Equipment Basics
Speed skating requires only a minimum of equipment.
Hard-shell helmet: any style is acceptable as long as the openings in it
are not large enough for a skate blade to pass through. Hockey helmets and some
bicycle helmets are suitable to start. If you are in the process of purchasing a
helmet, please check with your coach to determine if the helmet you are looking
at meets Speed Skating Canada (SSC) standards.
Although skaters are not required to wear their helmets on the long track, we suggest they do. While we realize that it sometimes challenging to find
clothing that will fit under and over the helmets, we feel it is important to
protect the skaters as much as we can.
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Neck protector: a bib-style neck protector that adequately covers the
throat region. This can be purchased in sports stores. |
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Cut-resistant gloves: any glove which protects the hand from possible
blade-cut injuries is suitable. |
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| Knee pads: any type of knee pad, such as those used in soccer or in-line
skating, are acceptable. |
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Shin guards: shin pads are recommended, but not required, for
recreational skating (they are for racing). They can be purchased at sports
stores. |
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Clothing: clothing which enables free movement is all that's required to
get started. Stretch tights for older skaters or wind suits for younger skaters
are the most appropriate. Skaters have to be able to move freely to skate well.
Baggy pant legs should be avoided as they catch too much wind and could possibly
cause the skater to catch the skate and fall. |
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Skates: skate rental is available through the club. Skates can also be
bought second-hand or new through the club, or second-hand through other club
members. Any kind of skates will do to start, although in the Learn to Skate
program, hockey skates are preferable to figure skates. |
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Skate guards: guards are necessary to protect the blades from damage
while walking between the dressing room and the ice surface. Please try to bring
something suitable to practice, as these blades must be sharpened by hand! |
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Kevlar ankle protection: the coaches suggest that skaters strongly consider wearing ankle Kevlar
protection. This is more directed to groups 2 and 3; however, it may be a
consideration for group 1 as well. We have procured a number of Kevlar
socks that protect the skaters ankles and lower legs. There are 2 lengths
—(18" and 12")—available from the equipment manager at
a cost of $18 and $12 respectively.
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Safety glasses: the coaches suggest all skaters wear safety glasses
while on ice. There has been a lot more talk of this from Speed Skating Canada and
the coaches feel that we should also be protecting the skaters as must as
possible. These are attainable from a number of hardware store (i.e. Home Depot,
Rona). There also may be a few available from the equipment manager. Approximate
cost is $12-15.
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Mouth guards: based upon our experience in the last few years, concussions (not lacerations) has been the
biggest injury that we have seen. Therefore we are suggesting that skaters
consider getting a mouth guard. It should be noted that once a person has
received a concussion, it makes them much more susceptible to get them in the
future. Prevention is the best cure in this case.
Mouth guards can be purchased from most sporting goods stores. If you are
interested in getting a custom-made mouth guard, please talk to Ophelia
Dagenais. The approximate cost for a custom fit is $50.
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