Thread: Learning to skate

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the great advice. It really helps motivate me that you are trying to help.

So, the skates felt great (but what do I know about how they are supposed to feel). My heel is locked in and they are snug all the way around. They fit how I think they are supposed to. I got the skates for 80 bucks out the door.

So, I fell today for the first time. Um......ouch. Really ouch. I couldn't curse because all the 5-8 year olds were around. I think I am hesitant to try harder because I don't want to fall. I think getting some pads might help that fear of pain.

If they don't hurt they fit great.

Originally Posted by Player Misconduct

I think I am hesitant to try harder because I don't want to fall. I think getting some pads might help that fear of pain.

Yes, get some pads. You will fall and you MUST fall in order to learn how to skate and play Hockey. Expect to fall a lot when you get your pads and be happy about it, and I mean that in a good way, because that means your taking chances and thats the only way to learn this game. Sooner you lose that fear of falling, the sooner you will learn and when you "get it", it'll be one of the best days of your life.
Keep it up Man!!!

I actually have a set routine for skate maintenance. After I skate I'll wipe of the ice with my fingers, towel it dry, and put on my cloth blades covers (outside of the arena). I do the last part outside 'cause sometimes the blade perspires from the temperature difference in and out of the arena. Some might call this obsessive, but hey, skates are essential AND expensive!

I also pull the tongue forward as far as I can, take out the footbed, and run my towel through the inside of the boot. It keeps out the moisture, lets it breath, and keeps it from smelling so bad. :X

Wow, this post is all about the three point sentence theme.

Originally Posted by chief99

Yes, get some pads. You will fall and you MUST fall in order to learn how to skate and play Hockey. Expect to fall a lot when you get your pads and be happy about it, and I mean that in a good way, because that means your taking chances and thats the only way to learn this game. Sooner you lose that fear of falling, the sooner you will learn and when you "get it", it'll be one of the best days of your life.
Keep it up Man!!!

If you're not willing to buy full hockey gear to wear during public skates (either you don't want to make the $$$ commitment or you don't want to look like a geek to the non-hockey skaters), the next best thing is to buy:

* 2 pairs of volleyball pads: one for your knees and one for your elbows
* 1 pair of (cheap) hockey gloves

The reason for the volleyball pads is obvious. The reason you need the hockey gloves is to keep from hyperextending your fingers & thumbs when you try to break your falls by putting your arm out as you approach the ice (hyperextended digits hurts like a sonofabitch and you may have trouble getting your full range of motion back).

Originally Posted by boshak

.... I also pull the tongue forward as far as I can, take out the footbed, and run my towel through the inside of the boot. It keeps out the moisture, lets it breath, and keeps it from smelling so bad. :X
....

Completely agree. Also, by taking the footbed out & drying the innards, you keep the metal fasteners (that attach the blade/blade holder to the boot) from rusting out prematurely.

I saw a guy's skate fail like this in the middle of a pickup game. He had to go borrow a pair of public rental skates. Boy did he look awkward for the rest of the game ..... or maybe it was the groin strain he'd suffered when his skate blade fell off in mid-stride because the rusty fastener snapped

Lets say I do get some hockey pads. What would I need? Shin, elbow pads, hockey pants, and gloves (gloves I got taken care of). Is that all?

Originally Posted by beingbobbyorr

If you're not willing to buy full hockey gear to wear during public skates (either you don't want to make the $$$ commitment or you don't want to look like a geek to the non-hockey skaters), the next best thing is to buy:

Not too worried about looking like a geek since there is a dude who wears short, SHORT, red shorts while skating. I think all eyes our on him; wary parents.

I want to learn faster, so if that means looking stupid, hell, I am mature enough to handle that. Who is going to laugh at me? All the 8 year old girls learning how to figure skate?

Originally Posted by Player Misconduct

Lets say I do get some hockey pads. What would I need? Shin, elbow pads, hockey pants, and gloves (gloves I got taken care of). Is that all?

Just for skating? Yup!

Originally Posted by Player Misconduct

Who is going to laugh at me? All the 8 year old girls learning how to figure skate?

Yup! Hehheh.

Hey everybody, I've been looking to learn how to skate for sometime as well, but I never learned how to rollerblade/skate. Is it necessary to have that ability or is it advised?

I've been on the ice once in skates at the mall which is 2 min. from my place here in San Diego, and jesus i never felt like more of an idiot, lol. It was more like grab-the-board-and-shuffle than skate, plus it didn't help that my friends were skating around and checking me into the glass. And another thing that drives me crazy is seeing these little kids skate like it's nothing, and here I am...