PreCanskate and CanSkate Clothing and Equipment
A detailed description of how to fit skates is located on the Learn to Skate page.
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Basic Requirements
- CSA approved skating helmet ( bike helmets are not permitted)
- figure skates or hockey skates
- mittens or gloves must be worn
- warm pants
- snow pants are good for new skaters
- avoid long hanging scarves, strings or very bulky clothing
Skates
- Firm ankle support Laces and hooks, not buckles
- proper fit
- Good quality leather (no plastic)
- NO BOBSKATES or SKATE TRAINERS
Helmets
- CSA approved skating helmet
- bike helmets are not permitted
- Face guard or face cages attached to the helmet are required for PreCanskate
- face cages are not required for Canskate but highly recommended for beginners to wear
PrePower Equipment
Full hockey equipment and hockey stick is required for our PrePower program.
Not sure what that that might be?
- Skates
- Hockey stick
- Helmet with full cage
- Jock (or jill for girls)
- Shin pads
- Hockey Pants
- Shoulder Pads
- Elbow Pads
- Neck Guard
- Hockey Gloves
- Jersey
- Hockey socks
- Mouth guard
Canadian Tire and other sport retailers offer kits that include all youth protective pads for roughly $130, then you just need a stick, helmet and skates. Many retailers offer slightly used equipment for even better deals.
PreStar and StarSkate - Star 1
Clothing and Equipment
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Skates
- properly fitted figure skates should be worn at this level
- many skaters go to figure skating specialty stores to buy skates (links below)
- used figure skates may offer better quality than newly purchased recreational skates
- check with a coach to see if current skates are appropriate
Clothing
- many skaters will be wearing a helmet at this level
- skaters also wear protective headbands when no longer required to wear a helmet and certain levels have been obtained
- clothing should be warm, comfortable and not restrict movement
- You may wear skating dresses, skirts or sweat suit bottoms, or stretch pants.
- these may be worn with warm tights, sweatshirts, sweaters, or jackets
- Gloves or mittens are important
- Hair should ALWAYS be kept neatly away from the face.
StarSkate Star 2-10
Clothing and Equipment
Scroll down for Where To buy
Skates
- properly fitted figure skates
- many skaters go to figure skating specialty stores to buy skates (links below)
- used figure skates may offer better quality than newly purchased recreational skates
- check with a coach to see if current skates are appropriate
Clothing
- clothing should be warm, comfortable and not restrict movement
- skating dresses, skirts or sweat suit bottoms, or stretch pants.
- these may be worn with warm tights, sweatshirts, sweaters, or jackets
- Gloves or mittens are important
- Hair should ALWAYS be kept neatly away from the face.
Where to Buy
>Pre-Canskate, CanSkate and Pre-Power
Items for these programs can be found at many retailers in the area, including Canadian Tire, Walmart and Sport Check. Good used equipment resellers are Play It Again Sports ( Milton) or Endzone Sports Exchange ( 68 Main St N Georgetown). Many of these retailers also do skate sharpening for hockey skates. For figure skates, it is best to visit a sharpening service that specializes in figure skates. Many of the stores listed below sharpen figure skates.
>Figure Skating - Links to GTA Retailers
Listed below are a number of retailers in the area that sell figure skating skates and apparel. Many listed below also do figure skate sharpening. Some require appointments for skate fittings, so be sure to call ahead to check hours and availability.
A wide variety of skates, clothing and other skating related items as well as sharpening. The largest figure skating store in the area. Book appointments for skate fittings online.
Located in Markham
A wide variety of skates, clothing and other skating related items as well as sharpening
Located in Burlington
A wide variety of skates, clothing and other skating related items as well as sharpening
Locations in Oakville, Burlington, Richmond Hill
Skate Sharpening only ** please note that figure skates are only done Mon-Fri, (no weekends, must drop off and pick up later) and you must specify that you have figure skates to be sharpened
Located in Milton
Caring for your Skates
- skate blades and boots should be thoroughly dried with an absorbent cloth
- skates should not be stored with the guards on
- skates should be sharpened after approximately 20 hours of skating
- sharpen at a specialty figure skating location ( see links) and not at a general retailer or hockey sharpening location
- never have the picks taken off as they are required for specific skills and balance
- do not sharpen immediately prior to a test or competition
