How can I get more ankle support for my 6-yr-old while figure skating?
My 6 yr old daughter is taking skating lessons. I did briefly in my teens as well, so I know that skates with proper support is important.
Anyway, I bought a used pair of skates (almost new condition) from the local skating club and I thought they had good ankle support. (If you are wondering, there are Sher-wood Hockey brand, which I don’t think is a name brand. Yes, they are figure skates.) However, while my daughter is doing well overall (Basic 1), her feet are turning inward. I know this is BAD. So, she either needs more support than I thought or I totally misjudged the boot. The only places to buy skates around here is online, so it’s not like she can try them on, etc. We tried the couple of sporting goods stores here, and they were unwilling to help and the pro shop at the rink sells strictly hockey equipment.
Long story short, I am wondering if anyone has experience with this and if there is any suggestions as to how I can make these skates work for now with some kind of additional support. I can see exactly the weak point (at the spot between where the holes for the laces end and the eyelet hooks begin) and have tried to tie the laces as tight as possible but it still fails in the same place.
Thanks.
These are the skates: http://hockey.philbricks.net/browse.cfm/4,4216.html
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:33 am
Those skates are padded, but they don’t provide support. I’ll bet you can easily bend the top of the boots down with your hand – no wonder your daughter’s ankles are bending in under her weight.
The only way to add support to boots is to have them rebuilt by a good pro shop. Very few shops do rebuilds these days and those that do will only rebuild leather skates. The ones you bought are vinyl, so that’s not an option.
These skates cost $20 new, so I’m guessing you spent around $10 for them. Cut your losses and get your daughter a good pair of skates.
Ask if the skating club has some other skates left over from their skate sale or measure/order online if your rink doesn’t have a pro shop. You can also chat up another (higher level) skater’s mom and maybe she has a pair of good skates at home she could sell.
Or, ask the skating school director for a good fitter recommendation. Sometimes, the best fitter in the area doesn’t work in the pro shop. The biggest name brands in the US are Riedell and Jackson.
For a young Basic 1 skater, I’d recommend:
. Riedell – White Ribbon
. Jackson – Glacier or Mystique
She’ll probably outgrow the skates before she wears them out. Resale is about 1/3 the original price.
Before she reaches Basic 5, you’ll need to purchase a different model anyway with more support for one-foot turns and such.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:33 am
I had the same problem, but it was because the bottom eyelet hook was a decorative loop on the side, and I hadn’t laced it through it. Those look like nice skates, and they don’t seem to have hidden eyelet hooks like mine. Maybe it is because her skates are too big. If she slides her toes all the way to the top, there should be a space to slide your finger between her heel and the skate. also, if she brings her heel to the very back of the skate, there should be no more than 1/2 in. of space up at the toes. Now, if her skates are the right size, make sure they are laced properly. To do this, take the tongue out as far as you can, slide her foot to the front of the skate. straighten the tongue out, and place it against her leg. Tighten the laces so that they aren’t too tight around her foot, but there is no slack. Once you get to the first hook, make sure this is tight. That’s where I had lost support. You want to lace the next hooks a bit looser. If your daughter still has this problem when the laces are laced properly, you should take her to a reputable skating shop in your area to get custom skates or to have them try to find the problem. Hope your daughter has fun with skating!
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:33 am
i have ankle supports in my skates you can go on a ice skating website and get some or go to Walgreen’s and get some