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aimée ricca - figure skating coach
aimée ricca - figure skating coach
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What Do I Need?

Boots & Blades

You can't skate without skates! I require beginner skaters to wear figure skates. Only advanced hockey skaters may wear hockey skates. Double runner skates are not permitted, any skate with a hockey-style blade, and adjustable "grow with me skates" are not permitted for lessons.


Figure skates are different than hockey skates in that the blade has less of a rocker and a toe pick. You may rent these from the arena to begin your skating journey.


Skates are the most important piece of equipment that a skater will use. So, skates need to fit properly and support your ankles.


Incorrectly sized and fit ice skate boots can cause foot discomfort, affect skater performance, cause premature skate breakdown, and lead to injury. So, it is essential that your skates fit properly, whether you own them or rent them!


  1. It may be counterintuitive, but wear thin knee socks! Thin socks, such as knee highs, allow you contact with the boot and do not bunch up in the boot. I only wear skating socks from Nita Sports and highly recommend them! 
  2. One of the most common mistakes skaters make is to assume your skate size will be the same as your street shoe size. Like quality shoes, each brand of skates has different sizing.
  3. Skates should fit your feet today and fit like "Cinderella's slipper!" Boots sized too large with the hope of the skater being able to grow into them is a mistake. 
  4. Skates that are big don’t fit or support the foot properly and can cause discomfort, breakdown, and could lead to injury.
    1. Length: is the foot resting comfortably flat in the skate and not putting excess pressure on toes?
    2. Width: does the skate provide adequate comfort for the ball joint area of the foot and allow proper support of the arch?
    3. Heel: is the heel of the foot seated comfortably in the heel area of the skate to provide maximum foot control?
    4. Ankle: does the skate fit comfortably & properly around the ankle and shin area to allow the desired firmness and strength?
  5. The end of your toes should lightly brush the end of the boot. You do not want to be able to slide your toes side to side in the skate. If your toes slide sideways in the skate, this is a good indication that the boot is too wide and a narrower width is needed. Another way to determine if the skate is the incorrect width: look at the boot when laced up with firm lace tension. The lacing width should not be too close together if it is the boot is too wide for your foot. Also, if the lacing width is too far apart, the width is too narrow.
  6. Boots laced too tightly can cause numbness and pain in your feet. To be your best on the ice, your boots must be properly laced. 


Your blades need to be sharpened, on average, after every 20-40 hours of ice time. The specific depth of hollow will vary depending on the skater. I have my skates sharpened by Greg at Polar Skate Shop and highly recommend him.

Should I Buy My Own Skates?

Boots and blades every skaters most important equipment. I highly recommend that all skaters have their own pair of skates. 


The advantage to owning your skates rather than renting, is that you have control of the blade sharpening, boot and lace condition. You will also experience consistency from session to session.You can even customize the blade setting, depth of hollow, as well as mold the boots for a perfect fit!


Inexpensive skates from a big box store or a “great deal from a yard sale," are often not the value you think they are. 


Specifically, I do not recommend that my skaters wear "adjustable" or "grow with me" skates. The reason for this is that the blade is always the same size and this is not appropriate for learning to skate. My personal experience is that skaters that wear this kind of skate will struggle. I have often taken them off the ice and asked parents to rent skates instead.


I also do not recommend hockey skates or any skate with a hockey-style blade to beginner skaters because the blade design makes it more challenging to learn how to skate.


Never go more than a half-size bigger than your skaters foot. They should be sized for today, not next year. Skaters trying to learn to skate with skates that are too large often struggle. When I've discovered this kind of issue, I have taken skaters off the ice and recommended that the parents rent skates to continue with the lesson.

Learn More About Buying Your First Pair of Skates

What You Need to Know About Ice Skating & Equipment!

How to Tie & Lace Your Ice Skates!

Many skaters (and parents) seem to struggle with lacing their boots correctly. 


Many of you have told me that you wanted a video on tying skates. Even experienced skaters or skating parents can learn something from this video! 

You Bought Ice Skates!

If you just purchased ice skates (figure skates or hockey skates) for you or your child, you must watch this video! 


There are some critical things that you need to do BEFORE you go ice skating in them. 


I explain exactly what you need to do first in this video!

Should You Buy These Amazon Top-Selling Ice Skates?

If you, or your child, are beginning skating lessons, you may be tempted to purchase your first pair of skates online. 


Lots of parents and skaters do this with their pair of skates.

But, it doesn't usually go well! In fact, you could actually be throwing your money away. 


I tried out Lake Placid and American Athletics ice skates, as well as rental skates - What did I think?

Everything You Need to Know About Buying Ice Skates!

My pro tips - this is especially useful for beginers!

Figure Skates for Adult & Teen Ice Skaters!

I often get questions from adults and teens that are confused about which ice skate may be best for them. In this video, I discuss ice skates for adults and teens - adult-size people. Skill level alone is not the only factor. Find out everything that you need to consider when buying new figure skates.

More Questions?

Visit My FAQ!

Lacing Your Ice Skates

Get the most of your skating experience - lace your skates properly!

Skates that are too loose can cause the ankles to “roll” and not create enough support for your foot. It can also lead to foot problems. So with that in mind please take special care when you lace and tie your skates:


  1. Loosen the laces all the way down to the toes and give the tongue a tug upwards before placing your foot in the boot.
  2. Make sure that the socks have no wrinkles or seams that would irritate the foot, insert your foot into the boot and push down on the heel.
  3. Again give the tongue a gentle pull and then secure it straight up and down.
  4. Start at the second set of laces from the bottom. Begin pulling the laces tightly, one pair at a time, so the boot closes well over the front of the foot. 
  5. You will tighten the laces up to where the hooks begin, where you will make a half twist of the laces or a knot. Then continue up by going over the hooks, under then across. After you get to the last hook, you can add another half twist and a double-knotted bow. You should be able to put your finger up to your first knuckle behind the laces at the top of the tongue. It is important to tuck in any extra lace at the top of the boot to prevent stepping on it. Do not wrap the extra lace around the top of the boot. The lace can ride up the leg and cause irritation on the tendon as well as loosen the boot.


The most common issue in lacing skates is to lace too loosely in the ankle area and too tightly at the top of the boot (last two hooks). This provides little support in the ankle area and undue pressure at the top when trying to bend at the ankle.


PRO TIP: Snug at the toe area; tight through the arch and ankle; and snug at the top.

More Questions?

Visit My FAQ!

Helmets

U.S. Figure Skating strongly recommends the use of helmets for beginner skaters of all ages and I require all my beginning skaters to wear a helmet.


To select the helmet that best suites your needs, please consider the following information:

  • A helmet should be both comfortable and snug. Be sure that it is level on your head – not tilted back on the top of the head or pulled too low over your forehead. It should not move in any direction. 
  • The chin strap should be securely buckled so that the helmet doesn’t move or fall off during a fall or collision. The individual that will be wearing the helmet.

DO:

  • Wear helmet low in front to protect forehead.
  • Fasten buckle and check strap adjustment often.
  • Replace your helmet immediately if it shows any visible signs of damage.
  • Clean helmet with mild soap/water only.
  • Store helmet in a cool dry place

DON'T:

  • Wear anything under your helmet.
  • Attach anything to your helmet.
  • Wear a helmet that does not fit or cannot be adjusted properly.
  • Leave a helmet in direct sunlight or in a car on a sunny day.


Which helmets work for ice skating?
A hockey, skateboard or ski helmet (multi-sport) will be suitable for using during beginning ice skating lessons. These helmets are designed to withstand more than one moderate impact, but protection is provided for only a limited number of impacts. They should be replaced if visibly damaged. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on when the helmet should be replaced.


Safety
In addition to wearing a helmet, there are other safety precautions you can take when you are first learning how to skate:

  • Dress appropriately: Warm clothes in layers. All my skaters are also required to wear gloves.
  • Warm up and cool down appropriately.
  • Know on-ice safety rules.
  • Use skill progression to prepare for more difficult elements.

What Do I Wear?

Dress warmly, in layers, so that you can remove layers as you warm up. I suggest stretchy, straight leg or tapered pants (not boot cut, as they may get caught in the blade), a fleece jacket, and gloves (to keep your hands warm, but also protect them).


I do not recommend snow pants as they can be bulky, inhibit movement, as well as be difficult to get up from the ice in (they slide on the ice). As a coach, I look to see my skaters knee bend. Baggy or bulky pants limit my ability to see the skater's leg movements.


I prefer that skaters wear close fitting, pants with stretch that are tapered at the ankle.

More Questions?

Visit My FAQ!

Learn to Skate USA Orientation Video

Learn to Skate USA has put together this great video. Please take a few minutes to view it before your first lesson!

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Serving Morris, Passaic, Bergen, and Sussex Counties of New Jersey - NJ.


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