The Ice Skating Boot and Blade

Ugg Boots are a craze everywhere and for any discerning boot-lover, buying the ultimate boots is about buying these fantastically comfortable, unique-looking and long-lasting footwear, here to buy online Ugg boots. It can be tricky for a beginning skater to stay balanced in a skating boot on a very thin blade. The boot may feel more like some type of torture device rather than a honed piece of equipment. Skating boots and blades are the main pieces of equipment used for skating and the most important. The old saying that “you are only good as your equipment” is very true. It’s much better to skate to your equipment’s capabilities than trying to outskate your skates!

It won’t take you long to realize that it is vital to invest in a good boot and blade. Rental equipment is often not the best to learn in, and really doesn’t support your foot properly. It is common for beginning skaters to get discouraged simply because a pair of rental skating boots don’t fit right. Skaters leave the ice thinking that they can’t learn this sport, when really it may have just been faulty equipment.

When I first started skating, I didn’t entirely understand this concept. Buying my first pair of boots was quite the learning experience. After looking at all of the options in the skate shop and trying on several, I decided on a used pair of Harlicks with blades. They were in good condition, less expensive than a brand new pair and fit my foot really well. What a difference compared to the rental skates!

I learned a few other things that day: I had no idea that boots and blades are actually separate pieces of equipment. While a few manufacturers put them together, most do not. Another thing- there are so many options!-While it was a bit overwhelming, the skate shop employees were very helpful and informed. There are maybe 10 boot manufacturers that most skaters tend to use, such as Riedell, Jackson, Risport, GAM, Klingbeil, and Edea.

Some resources I would recommend that will help you research some of the brands are:

• kinziescloset where they have good information about skating boots
• usfigureskating where they have a skating boot comparison chart

The important thing to remember when selecting a boot is to focus on a few key areas of the boot– the toe box, the heel and the ankle. The toe box is the area where all your toes sit. Your toes should be able to move up and down. Your toes should not feel cramped or feel like they are pushing against the end of the boot. Your heel should fit snuggly into the back of the boot and should not slip around. And, there’s the ankle, which should feel secure but able to bend in the boot when needed. Overall, the boot needs to feel comfortable. If you feel it pinching in any way, try again.

The two most common brands that beginning skaters start in are the Riedell and Jackson boot. The Riedell brand offers a neat feature where once the boots are fitted to a skater, they are actually taken off and placed in an oven that looks like a microwave. This warms the lining so that it can mold to the foot. I always thought this was such a cool concept! Jackson may do this now too, but both are great starter boots. And, they both have a series of boots that come with blades.

Once you select a boot that feels good on your foot, there are four basic things to consider as to the proper thickness or strength of the boot: 1) your height and weight, 2) how often you skate, 3) your skating level and 4) your foot width. Your height and weight– as an adult skater, depending on your height and weight, you may put more leverage on a boot and will need something a little stronger. Also, since adults don’t grow out of their skates, you want to select a strength level that lasts a little longer than the average skate. So, be sure to ask the person fitting your skates for appropriate strength based upon these factors.

How often you skate– if, as a beginner, you only skate during your lesson and one other time during the week, then your boots will last longer and you won’t need to consider the strength of the boot as much. If you skate more frequently, then they will wear faster, and you may need a boot with a little more strength to it. When I first returned to skating as an adult, I skated 3-4 times a week! As you can imagine, this broke down my skates quickly, and I needed a new pair of skates within the year. So, moving up one strength level can help with this.

Your skating level-if you are just learning, it is unlikely that you are already jumping and spinning, which puts a lot of extra pressure on the boots. As you progress and perform more challenging moves, the stronger your boots will need to be to support the activity. As an example, toward the end of my competition years, I would purchase boots with a dual bond, which is double the leather to support my jumps and spins. While I only performed double jumps and double combinations, there are skaters doing triple jumps who need an even stronger boot.

Your foot width-this is a factor just like when trying on regular everyday shoes. Every pair fits your foot differently. As an example, I started with a used pair of Harlick skates that fit the width of my foot perfectly. Then, when I bought my first pair of new skates, I was talked in to buying a pair of S.P. Terris, which tend to fit wider feet. Those boots just about ruined my feet. S.P. Terris are not bad boots, they were just bad for my feet. I immediately went back to Harlicks and my feet were much happier! (As a side note, you may want to consider asking about used skates at the skate shop. While they may not present them to you as an option, they all have them!)

Once you progress in your skating, you can (and probably should) move up to a custom boot. What’s great about custom boots is that the skate shop actually traces your foot, takes your foot measurements and sends your personal specs to the boot manufacturer. You can order different types of lining, padding and channeling that make the boots more comfortable. When they come back, they fit you almost perfectly-like a glove. The reason I say almost is that sometimes the boots need a bit of tweaking, but mostly they fit well on the first try. Custom boots reduce the break-in period and feel amazing! While the cost of a custom boot is more, if you are spending a lot of hours in your boots the cost is well worth it!

For all you creative souls out there, another bonus in purchasing custom boots is that you can order them in all different colors and patterns! I took full advantage of this option. Over the course of my skating career, I had tan boots, aqua blue, purple and blue marbled, gold, silver and now I have a beautiful bronze pair with a rose pattern imprinted in the leather. I had so much fun in selecting the colors!

Now let’s talk about the other important piece of skating equipment- the blades. There are less manufacturers of blades than boots. A few of the main blade manufacturers are Wilson, Paramount, MK, