If You Must Use Rental Skates..

[treesprite]

Since there are frequently forum posters who still use rental skates, I thought it might be useful to have a thread with tips for their use. There are at least a few people who post here who have a lot of experience dealing with rentals from a more professional point of view, and I think most of us used rental skates at some point in our beginnings who know some practical information. I am not going to write everything I know, right here and now, so please add what you can.

Before you add information, please note whether you were/are just a user of rentals, or have work-related experience with rental skates.

I have worked at a skate exchange for 5 years, and I am a skate sharpener.

The following tips are basically about the skate exchange, where people go to get rental skates. Someone else, or maybe me too, can add more details about the boots, blades, sizing, etcetera.

The biggest tip I can give is to assert yourself with the skate exchange staff. Don't walk away from the counter until you get a pair that has a stable boot of the proper size, and blades that are at least reasonably sharp and have even edges. Some staff either have no clue or just don't care, so if you get one of those, don't be afraid to ask for someone else to help you. If you are paying to use rental skates (or for lessons that come with rental use), then you deserve to have a good pair of skates that are properly fitted.

If there are more than a single model, try multiple models before you leave the counter. Don't worry if there is a line that is being held up, and don't worry that you are being seen as a PITA by the staff.

If you discover a pair of skates that suit you well, remember or write down the number, so you can ask for the same pair in the future. That pair might not be available every time, so make yourself a second and third choice list, which you may need to change as you progress and learn more about skating or your skills change.

If every skate in your size is unaafely dull, ask if a pair can be sharpened (might have to ask a manager). You might have to wait a while while skates are sharpened, but believe me, it can be done if there is a skate sharpener there. I sometimes sharpen rentals on the spot for customers, and sometimes let them take a different pair then carry the sharpened ones out to the ice to swap with the customer for the dull ones.

If you need help or instruction for lacing, ask the staff to help you. You might have to wait for the line of customers to be done, but someone should come to a bench to help if you ask.

Ask your coach if the skates look like they are the proper size. If you don't have a coach, ask someone who is clearly experienced enough to be able to spot a skater whose skates aren't right. Your coach might also have preferences for which rental skate model to use (my rink's coaches certainly do).

 

[karne]

Additional (started out in rentals and have also seen a lot of skaters in rentals) :

- Socks. It is sorely tempting to wear thick socks, or even two pairs, to make them more comfortable. This is actually a Very Bad Idea. Two pairs creates more friction which can cause blisters, and the thicker the socks, the more likely you are to restrict circulation, which actually makes your feet colder. Make sure the socks you wear are thin (medium thickness can be okay too), and preferably come up at least halfway up your shin (knee socks are the best). Sports socks, anklets, and even crew socks can often be a no-go and cause the top of the skate to rub your skin raw.

- Lacing. Now is not the time to be "fashionable" and wear your skates loose. Make sure they are pulled firm, but not necessarily tight. There is a temptation to pull them very tight, but again, this will restrict circulation and make your feet colder (and more painful).

- Type: some rinks offer both buckle types and lace types. I can't stress enough to pick the lace type.

- Elements: DON'T JUMP. It can be tempting to try a waltz jump or more in rentals. DO NOT DO THIS. Rentals commonly have extremely poor ankle support as well as ground-down or smaller toepicks and you could be in for a world of hurt trying to jump. Spinning is also not advised, but usually has less dramatic and painful consequences.

 

[treesprite]

- Elements: DON'T JUMP. It can be tempting to try a waltz jump or more in rentals. DO NOT DO THIS. Rentals commonly have extremely poor ankle support as well as ground-down or smaller toepicks and you could be in for a world of hurt trying to jump. Spinning is also not advised, but usually has less dramatic and painful consequences.

This really depends on the rentals. We have some that would be dangerous to jump in, and that other people ruined the blades on. But we also have some that are in good shape and supportive enough for waltz jumps (we do get replacement skates once in a while). This is proven by the fact that our LTS program (the largest in the country) has a lot of freestyle group lesson classes offered which are attended by people in rental skates who refuse to buy their own skates. The important thing is to ask the coach if the pair you want to use are safe for what you will be doing.

 

[likevelvet]

I work at seasonal rinks with my club and know how to mount + sharpen skates.

