Ice Skates, Figure Skates, Figure Ice Skating, Ice Figure Skates

Figure ice skating in its current form emerged in the middle of the nineteenth century. With figure ice skating, individuals, groups or couples perform challenging, and intricate moves on ice skates. These include spins, jumps and other fancy footwork.

Skaters take part in figure ice skating competitions at all sorts of levels – from local to international. Figure ice skating is a Winter Olympics event, where its elegance attracts large numbers of spectators. The International Skating Union oversees major international figure ice skating competitions. Along with the Olympics, other main events include the World Championships and the ISU Grand Prix.

Figure ice skating may have originated in European countries, but it is enjoyed the world over. Currently, it is undergoing major expansion in many East Asian countries. However, only countries which belong to the International Skating Union can compete in figure skating events in the Olympic Games.

Above all, there is a strong element of showbiz to figure ice skating, with many performers donning their figure skates for one of the many exhibitions and shows which run throughout the year.

There are so many jumps turns, spins and disciplines within figure ice skating that it can take a while to get to know them all. It’s a whole new vocabulary!

Figure Skates
Ice figure skates are different from hockey and other kinds of ice skates. Figure skates differ most visibly from other ice skates by having a set of jagged teeth known as toe picks (or toe rakes) on the front of the blade of the ice figure skates. These are used mainly in jumping. Blades on ice figure skates are mounted to the sole and heel of the boot with screws. Typically, those who do figure ice skating at a high level are professionally fitted for their ice skates.

Ice figure skates are often made of tight leather, designed to give extra support to the ankle. These ice skates allow for the intricate and elegant moves of figure ice skating.

Ice dancing is a form of figure ice skating, and ice skates for this discipline are about an inch shorter in the rear than ice figure skates worn by skaters of different disciplines, to allow for the intricate footwork and close partnering in dance.

Hard plastic skate guards on figure skates are a good idea when the figure skater has to walk in their ice figure skates when not on the ice. The guard protects the blade from dirt or material which could damage it. Soft blade covers called soakers can be used to soak up condensation and protect the blades of the figure skates from rust when the ice skates are not being worn.

Choosing Your Figure Skates
If you’re new to figure skating, it probably isn’t worth shelling out a fortune on ice figure skates until you know you want to take the activity seriously. But at the same time, you won’t want to have a truly inferior pair of ice skates. The same is true if you’re buying figure skates for your children for the first time – you want them to be comfortable and for the skates to perform well, but you’ll want to keep costs low while they’re trying out figure ice skating.

Luckily, there are many makes of figure skates around for new figure skaters. In recent years, entry level ice figure skates have been made with a comfortable, soft boot. Leather and vinyl figure skates are suitable to skaters new to figure skating. Perhaps the soft boot on these ice figure skates is not ideal for those at intermediate or advanced level in figure ice skating, however these ice skates are an excellent choice for the recreational skater who just wants to have fun on the ice.

For new and intermediate skaters, ice figure skates combination package of boots and blades are another option. But, novice or not, it’s still an option to buy boots and blades separately if you prefer, indeed, until recently, that’s how most people bought figure skates.

But, whatever figure skates you go for, the boots of the ice skates should be stiff enough to support feet and ankles support, but flexible enough to break in and feel comfortable.

Your foot must fit in the boot of the ice figure skates, and there should be no extra room, particularly in the heel. The best way to think of it is that the boot of your ice skates should fit like a glove. But be prepared that the boots of your figure skates may hurt for a short while just at first, until you have broken your ice figure skates in.

Really the best thing you can do when buying any new ice skates is to go somewhere highly specialised.

Skates.co.uk is one such provider, with an amazing range of ice skates, including figure skates, all under one virtual roof. And we’re adding new lines all the time. So, if you’re considering taking up figure ice skating, make us your first, if not your only, port of call.

All our ice skates come directly from the factory, where they are made to the highest possible standards. Our ice figure skates are all brand new, meaning you won’t have any of the problems sometimes associated with second-hand figure skates. What this does mean, though, is that the blades on any ice figure skates you buy from us will need sharpening first, before you do any figure ice skating in them. Don’t worry, though, the rink will gladly sharpen your figure skates for you.

There are many benefits to buying your ice figure skates from us at Skates.Co.Uk. We’re specialists, so, when it comes to ice skates, there’s not much we don’t know about them. We are a family business with a genuine desire to serve our customers well, strong customer support provision and an excellent refunds and exchanges scheme.

You may not have thought about buying skates online before, but check out the great deals and extensive ranges we have on offer and you may well be forced to think again!

Log on today. We promise we won’t have you skating on thin ice.

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