(ITH BONES of ox, elk And reindeer strapped to Mrude footwear, ice skating began in Scandinavia, :00 ears or so before the birth mf Christ. By Tom Bigelow ontributing Writer It wasn’t until the Dutch lashed Mong steel runners to their shoes [sans the reindeer bones) that the sport caught on worldwide. Today’s skating is a far cry Waefrom the slippery sport of esteryear. The equipment is flighter, faster and more durable. BTechniques have evoived too; sthere’s pair skating (which devel- Moped during England’s Victorian Era when it was a disgrace to see ia woman fall), ice dancing, speed skating and mhockey. Ice skating aiso has become the avorite sport of the winter Olympics in a short time. Equipment There are two common types of Meice skates: figure and hockey. iW Figure skates are the type prefer- mired by recreational skaters. They woffer features not. found on Shockey skates such as a higher boot design for greater ankle sup- ‘ a concave, double-edged : improved © mancu- i verability; and toe picks (the jage- B ed edges at the front of the blade) for jumps and spins. The important thing about these © skates is how they fit. Your skates f should be at least one-half size smalier than your shoe size. The me boot should grip your ankle, heel and instep firmly, yet allow your toes to move freely and lie flat. This is true for children as well. S If they don’t fit, they don’t work. Dispense with the thick socks B too. Heavy socks (or more than mae one pair) cause your feet to aa perspire, and they prevent the 1 skates from responding to minor foot movements. Wear thin socks, tights or parityhose, then cover them with leg warmers. Lacing also can affect perfor- mance. Keep the lacing fairly loose in the front of the boot, from the toes to the instep; draw the laces as tight as possible in the middle. eyelets, between the instep and: ankle (here a surgeon’s knot is helpful: wrap one lace around the other twice, then draw tight); and feave the lacing loose again near the top of the boot to pro- vide free lower-leg movement and to avoid cramps. What is on the bottom of the boot matters too. On standard recreational skates, the blade is permanently affixed to the bottom of the boot. Customized boots and blades come separately, allowing skaters to match each piece of equipment to their needs. Contrary to popular opinion, the blade of a figure skate is not flat on the bottom; it’s concave. This hollow grinding creates two distinct edges. Just as the two edges of a ski provide the skier envelope... When you receive our Christmas Appeal letter this year, share what you can. Return your donation in the envelope provided to The Salvation Army, #611-198 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC. V6B 1H2. This Christmas, so many are counting on you to remember...the envelope, please. ) SUPPORT THE i, CHRISTMAS Re. APPEAL with better control, twin-edged blades allow the skater to turn sharply and stop abruptly. “‘When you start to notice drag or that you’re not cutting the ice as smoothly as usual,”’ says Dale Mitch, ‘‘it’s time to sharpen the blades.’” For professional skaters, this can be as often as once a week, Mitch, editor of Skating i (89 DOWNPAYIGENT)°* 1 PER MONTH (FOR 36 MORTHS) YOu GET: Wend ‘ wi24W package, Sunday, November 24, 1991 — North Shore News ~- 29 The ancient, elegant art of ice skating magazine and spokesperson for the U.S. Figure Skating Assccia- tion, says that recreational skates, particularly inexpensive models, lose their edges quickly. If ne- glected, they will be difficult — if not impossible — to sharpen, he says. . . Sharpening is critical too. Im- proper grinding can ruin blades.’ HSUNDANCE- FOR +266" PER MONTH {FOR 36 SGNTHS) YOU GET: Z-door with 22D packsge, iecheding freight © Diver's side asbag . « Axtomatic traesaissi © Kir conditioning and tinted cles © Sspeaker sterre system © Gold Key bempcr-to-bemper coverage (See below) Take your skates to a specialized sporting goods store or ice rink for sharpening. Buying Skates Ice rinks also are the recom- mended place to buy skates. You will almost always get better equipment and a better fit than az retail stores. Like most skating coaches, Jim Wagner of Ohio State University reconimends that beginners rent skates the first few times. “And I suggest not buying skates for a child unless they’re really interested in skating,”’ he says. it’s cheaper to rent. Expect te pay up to $75 for a used pair of adult recreational leather skates. A new pair costs $75 to $200. Plastic boots are available for $30 to $40, but Wagner does not generally recommend them, as they do not offer the fit or quality of a leather boot. You'll have no problem deciding on color: Recreational skates are typically available only in traditional black or white. ‘‘As a recreational sport, figure skating is fairly inexpcnsive,"’ says Wagner. In the not-too-distant future “there are likely to be changes in how the blade attaches to the boot,” says Mitch, ‘“‘and dif- ferences in the height, design and structure of the boot.’* Ceramic blades also are being considered by skate makers. Nonetheless, there remains classical beauty and grace to the sport that even the recreational skater can enjoy without slipping into the poorhouse. Skating is a lifelong sport; there are no age barriers. So as you take to the ice for the first or 50th time, as you glide across the ponds, rivers and rinks like the generations of skaters before you, may St. Lydwina — the patron saint of skaters — be with you. Reprinted with permission from Winter Living. Distributed by Los Angeles Times Syndicate. FOR *346° (NO DOWRPAYMENT)°* PER MONTH (FOR 36 MONTHS) Y a ‘Tit steering and raise contre! © Gold Key hemper-to-bumper coverage (See beten) $750 CASH BACK cr 8.9% FINANCING OAC * Monthy rate set out is for a 36-montn term with no downpayment and is based on MSRP ot vehicle with options described and special bumper-to-bumper contract coverage. Subject 10 approval by Chrysler Credit Canada ttd. In effect from November 1.1991, util such time as terminated. Security deposits required as follows: Caravan/Voyager $450; Sundance/Shadow $275; Dynasty $425; Spirit/Acclaim $350; Jeep Cherokee $525. Leases are tor personal use. Commercial vehicles are excluded. Ofter may not be combined with other offer currently available trom Chrysler Canada. ** Downpayment may be requited and would reduce monthly payments, This is a ciossd end lease with no buyback requirement. Monihly payments exclude licence, insurance, registration, taxes Delivery must be taken trom dealer inventory. Dealer may lease for less. tLessee is responsible for charges {ike parking fines, abnormal wear and tear, as well as mileage in excess of 75,000 km at the rate of $.06/kiiometre. IW STOCK NOW!