- Joined
- Jun 9, 2024
Hi,
I apologise for a basic question but I am completely new as a parent in the figure skating world (I skated many years ago and only returned this year after a 25 year break, equipment was very different). I am wondering at what point do skates need an upgrade, especially as new skills are acquired?
My daughter is 11, and started skating in September. She is post-puberty, so past the main growth spurt and quite tall for her age at about 150-155cm, and 45kg. She switched from artistic gymnastics, and I was put in contact with a really fantastic skate tech here before she started skating and he advised her to get the Elle Fusion Set (they have the mirage blade, not sure if this is how they always come) - for reference she had skated a handful of times but could not go backwards, at this time her skills were go forward, stop, and do a lunge. The tech recommended the Elle because she would also be training about 9-10 hours per week on ice.
I imagined these skates would last at least the first year/season. I know they are usually not recommended for single jumps, but I did speak with someone beforehand about her level. To be honest, I imagined maybe at the end of the season she *might* be able to do a loop jump and a somewhat ok-ish spin. I did investigate switching from gymnastics to skating and the consensus was skills didn't translate so I also didn't anticipate overly quick progress. She has all jumps through lutz and has started doing bell jumps/underrotated axels and 2S preperations in lessons. She is doing both forward+ back scratch, sit spins with about 3 different variations, and basic camel spins. For skating skills aside from the obvious like crossovers and basic 3-turns, mohawk, etc, she can do double 3s, back 3s, powerpulls both feet, both directions, various kinds of footwork patterns. Most of the things seem between juvenile and intermediate MITF level (I think called skating skills now). If i just look up skates based on this level alone, most people recommend a slightly stiffer boot and more advanced blades. I know when I was at that level my coach actually took my parents aside and told them I needed new skates urgently (although I am pretty sure mine back then were much more basic).
I had contacted the tech about a month ago just to check when I should upgrade and he said when she is tying them a lot or they don't seem supportive enough, but she seems fine in this regard. I did notice there are some creases in the boot near where the ankle bends, They are not deep, but I haven't ever seen this in a pair of skates I have owned and they appeared in the last week or two. Does it make sense to upgrade before the end of the season? What about just getting different blades? Or are the Mirage ok for her level? She does have a program, which she will skate in a couple competitions in march and also at the end of year show, but I wanted to keep this first season pretty chill for her so it will really be like 2-3 performances total maximum. I apologise if this is a really basic question, and thank you for your advice.
I apologise for a basic question but I am completely new as a parent in the figure skating world (I skated many years ago and only returned this year after a 25 year break, equipment was very different). I am wondering at what point do skates need an upgrade, especially as new skills are acquired?
My daughter is 11, and started skating in September. She is post-puberty, so past the main growth spurt and quite tall for her age at about 150-155cm, and 45kg. She switched from artistic gymnastics, and I was put in contact with a really fantastic skate tech here before she started skating and he advised her to get the Elle Fusion Set (they have the mirage blade, not sure if this is how they always come) - for reference she had skated a handful of times but could not go backwards, at this time her skills were go forward, stop, and do a lunge. The tech recommended the Elle because she would also be training about 9-10 hours per week on ice.
I imagined these skates would last at least the first year/season. I know they are usually not recommended for single jumps, but I did speak with someone beforehand about her level. To be honest, I imagined maybe at the end of the season she *might* be able to do a loop jump and a somewhat ok-ish spin. I did investigate switching from gymnastics to skating and the consensus was skills didn't translate so I also didn't anticipate overly quick progress. She has all jumps through lutz and has started doing bell jumps/underrotated axels and 2S preperations in lessons. She is doing both forward+ back scratch, sit spins with about 3 different variations, and basic camel spins. For skating skills aside from the obvious like crossovers and basic 3-turns, mohawk, etc, she can do double 3s, back 3s, powerpulls both feet, both directions, various kinds of footwork patterns. Most of the things seem between juvenile and intermediate MITF level (I think called skating skills now). If i just look up skates based on this level alone, most people recommend a slightly stiffer boot and more advanced blades. I know when I was at that level my coach actually took my parents aside and told them I needed new skates urgently (although I am pretty sure mine back then were much more basic).
I had contacted the tech about a month ago just to check when I should upgrade and he said when she is tying them a lot or they don't seem supportive enough, but she seems fine in this regard. I did notice there are some creases in the boot near where the ankle bends, They are not deep, but I haven't ever seen this in a pair of skates I have owned and they appeared in the last week or two. Does it make sense to upgrade before the end of the season? What about just getting different blades? Or are the Mirage ok for her level? She does have a program, which she will skate in a couple competitions in march and also at the end of year show, but I wanted to keep this first season pretty chill for her so it will really be like 2-3 performances total maximum. I apologise if this is a really basic question, and thank you for your advice.
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