ok, I have just registered both my boys with beginner classes for ice-skating, starting in Sep all the way through until March. They are 4 and 5 years.
Now I'm wondering if this is too early for them to start!
Neither my dh nor I can skate, coming from a country that has never seen snow!
But we think, when in Canada, do as the Canadians do, right?
So is it a good idea to teach them to skate, even if us parents won't ever be on the ice with them in the future?
Does everyone do it?
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I don't see any skates at CT for cheaper than the $40 ones you posted. Even the kiddies ones are $60 or more. Now I need to use this :eek:
oh yea...i'm talkin' about like $20 skates...they're horrible for them...at their age you could get away with a pair of CT skates for them...but only for a lil while...once they get into it more and get better at it ...then you gotta watch...first year something like that should be ok
oh, I can afford $40 a pair, shoo. I was expecting more. So that means there are cheaper options that are ok too?
try a pair like these...they're gonna run you about $40 a pair tho
ok, I know nothing about skating! What boots am I supposed to look for?
I don't want to spend mega bucks, as their feet grow so fast. The skates will only fit for one season.
oh and whatever you do...please please please....DO NOT BUY SKATES LIKE THESE!!!
they may look like they are good support for them...but you will never get them tight enough around their ankles and the clips have a tendency to come undone...which could harm their lil ankles...and not to mention that those skates drive us coaches insane...lol...it's a pain when we have to keep stopping our lessons to tighten a half a dozen lil feet with these skates...lol...good GAWD i miss being on the ice...lol...i ended up teaching the dances...but teaching kids your boys age is so much fun...but can you believe that i can't teach my boys...i get to frustrated with them...cuz i almost feel like they should know what they are doing..yes i'm a coach and i pay for someone else to coach them....LOL
Cat becareful with second hand skates...only cuz skates should mold to your own feet...and well chances are that second hand skates are molded to someone elses feet...it makes a huge difference...i wouldn't say go out and spend $400 on a pair of custom skates like i have...not til they're older and yu know that this is something that they are gonna continue with...
Another bonus from learning how to skate is (my 3 kids had figure skating lessons) is............Roller blading in the summer! My dd can roller blade like no buddy's business! All because of knowing how to ice skate!
I didn't even know Can. Tire sold skates. Insert 'dork' icon here :D Or just very green, lol
I am hoping the sports/skating store nearby still has some second hand skates in their sizes. Holding thumbs.
the blades warp and they zinc in them i believe ....the last pair ds had needed to be sharpened after 3 skates...you lil won't but for ds who skates either practices or games 4 sometimes 5 nites a week...it can get costly...so it's one of those things...pay it now or pay it later
So right DS has a skate sharpening business and he claims you can tell the CT skates by the way they sharpen. Good equipment may not make the player but loosy equipment will hurt the player.
It is a good idea to provide skating lessons, even if they won't be playing ice hockey or doing any figure skating. My kids' school often has skate party events, and sometimes too the kids are invited to birthday parties at the skating rink. Besides, it's easier to learn when small because the fall is not as great as when you are older.
the boot themselves might be good...but the blades from the skates at Canadian Tire suck..
Skating and Hockey my 2 favourite things yours are not to young mine started before they were 2 by the time they were 3 they were playing hockey and love it still. Their lives have all been about hockey and gave them many years of education from it. Like Jen said pad them up so they won't get hurt and let them go at it. Lessons is the best way to go and buy good skates you can get second hand helmets but the skates must be good go to a store that specializes in skates and get them fitted properly. Don't buy from Canadian Tire even if they are the same brand name they are a cheaper quality and if they don't fit right or have the right support the boys won't have any fun. Also don't buy them big so they can grow into them it just won't happen and their feet will get cold and they will hate it.
Both my son's started playing hockey at 5.............Timbit hockey........................some kids couldn't even skate...my husband was the coach and the first few months...they just have practices...no games....to teach the kids how to skate................. :D ..its not too early....I took my 3 year old on the ice last March...though she insisted...she kept falling down...but at least she was determined to skate like her brothers...I am going to put her in the Skaters First program in Aurora this winter..............
Nope, not too early at all. I was on skates (recreational) at 3 and had a blast! Your kids will love it! It may peek their interest into HOCKEY!!!!!! You will be a hockey mom before you know it :)
Thanks everyone, Sign up here is on Sept 14th, I am sure I will get notification through her school, about this. I am so excited to get her signed up.
You're supposed to making me feel better about spending $440 on classes, never mind the gear I still have to get, not telling me how you gave it up! :cry: :D
condo, this may be the online version of the paper...
[url]http://www.toronto.ca/parks/torontofun/index.htm#View[/url]
edit: oops, beaten to it :P :cool:
They are probably reasonable with late registrations, they also do similar programs in the new year in case you miss anything.
i've been figure skating since i was 3...gave it up for a lil while in junior high...then started up again in high school...went to Seneca College Newham Campus and got my NCCP level 1 certification in Theory and Practical...don't do it as much as i'd like to anymore but such is life
when I was 5 !!!!! Aunt was instructor, uncle (Her husband) did Icecapades or the UK equivalent in the '50s, mom and pop met at the rink, and we shared a back wall with the rink, so it was VERY handy !
Then we moved, and ice skating was over (I also got a little brother about the same time lol)
Not sure about Toronto, but surely you get those thick Community Activity and Service Guide booklets? Registration is Aug 31 where I am. Better move fast.
Try this link, but the book is available too, free of charge
[url]http://www.toronto.ca/parks/torontofun/index.htm[/url]
Hi condo,
In those program papers / booklets (they're like a fullsheet newspaper) that they offer for the seasonal programs. They have all of the city courses like arts & crafts as well as other activities, I think you can find these things at your local civic or town centre. City Hall or Metro Hall (55 John St.) ought to have them readily available.
I paid for 7 out of 9 weeks, having missed the first two weeks, and it was approx $45 I think - this was a few years ago, 2004 I think.
I skated when I was a kid, both figure skating and just plain old skating at the rink in the local park. Once I grew up I gave it up... I wasn't all that good at figure skating and I HATE being out in the cold!!! Having said that I sent all three of my kids for skating and skiing lessons. ( I don't ski either) They all love it and it gives them things to do with their friends outside in the winter (while they are still young ;-) ) BTW 4 and 5 are just the right age. They don't have so far to fall, and if they do, they won't be too embarassed as everyone else falls at that age, too. If you waited until they are older they might get a little too self conscious. I think Wayne Gretsky was on skates at the age of 2....
nope not to early...not at all..and it doesn't matter that you can't skate...my parents can't skate....the earlier the better...just make sure they have a helmet...elbow pads...and a good pair of skates...and let'em go!!!....make sure you take your camera with you cuz the first time is gonna be hilarious...if they take 3 steps without fallen...then they're wayyyyyyyyyyyyy a head of the game...btw...i started when i was 3
Phil, where did you find the info on the city of TO skating program, I would like to get my DD in lessons this winter, so any info would be great.
I couldn't skate when I came here either, but I figure as soon as a child can walk, they can learn to skate (and with the proper skates too, not the two-blade things) - as they're young enough and new enough to walking to just get into the hang of it anyways.
I personally think it's a good idea to do it early and keep it up, that way they'll always have a good foundation if they wish to continue skating as a teen/young adult/adult.
I'm planning on sending my little one off this season, and to also do some more beginner courses myself (the city of Toronto has a reasonably priced program available) to keep on at it.
I hear jenjen is quite the master of the skates, though, perhaps she can offer some expertise :)