Figure Skating......!!!?

hi! I have a few questions about Figure Skates and skating. I'm 16 and today i'm getting fitted for (and buying) Figure Skates from a professional store.





While getting the skates fitted, do I wear thick socks or tights? (I'm taking learn to skate lessons- NOT performing YET!)





The first time i'll be performing a program would be at my high schools figure skating competition in exactly 1 year.


Do you think i'll need new skates in 1 year?





What do I need to know before getting fitted for skates?





What else should I get for my skates or myself?|||When you go to get your skates fitted, wear whatever you would when you are skating. Ideally, you should wear nylon type socks that aren't too thick or too thin, or skating/quite thick tights, when you are skating. Cotton socks absorb the sweat from your foot and can cause blisters, so are not a good idea.





Whether you'll need new skates in a year really depends on a lot of things. If you are getting beginner figure skates then they are likely to break down faster, so there is a chance that your boots will break down after a year. Similarly, if after a year you are doing jumps and spins in boots that aren't designed for that level, you will need to buy some more advanced skates. If the store specialises in figure skates then the skate fitter should be able to give you advice on what kind of skate is right for you - they should be able to find you a good quality boot and blade that will last you through learn to skate classes and for a time after, without giving you really stiff boots that are designed for more advanced skaters.





Here are some boots that you might want to consider - everybody has different preferences because each brand fits differently, but it might help to try them on and see what type of skate you prefer:





http://www.planeticicle.com/prod5.asp?ID鈥?/a> - Risport RF4. The website says they are for jumps, but I skate in the equivalent boots and have had them right from beginning skating to now (one foot spins, toe loop, salchow etc). They are strong enough to land jumps in (which you will probably be doing in a year) but are not too stiff for learn to skate either.





http://www.prosedgesports.com/p-538-clas鈥?/a> - Jackson Classique. These are for beginning skating and will be suitable for basic spins and jumps. However, if you progress fast, then you might want to consider the next boot up (Jackson Freestyle) which will be better for landing jumps.





http://www.shop.kinziescloset.com/produc鈥?/a> - GAM Zenith. I don't know too much about GAM boots, but this website says that these skates will last comfortably until early freestyle levels.





I'm not too sure about Riedell as they have just changed their range of boots, but a good skate fitter should be able to suggest the best boot for you.





If this is your first pair of skates, then you should consider getting yourself hard blade guards (to walk on before getting on the ice) and cloth soakers to store your skates in (they will absorb any remaining moisture left on your blades and stop them from rusting). Skates are usually factory sharpened, so unless the store can sharpen them for you, you should get them sharpened after a couple of sessions (or straight away if you prefer)





Good luck getting your new skates :)|||If you're going to skate in socks, wear socks. As your feet grow, you can switch to tights if the skates get a little snug. If the skates are being heat-molded, you'll be more comfortable in socks and the pressure points can mold better.





Buy rubber guards and ask them to cut them to fit the blades. Some shops will, some won't.


They have to be cut with a sharp workknife and strong hads, which not everyone has.





Wear the rubber guards any time you're wearing your guards off the ice. Leave them at the barrier.


PUT YOUR NAME ON THEM SO THEY DON'T DISAPPEAR! Don't store your skates with them on.





Also buy terrycloth soakers to put on the skates after skating. Dry the skates (blades and boots) well before putting them on - if you have time to let the blades warm up, that's good too.





That's all you need - put the skates, soakers and guards in a bag with a drying rag and you're all set!


Good luck! ;)|||wear tights because the socks are more bulky and the skates will fit to the socks and not your feet but the tights are ur foot shape exactly and not bulky. also you will need a bad to put all your skate stuff. you will need soakers, hard covers, 2 or 3 pairs of tights, and gloves(if u wish).


you will not need a new pair of skates in one year. skates should last 2 to 2.5 years.


good luck :)|||I'm 15 and have been figure skating since i was 6 i'll answer yours if you answer mine


answer mine then i'll answer yours:





http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?鈥?/a>|||Read books about figure skating or speak with a professional expert.|||No, I don't think you will need new skates in a year. It depends on how much you skate and how you break them in. And don't wear thick socks I sometimes wear tights, but i definitely wear tights when I wear a dress or skirt. Also look in to think socks, that's what I have. In learn to skate classes, don't wear thick socks because with new skates, your feet could get blisters. I hope I helped you!!|||You're going to want to wear nylon socks or tights, especially if you're getting the skate molded to your foot (which I recommend), and wear the nylons socks or tights when you skate. If you're getting them molded to your foot shape, you want it to be molded to your foot, not your foot in a sock.


I suggest bringing the nylon socks, however, if you're at a professional store they will most likely have some there you can wear when you try them on, and maybe buy a pair before you leave.


Even if you're just taking lessons, you want to be as comfortable as when you're performing. Even more comfortable, because a lesson is usually 45 minutes or more, and you only perform for a few minutes.


Do you think you're feet are finished growing? If you haven't needed a larger size of footwear for a while, you probably have. Your feet typically finish growing before the rest of you does. I don't think you'll need new skates in 1 year, and if they're getting uncomfortable and you can't afford a new pair, see if you can get them re-molded to your feet.





Are you planning on skating after this competition? That's something to consider, as if the answer is no, you might not want to buy expensive skates.





I personally say wear tights, if you're cold, wear warm pants/legwarmers over top. Your feet do not generally get cold.





Hope this helps!