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Easy Figure Skate Maintenance Tips
Taking care of your figure skates prolongs their life, saves you money and improves your overall mobility and performance while on the ice.
Here’s some tips to help you maintain your skates
Blade Maintenance
Keep your figure skate blades sharp but not too sharp. A sharp blade grabs the ice better than a dull one. Make sure you sharpen your skates properly. Figure skates require a professional sharpening to give them the correct “edge”.
Never walk on the ground or floor with just your skate blades. Instead, always use a skate guard when you’re off the ice. If you absolutely can’t wear guards, walk on the toe picks instead of the delicate edges.
Always dry your figure skate blades thoroughly after skating. Rust is the biggest killer of blades. Each time, before you slip on your skate guards, slide your fingers (carefully) along both sides of the blade to remove the “snow,” and when you’re finished skating for the day, take your skates off and dry them with a towel. Be sure to dry both the blades and the mounting surfaces. If you have time, it is a good idea to let them sit for a couple minutes and then wipe them down again.
After drying your skates thoroughly, cover and store the blades inside of towel-like soakers. These help draw off any remaining moisture and provide a cushion for your blades inside your bag. Do not leave or store blades inside of plastic or rubber skate guards. They hold moisture and almost guarantee rust.
Keep your skate guards clean. Wipe out the insides of your guards so no grit or grime builds up over time. If your guards or soakers wear out (get thin spots or holes in the bottom) replace them right away. They won’t help you protect your blades if they’re run down or broken.
Boot Maintenance
Be aware that the leather of your ice skate boots is just as susceptible to water damage as your blades are. Polish figure skating boots on a regular basis to keep them water-resistant.
Open up the boots a bit so they can air out after each skating session. Loosen the laces as far down as you can and pull up the tongue to let the boot breathe. Remember to replace the insoles with new ones if your skates begin to smell.
Figure Skate Mount Maintenance
It’s also important to maintain the proper tightness of the screws that secure your blade to the boot. They loosen over time, which can be dangerous for skating. Have an experienced figure skate technician mount blades and replace screws when necessary.
Laces Maintenance
It’s important to use the right length of lace in your skates. Laces that are too long can become a hazard if they drag on the ice. However, if they are too short, you won’t be able to properly tie up your skates. Replace broken figure skate laces on a regular basis. It’s always a good idea to keep a few spare pairs in your skate bag.
Caring For Christmas Trees
Christmas Trees are a Long Time Symbol of the Christmas Season
Improperly cared for Christmas trees are unlikely to make it through the entire holiday season. Properly cared for fresh cut Christmas trees, on the other hand, can last several weeks.
First and foremost, the key to long-lasting Christmas trees is to give them plenty of water. Many people have developed outlandish concoctions for Christmas trees, ranging from mixing things such as bleach, sugar, syrup, 7-up or vodka in the water. Research has shown, however, that plain water is the best bet for caring for Christmas trees. Furthermore, the water doesn’t have to be distilled or bottled or fancy in any way. Tap water is just fine.
To further ensure the longevity of Christmas trees, it is helpful to make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk. This cut should be straight and made about an inch from the end of the trunk and the tree should be placed in water quickly. This cut helps Christmas trees better absorb water from within the tree stand.
If the tree is not to be put up right away, it is still a good idea to cut the trunk of the tree and place it in a bucket of water. The tree should then be stored in a shady, protected area that is unheated. When the time comes to set the tree up, the end of the tree should be cut once again to further aid in water absorption.
The type of tree stand used with Christmas trees is also important in their ability to last. For most Christmas trees, the water reservoir should hold at least a gallon of water, but the more water the better. Keep in mind that freshly cut Christmas trees will absorb up to one full gallon of water, or even more, in the first 24 hours after a new cut is made. They will continue to absorb one or more quarts each day, depending on the room temperature and the amount of lights and other decorations on the tree.
Recognizing Christmas Trees that are Drying Out
One of the surest signs that Christmas trees are beginning to dry out is water absorption. For a tree that is drying out, water use substantially slows down or stops altogether. The needles of Christmas trees that are not watered regularly will dry and fall off as the tree dries. In addition, the boughs will droop and the tree will lose its fragrance. Trees kept near TV’s, fireplaces, air ducts, and radiators have a tendency to dry more quickly.
It is also important to keep Christmas trees watered because a dried sap seal will form over the end of them within four to 6 hours after the water drops below the base of the tree. This makes it impossible for the trees to absorb water, even after the reservoir is refilled. This problem can be remedied by cutting the bottom of the tree once again, but this is difficult to do with a tree that has already been decorated.
The Board of Directors, Coaches and Volunteers of the Peterborough Figure Skating Club wish all our skaters, parents and fans a very Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
PFSC Apparel Now Available to Order
Show your PFSC Club Pride by wearing Our Custom Clothing this Winter!
We are very excited to be able to offer our members some unique apparel pieces this season with customized PFSC embroidery.
Click the order form below to download a copy for yourself, print it out and fill in your information, along with the clothing piece(s) you want to order.
Orders will be taken during skating on Wednesday, November 29th from approximately 6pm to 9pm, and again on Monday, December 4th, and Wednesday, December 6th, 2017.
NOTE: Payment for all orders is due when your completed order form is handed in at one of these sessions.
All apparel and custom embroidery are supplied by Embroidery Plus, Peterborough Ontario.
Click Here to download the Order Form:
How To Wear A Hawaiian Shirt With Confidence
Wearing Beautiful Hawaiian Shirts Give you a Nice Look, and an Exotic Feel
Don’t wear them like ordinary clothing however. There are certain styles and steps on how to wear them with confidence. Made from cotton and silk, the eye-catching, colourfully designed Hawaiian Shirts are very attractive and comfortable. Some people might want to wear them all the time.
Hawaiian shirts are unique and that made them very popular all over the world. Vintage Hawaiian shirts are comfortable, more than the rayon ones. Some Hawaiian shirt lovers would really dig in all places just to get one. They would even buy vintage Hawaiian shirts because they are less expensive and sometimes, the colour and design of vintage shirts cannot be found in the malls.
The first step to wearing your Hawaiian Shirt with confidence is by wearing it casually. Let your shirt hang loosely, don’t tuck it in, it will look better that way, and is much more comfortable.
If you are fond of wearing accessories, minimize them so they don’t take away from the impact of the shirt. If you’re in a festive mood, top your look off with a straw hat.
Beautifully designed Hawaiian shirts with flowers, tropical fish, and surf scenes are best when worn with neutral coloured pants, shorts, or skirts. Try to avoid mixing your shirt with patterns, it might be overkill. Khakis are a good choice because they neutralize the background of your shirt.
If you are going out dressed in your Hawaiian shirt, you may want to consider the event, or your surroundings. Of course you wouldn’t want your shirt to harm anyone; some people are very sensitive to colours and bold prints. When buying Hawaiian shirts, you may want to choose the ones that don’t have too much contrast because they may not be pleasing to other people, and some may even think you’re just out to grab attention.
If you are dressed in your best Hawaiian shirt, the most important thing to remember is to be comfortable and be yourself. You will feel fresh, free, and relaxed. Wear your shirt like you have never worn it before; be bold and proud that you are wearing a Hawaiian shirt.
Don’t Forget: The PFSC Hawaiian Night is being held on November 29th!
