center proudly sells Riedell Figure Skates! 
Please contact Andy to be fitted professionally!
The SCVRC sharpens both hockey and figure skates.

How Often Should I Sharpen Skates?

The frequency of sharpening a skater's blades varies depending on how often your child skates and for how long. 

A skate blade is not built like a knife where there is only one edge.  There are two edges on each blade.  Take a look at a skate blade and if you look closely, you will see that there is a small groove between the two edges, called the hollow.  This is why we teach our skaters "edges" and the importance of knowing an outside edge from an inside edge. 

When skating outdoors it require a bit more maintenance than if you are skating indoors.  There is more debris that collects and nicks the blade.  Walking indoors on the mats also causes these nicks on blades.  This is why we suggest hard guards when walking. 

Brand new skates will need to be sharpened. 

To check your blades to see if they need sharpening, you can try scraping your nail against the blade.  If some of your nail shaves off, the blades are sharp.  If no nail comes off, then it may be time to get them sharpened. 

Many skater's have a different opinions as to how sharp they like their skates.  It is a personal choice, and will take a few sessions to decide how you like your blades. 

Skate Guards

    It is important to protect the blades of your skates.  There are two types of skate guards: Soft & Hard.

Soft Guards:
These are made of fabric and are used when your skates are being stored.  They are made to absorb moisture and keep the blades from rusting.  *We recommend that your skater carries a towel in their bag to wipe their blades after practice.*
 

Hard Guards:
  These are made for walking around in your skates.  They are made of a hard plastic that makes it safe to walk on concrete and all floors. 

What is all this ice time?!?

  • Contract ice is ice time set aside specifically for figure skaters.  There is a "contract session" that runs for several weeks at a time.  Contract packets (yellow) are available at the front desk.  You may either buy the whole contract at the $13 per skater rate, or buy-on individual sessions at the $16 per skater rate.
  • Open Skating is ice that is open to the public.  We often have skaters that will practice on these sessions, and or have a lesson with their private coaches. ($4 for Youth/Senior & $5 for Adults.)
  • Dead Ice is ice that the SCVRC coaching staff may schedule private lessons on.  But ice is subject to be sold at anytime. ($15.00 per skater.)

**All the different ice is scheduled on different days of the week.  Please view the rest of our website for all schedules and times!**


What Skaters Wear on Contract Ice

Contract Ice:
  • Coaches like their skaters to wear tight fitting clothing.  This allows the coaches to see the skater's body position and line.
  • Some skaters like to wear skating dresses and tights.  Others like to wear athletic leggings and tighter fitting tops.
  • Skating tights can be purchased at the SCVRC's Pro Shop.
  • Small sweaters or athletic jackets are recommended. 
  • Hair is to be worn neat & out of the face.  It can be very distracting to the coach and the skater if they have hair constantly flying in their face. 
  • Gum is not allowed on the ice.
  • Small gloves are recommended as then the coach is able to watch hand placement. 

Ice for 2011 Spring Ice Show

Blizzard Rink for 2011 Spring Ice Show. Yes, those are lights in the ice.