What kind of skates

[sk8tngcanuck]

What kind of skates

This is a Q for all you skaters and coaches out there. It has come time to find a new pair of skates for the little one. I have gone to all of the reputable shops for figure skates and I am more confused than ever. If anyone can give me a heads up it would be appreciated. She is working on prelim dances etc. and is working on and landing single sal, loop, and is cheating a flip. She is progressing very rapidly, is skating year round, about 8 hours a week, and is 7 years old.

 

[sk8er1964]

skates

My first advise is to ask her coach what he/she thinks is a good skate for your daughter.

That said, it really depends on her foot shape and size. As a kid I wore Reidells, a really good, solid skate, with skates for all levels. A good fitter can recommend the correct style. Their skates are or used to be (they have a new boot that looks interesting) narrow. As an adult, with slightly wider (and fatter <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\"> ) feet, I swear by my Klingbeils. They are more expensive than Reidells.

Another thing to consider is the blades - probably a more important purchase than the boots.

Not being a professional, for her level I'd recommend a Reidell boot, maybe Silver Stars will do if they aren't too stiff, with a Coronation Ace or Majestic blade. That's what I skated on at her level and age. Reidell Gold Stars/Aces took me through age 16 and doubles through lutz (I wish I had landed them regularly, but that's another story ....)

Jackson Ultimas (they're Canadian - the Coronaiton Aces/Majestics are an old, trusted UK brand) have a nice set of blades available for different levels. I use the Elite model (for doubles and above), but they have lower level models too.

Good luck!!!

 

[Cinderella On Ice]

Re: skates

I agree that your daughter's coach may be the best place to start, because he/she knows more about how your daughter skates than anyone else.

I grew up wit SP-Teri's, and still swear by them. I just finished a skating clinic with Olympic coach Kathy Casey, and she told me that most of the serious/elite skaters still tend to stick with Harlicks and SP-Teri's.

I know a lot of the kids at our rink who are your daughter's age/level tend to use Reidell's. I think it's because they are less expensive and yet solid enough for what they are doing. Since she is likely to be growing out of those skates quickly, you don't need to worry about them breaking down before she outgrows them.

An excellent source for skates in our area is the Raindbo Ice Arena in Illinois, and I believe they have a website and will answer emails/questions. You might want to try them. If you can't find them on Google, let me know and I'll post a link.

 

[2skatersmom]

Re: skates

Hi!
I also have a 7yr old daughter and she has a loop, toe loop, sal, and flip. No axel yet. She is in SP-Teri's Pro Teri CL with an MK Professional freestyle blade. I hope this helps. But talk with her coach first. My daughters coach is the one that told me what to get and where to go. Good Luck!

 

[Yazmeen42skater]

Re: skates

I own custom Klingbeil's (Fixed price of about $500). Pricey, but worth it. I agree, talk with the coach, and make sure you use a good fitter.

 

[Littleskatersmom]

Re: skates

I have a 6 year old who is working on her axel and she's in her first pair of Harlicks... and hates them! They are painful! We switched because one of her coaches wanted her in a higher heel... so now, for her next pair we're looking at switching back to Reidell - just changing the heel. She never had any problems with Reidell, other than BLOWING through a pair of silver stars in less than six months.

Just remember you can ask 100 different people and get 100 different reasons why you should buy this pair or that pair of boots... just find a good boot fitter and let them help you decided what is best for your childs foot!