The one thing that makes me :disapp: every time I see it is wrapping the laces around the ankles. Don't do this. Just hook the laces another time instead before tying if you have too much excess.

 

[Pink Ice]

I think Bunga type ankle pads are darn near essential when using most rentals. If I knew I was going to wear them indefinately I would order myself a pair.

 

[tstop4me]

Since there are frequently forum posters who still use rental skates, I thought it might be useful to have a thread with tips for their use. There are at least a few people who post here who have a lot of experience dealing with rentals from a more professional point of view, and I think most of us used rental skates at some point in our beginnings who know some practical information. I am not going to write everything I know, right here and now, so please add what you can. ....

I have no direct experience working at a rental counter (I assume that's what you refer to as a skate exchange) or wearing rentals (not within recent decades, anyways); I've had to get rentals when bringing kiddies (family or friends) to public sessions; and I'm buds with staff who work at rental counters.

I'd just like to point out that all the resources available at your rink may not be available at other rinks. At one rink I go to, the rental counter always has assigned staff during every public session. At other rinks, however, the rental counter has assigned staff only during expected busy public sessions (e.g., weekends and when school is off). During normally light public sessions (e.g., weekday mornings when school is in session), there may be only one person handling both the ticket counter and the rental counter. Regardless of whether the staff are assigned specifically to the rental counter, you can't depend on them to be knowledgeable about skates (some are, some aren't; some are competitive skaters, some can barely skate). Similarly, you can't depend on them to be know how to sharpen skates ... and that's assuming that the rink has a shop that does sharpening [not all do; and some rinks have an on-site shop, but it is not necessarily open during all public sessions]. So, while I'm glad that your rink offers the services that you describe, readers should not automatically expect their rinks to have the resources to provide them. And, even if capable staff is available, it's probably unrealistic to expect personalized service when the rental counter is besieged with a mob of impatient kiddies and parents.

 

[treesprite]

What you are describing is what happens at temporary outdoor rinks, which hire people who know nothing because not many people want a job that only lasts a few months; and they do not usuaally have onsite equipment.

 

[tstop4me]

What you are describing is what happens at temporary outdoor rinks, which hire people who know nothing because not many people want a job that only lasts a few months; and they do not usuaally have onsite equipment.

What I'm describing is what happens in at least three full-time indoor rinks I've skated at.

ETA: I'd be interested in hearing from others. Is the level of rental service described by treesprite in Post #1 available at the rinks you've skated at? In particular, "Excuse me, I've been handed three pairs of skates already. And they all have dull blades. Could you please have a pair sharpened for me?"

 

[Jh9772]

What I'm describing is what happens in at least three full-time indoor rinks I've skated at.

ETA: I'd be interested in hearing from others. Is the level of rental service described by treesprite in Post #1 available at the rinks you've skated at? In particular, "Excuse me, I've been handed three pairs of skates already. And they all have dull blades. Could you please have a pair sharpened for me?"

I work at a year round indoor rink and have 5 more rinks all within an hour of me that I skate at regularly. People can exchange their rentals for another pair if they think the blades are dull, but At a certain point the staff would explain that there’s nothing they can do. The pro shop is on the other side of the facility (we have 3 sheets) and it’s not practical for someone to stop and walk over to sharpen rentals during a busy public, not to mention if one person gets it done, you’ll soon have a line of people wanting their rentals sharpened. The hockey pro shop sharpens rentals in bulk during the day when it’s quiet. Our figure skating pro shop does not sharpen rentals at all but even if they did, I doubt most public skaters would be willing to pay the $25 just for their one time use rental skates.

For morning public, ive never been to a rink that keeps their skate rental staffed. Usually the front desk person will just run down and grab skates for whoever comes in. Rentals are $3. As long as the boots aren’t broken down or missing hooks or a footbed, the laces aren’t torn, and the blade has enough of an edge to skate on, I think the customer has received what they paid for.

ETA: customers can exchange as many times as they want if they’re trying to find the right size or if they want to try hockey vs figure skates. That’s fine.

