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Skate sharpening is almost an art form, definitely a practiced skill. I recall the original movie, "Ice Castles," with the crusty old hockey sharpener guy providing an Olympic quality sharpening of advanced figure skate blades after a few moments of sparks and no consideration of hollow or even edges. Must be magic sparks, but then those movies are not exactly realistic. Test sessions are not executed in spot lights, you can't advance from pre-preliminary to Senior with one program containing a single salchow performed in an ice show, nor will anyone let you compete with one figure skate and one...

Inspiration to experience figure skating may come from being invited to a birthday party at the local ice rink, watching a Disney prince or princess spin and jump in a “Disney on Ice” production or from viewing a televised figure skating competition. Then, one chilly day, your youngster decides that becoming an ice skater is the best idea ever! Before you dig through the basement for cousin Susie’s old double runner skates and send your child onto the ice, let’s look at the ABC’s of knowing whether or not your child is ready for skating. A is for Age. Children...

Now that you have decided that ice skating is a viable option for your child, what are your next steps in providing them (and you) a great ice-experience? Talk First, Lessons later. Sit your potential skater down and ask a few pertinent questions. The following are a good start: Why do you want to skate? Answers can be anything from “it looks like fun” or “my friend skates” to “I want to look like Elsa and be an ice princess.” Movies over the years, like “Ice Castles” and “Frozen,” have inspired so many children to try skating. Many take that...

With the figure skating qualifying season upon us, and holiday show season peeking out from the suddenly-appearing aisles of holiday decorations at Target, there are few things more annoying than getting a rip in newly-purchased tights. You know the drill: It’s right before the first competition and suddenly, you see a huge run creeping its way above the skate cuff. Over-the-boot tights are the worst because they are closer to those weapons of tight destruction commonly referred to as skate blades. Never fear, there are ways to help preserve the life of even OTB tights.