First Timers

        Over the past few years of working at my local ice rink, I've noticed a thing or two about what happens to people when they skate for the first time. Formerly coordinated adults become clumsy and stiff, clinging onto the walls for dear life. Teenagers become speed demons, competing with their friends for who can be the most obnoxious. And normally composed childeren turn into terrified crying machines. Rightfully so, too. How often do you have something as reliable as a solid surface to stand on taken away? Almost never. So stepping onto the ice for the first time can be nerve wracking to say the least. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here are a few tips to make sure your first time on the ice is as smooth as, well, ice.

Skates
         Make sure they fit properly. They should be snug without being constricting, and there should be enough room at the end to wiggle your toes. Tie them up all the way, too. It's hard enough to balance on a skinny blade for the first time without the added challenge of no anke support. Oh, and double knot them, because they're almost guaranteed to come untied at some point. Stay away from the velcro ones if you can- most rental skates are at least a few years old, and the velcro will almost definitely be past its prime.

Socks
        Please wear them. I occasionally work behind the skate counter, and although we try to spray all of them with Lysol, some invariably get missed. Socks will also help to prevent painful blisters. Make sure they are long enough to go higher than the boots- that will definitely help in the blisters department.

Walkers
        Don't even get me started on them.... Although they may teach children how to do funky dance moves, (from sliding off of their toepicks because they're leaning into the walker for dear life) it does not teach them how to skate. Also, once they get used to the walkers, they become reluctant to try to skate on their own. And the simple act of getting out of the way of the walker so that they can skate by themselves requires them to either turn around in a tight circle or skate backwards- both fairly advances skills. Finally, when they fall, they can get trapped by the walkers, which obviously makes it quite difficult to get up. A few weeks back, there was a young boy at the rink who had a walker pole literally stuck between the boot and the blade of his skates. Whenever he tried to stand up again, his ankle would twist in painful-looking ways and he would have to sit down again. So please, hold their hands or help them to skate by themselves, but don't use the walkers.

Helmets
        Leave your dignity in the car and bring a helmet to the rink. Especially for the little ones. Some rinks will rent you helmets, but it's easier just to bring your own. Make sure it's properly adjusted, too. A helmet that falls off the second you fall does no good.

Gloves
        Highly recommended. Makes falling so much less unpleasant. Not to mention that they keep your hands warm. News Flash- you're going to an ice rink. Emphasis on the word "ice."

The Basics
        March. That's all there is to it. Okay, maybe it's a little more challenging in practice, but still....
Bent knees, arms out to the side, head up. Pick your knees straight up. Try not to flail around or have your arms to high, as it will knock you off balance. If you do fall, go onto all fours before you try to get up, otherwise you'll be sliding around like an idiot for a good few minutes. Just trust me on this one....
       
Good luck and happy skating!
=D