 

[treesprite]

I work at a year round indoor rink and have 5 more rinks all within an hour of me that I skate at regularly. People can exchange their rentals for another pair if they think the blades are dull, but At a certain point the staff would explain that there’s nothing they can do. The pro shop is on the other side of the facility (we have 3 sheets) and it’s not practical for someone to stop and walk over to sharpen rentals during a busy public, not to mention if one person gets it done, you’ll soon have a line of people wanting their rentals sharpened. The hockey pro shop sharpens rentals in bulk during the day when it’s quiet. Our figure skating pro shop does not sharpen rentals at all but even if they did, I doubt most public skaters would be willing to pay the $25 just for their one time use rental skates.

For morning public, ive never been to a rink that keeps their skate rental staffed. Usually the front desk person will just run down and grab skates for whoever comes in. Rentals are $3. As long as the boots aren’t broken down or missing hooks or a footbed, the laces aren’t torn, and the blade has enough of an edge to skate on, I think the customer has received what they paid for.

ETA: customers can exchange as many times as they want if they’re trying to find the right size or if they want to try hockey vs figure skates. That’s fine.

Some rinks have their sharpening equipment where the rental skates are. I can't imagine having to haul armfuls of rental skates to a different area.

There are times when front desk staff get rental skates (they are basically perpendicular to the each other, not in separate areas), but there is always at least one person on duty who knows how to sharpen skates. The majority of the lead managers know how to sharpen skates. We are part of the parks department, which prides itself on customer service, so maybe that is why people are so willing to help customers.

I don't usually encounter people who ask, because I offer to do the sharpening. We often tell people who we know are taking lessons, to write the skate numbers they like on their lesson cards (they have to show the cards to get the skates anyway). If I know specific pairs used by specific skaters, those pairs will get sharpened before the pairs that no one has specifically requested (which means some pairs get sharpened every couple months while the majority don't get sharpened for a very long time).

It never hurts to ask for things.

 

[Jh9772]

Some rinks have their sharpening equipment where the rental skates are. I can't imagine having to haul armfuls of rental skates to a different area.

There are times when front desk staff get rental skates (they are basically perpendicular to the each other, not in separate areas), but there is always at least one person on duty who knows how to sharpen skates. The majority of the lead managers know how to sharpen skates. We are part of the parks department, which prides itself on customer service, so maybe that is why people are so willing to help customers.

I don't usually encounter people who ask, because I offer to do the sharpening. We often tell people who we know are taking lessons, to write the skate numbers they like on their lesson cards (they have to show the cards to get the skates anyway). If I know specific pairs used by specific skaters, those pairs will get sharpened before the pairs that no one has specifically requested (which means some pairs get sharpened every couple months while the majority don't get sharpened for a very long time).

It never hurts to ask for things.

They use a cart to bring the rentals back and forth when sharpening.

Some lesson kids do know the number of the rental pair they prefer, but there are so many kids that often times their number is already handed out by the time they get there.

I don’t think this one aspect is a reflection of a rink’s customer service. Based on the high levels of customers (especially regulars), and how long my rinks have been around, I’d say they are doing just fine. If one of the two rental staffers offers to sharpen a pair for one person, therefore increasing the wait time of the 25+ other people in line, is that really a better customer service decision?

 

[Nimyue]

There are many rinks in my area. I usually go to the most po-dunk one because it's less crowded and frankly my favorite. During every public session there is one person around who can sharpen. They are not always assigned to the counter, but they've called them up for sharpening before.

How do you even have a permanent rink without a sharpener??? I mean I'd never have mine done by them, but they can certain sharpen the rental skates.

 

[Girlbird]

If you are using rental skates for an extended period of time, at say, 8 bucks a rental, you are essentially spending money that in a few months could be used to purchase an entry-level pair of your own figure skates, or a used pair.

Just saying.

 

[Jh9772]

There are many rinks in my area. I usually go to the most po-dunk one because it's less crowded and frankly my favorite. During every public session there is one person around who can sharpen. They are not always assigned to the counter, but they've called them up for sharpening before.

How do you even have a permanent rink without a sharpener??? I mean I'd never have mine done by them, but they can certain sharpen the rental skates.

Not sure if you were replying to me but I mentioned in my post my main rink has two pro shops, both of which have a sharpening machine and have multiple people that can sharpen figure and hockey skates. I was discussing if it’s practical for them to sharpen rentals during a public session.