Equipment

Required Safety Equipment

The following safety equipment is mandatory for all skaters to have at any time they are on the ice. While the Try Speed Skating program is a little more lenient on the requirements, once athletes are part of the program they will need to have all of the required safety equipment

Head Protection

A helmet. Ski/snowboard, hockey, or roller sports helmets are all acceptable. Bike helmets cannot be used because the large vents allow skate blades to pass through. Many clubs will have spare helmets for use.

Neck Protection 

A neck guard bib-style. Many clubs will have spare neck guards for use.

Hand Protection

Cut-proof gloves or mittens. Ski mitts or leather gloves are best. Hockey gloves are also acceptable.

Ankle Protection 

Well-fitting, tall socks. Socks that are too short can cause skin irritation and blisters due to friction against the inside of the skates. A cut and puncture-resistant anklet must be worn on both legs, covering the legs from the tops of the boots to 10 cm above the tops of the boots 

Skate Blades

The rear and front tips of all skate blades must be rounded to a minimum radius of 1cm. Skates rented from the club will more than likely already have the blade rounded.

Eye Protection

Shatter-resistant clear glasses or a complete visor are required for all skaters. All glasses must be held in place by a strap (prescription glasses will need to be covered by safety glasses) 

Rest of Body Protection

Comfortable, athletic-style long-sleeve top and pants. A skin suit is not required at the introductory level. As a skater progresses in the sport and begins to compete at national-level competitions, they will require a skin suit with cut-proof material meeting or exceeding ISU standards.

Knee Protection

Knee pads. Soft, volleyball-style pads are preferred, although plastic roller sports pads are also acceptable. If possible, plastic pads should be worn underneath the skater’s pants. Hockey knee/shin pads are acceptable but may limit the skater’s movement. Knee pads that are built into a skin suit are also acceptable. 

Shin Protection 

Shin guards. Hard soccer shin guards are best, but hockey knee/shin pads are also acceptable

Optional Additional Equipment 

While the above is our list of required equipment some skaters have equipment that isn't required

• Elbow Pads; most new skaters will wear these to soften any falls
• Hockey/Figure Skates; any type of skate is ideal for the Learn to Skate program, we do recommend transitioning into speed skates starting after the second half of the first season as we hope all skater begin competing in their second season 

Where to buy

The vast majority of the safety equipment is available to be purchased from Canadian Tire here locally. For cut-proof gloves, we recommend purchasing from Peavy Mart. The club has skin suits available for rental once skaters get to a competitive level. Speed Skating-specific helmets are available for purchase through I Love Speed Skating. Skates are available for rental through the club. These can also be purchased through I Love Speed Skating if so desired to have their own pair of skates