Regina Speed Skating Club - More Information on Equipment

More Equipment Info

Notes on Skater Safety

The following are steps that skaters can take to insure their safety and minimize the possibility of accident:

1. Skate laces should be maintained at the minimum length required for tying.
2. Frayed laces should be replaced before they break.
3. The small bolts used to attach the blades to L-brackets (cups) and the larger bolts that attach the cups to the boot should be checked for tightness on a regular basis. Check with your coach if you need to borrow a wrench.
4. Currently, provincial rules mandate the wearing of eye- protective gear.
5. Ripped or torn skin suits cannot be worn as no exposed flesh is allowed below the neck (unless something is worn under the skin suit to cover the exposed area.
6. Skates should be sharpened on a regular basis. Dull blades will result in more frequent falls. If you do not possess sharpening equipment, several skaters within the club will sharpen skates for a nominal fee.

Clothing

Stretch tights for older skaters or wind suits for younger skaters are the most appropriate. Skaters have to be able to move freely to skate well. Baggy pant legs should be avoided. For Short Track races a special suit with Kevlar protection is required for older skaters. Contact your coach for clarification.

Keeping Warm for Long Track

An extra pair of underwear under tights or sweat pants and a turtleneck and a sweatshirt is usually enough, along with a windproof jacket and mitts. Always dress in layers.

A good toque which comes under the chin is advisable (keep in mind if a skater's toque comes off during a race he/she may be disqualified).

Skaters participating in long track mass start races will be required to wear a helmet. In this case, a balaclava worn underneath the helmet is recommended.

A neck and face warmer is an absolute necessity.

Make sure dry socks are worn in your skates. Damp socks lead to cold feet.

Caring for your Skating Equipment

Your skate’s # 1 enemy is moisture.

The following is the recommended maintenance program to insure your skates continue to look good and last long!

1. Skate blades should be wiped dry every time you leave the ice surface. This includes practices and competitions.
2. Skate guards should be on the blades any time you are wearing the boots and you are not on the ice surface. This helps to maintain the sharpness of the blade.
3. Remove the guards from the blades any time the boots are not on your feet. This means guards should not be left on the blades while the boots are lying in the dressing room or stored in your skate bag. It is recommended that you cover the blades with a cloth or socks whenever the guards aren’t on. This will help to protect the contents of your bag from being cut by the blades. The cloth cover will also help to wick condensation away from the blade.
4. Your skate boots should be polished at least a couple of times during the season (leather boots) or sprayed with a water repellent if the boot is made of a non-leather material.

5. Boots can also be treated with mink oil or dubbin to increase the water-repellent characteristics of the boot.
6. When sharpening your blades, be sure to apply minimal pressure to the sharpening stone. Insure the stone passes over the entire length of the blade.

7. De-bur your blades after every practice and in between races.
8. The tips of your blades should not be allowed to become too pointed (This tends to happen after numerous sharpenings). A general guideline to follow is to place a dime on the end of the blade and confirm that the radius is no tighter than that of the dime. Contact your coach or the equipment manager if you think your blades are becoming too “pointy”.
9. Club rentals are for the purpose of speed skating. Other purposes, such as inline skating, should be discussed with the club prior to such use. If any signs of unusual wear appear such as leather peeling or seams separating, please contact your coach or the equipment manager immediately so that repairs can be made as quickly as possible.

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