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What clothes should my skater wear while skating?

A skater can wear what they feel comfortable in. Clothes should be warm as it can get cold in the rink but also breathable as skaters can build up some heat from their skating. While parents can opt for snow pants, they are not always a good idea as they are bulky, not very breathable and can be slippery on the ice when your child falls and is trying to get up. Warm pants with long underwear underneath can be a better option.

Do I or my skater have to wear a helmet?

YES! For ALL CanSkate programs and those in the Junior STARSkate program still working on Stages 5 & 6, a CSA approved hockey helmet is mandatory. See our Helmet Policy HERE for more details.

Does my skater need to wear a face mask on the ice?

Skaters do not need to wear a facemask while on the ice. If you would like added protection against the spread of COVID you can opt to wear a full helmet visor instead of the cage, as seen below:

Does my skater need skate guards?

Yes, some skaters arrive at the rink ready to skate with skates on. That means skaters will put on their skates at home,  in the car, or the area outside the rink and walk in the parking lot to the door of the rink. Walking on asphalt without guards dulls your blades making it harder to skate but it can also damage blades if you step on a stone and get a chip in the blade. 

Others arrive early and are walking around while waiting to go on the ice. Although the areas between the dressing rooms and the rink surface have soft material to protect blades, it is still very dirty from all the salt, winter dirt and what not brought in on boots. There are also areas with concete flooring. Having guards protects the blades, and is safer when there are many children running around. 

What kind of skate guards do I need?

There are a number of products listed as skate guards. Skate guards should be made of hard plastic. Soft skate guards (known as soakers) are used for your skates when your skates are put away in your bag. The soakers “soak” up extra moisture so that your blades do not rust. Soakers should not be used to walk outside.

Soakers Hard walking guards

On the left is a soaker this should not be used to walk in skates outside, it is used to absorb the remaining dampness from your blades, and protect your bag and blades during storage.

On the right are hard skate guards and will protect your blades when walking outside.

Are there different skate guards for hockey and figure skates?

Yes. Because a figure skate has a toe pick and is a solid blade the skate guards are narrower. Hockey skate guards are more rounded because of the rounded edges at the front and back. Below we have listed some common skate guard types and the type of skate they are for:

Hockey skate guard. The black guards on the left below are hockey guards. Note that the back strap is thicker and shaped to go over the plastic upper of the hockey blade. The front is also more rounded and wider to more easily fit the hockey blade.  

Figure skate guards. Both types shown in the middle and right below work well for figure skates. The middle pink guard is similar to the hockey guard, only slimmer with a narrower strap at the back to hold the blade in. The guards on the right are two piece guards that are held together with springs. These types of guards tend to be more secure since the spring tension holds the guard against the blade so it doesn't slip.

Are roller skate guards a good idea?

While guards with wheels can be fun, they are designed more for rolling around the rink and not for rolling in a parking lot with potholes, or covered in snow. We recommend against the use of roller skate guards this year as they may increase a skater’s risk of a fall in the parking lot.  Also, if your skater is a beginner, these can be dangerous if they cannot properly maintain their balance. They are also more expensive than traditional guards.

Are those boot skate guards a good idea (like the ones in the picture below)?

A brand of skate guards have been designed to simulate the bottom of a winter boot. While these guards are expensive $50 compared to the $8-$20 of regular guards, they would provide skaters better grip in the parking lot particularly in winter months. 

Where can I buy skate guards?

You can buy skate guards at most sports equipment stores. Canadian Tire, SportChek, Source for Sports and Chuckies are some of the local shops in Charlottetown that stock skate guards.