How to Dress For the Ice
Skating Rink
When you are dressing your child for ice skating lessons or free skating
at the ice rink, your first challenge will be keeping you child warm,
but not overheated.
Keeping Your Child Warm and Safe on the Ice
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Ice skaters will be exercising strenuously, so it is
important to dress your child in thin layers that can be removed easily
as their bodies warm up. Avoid dressing your child in a bulky winter
coat, as heavy coats make it difficult to move freely. A warm turtleneck
under a warm, close-fitting sweater will keep your child warmer than a
winter coat, and will permit free movement.
Many girls want to wear a skating dress. If you plan to have your
daughter take lessons, then a simple skating dress and tights may be a
good investment. However, if she is simply going to skate recreationally
now and then, this might not be an investment you want to make.
Close fitting sweat pants or zipped wind pants are good choices for both
boys and girls. Jeans do not have much ability to stretch, they easily
absorb moisture, and they are very slow to dry, which makes them a less
optimum choice for skating.
One of the most important parts of your skater's wardrobe should be a
comfortable pair of thin, seamless socks. A sock with seams can rub
against the foot and cause blisters. Because skate boots are designed to
be tight, thick socks can squeeze the foot and reduce circulation, which
will make your child's feet feel cold more quickly.
If you child will be renting ice skates, bring along a thicker pair of
socks to wear over the thin pair to provide extra padding in case the
rented rink skates don't fit perfectly or are well-worn.
For several reasons skaters should always wear gloves. Gloves obviously
will keep a skater's hands warm. They also provide some protection in
case of a fall on the ice or if another skater runs into a child who has
fallen.
A warm wool hat will keep your skater's head and ears warm. Avoid any
head covering that could impair your skater's vision. However, you
should give some serious thought to insisting that your beginning skater
wear an
ice skating helmet. "Hoodies" or parka hoods should always be
avoided.
For the same reason, skaters should never wear scarves, which can
obstruct vision or catch a skate. Many rinks prohibit any kind of scarf
on the ice.
Girls should always have their hair pulled back or restrained, so that
it cannot get into the eyes.
Avoid letting your skater wear jewelry. Most rinks prohibit any kind of
jewelry, which can break and fall onto the ice and trip another skater.
And finally a note to parents of boys: Boys will be extremely
uncomfortable if they are asked to wear white skates. If you have
inherited a pair of white skates that fit your boy, either dye them
black (black shoe polish will also work, but it can be messy), or cover
them with black skate covers. Your son will skate much more confidently
if he "fits in" with the other boys at the rink.
If your child will be taking ice skating lessons, you can observe what
the other students are wearing before the first lesson and talk to the
coach about appropriate clothing for lessons.
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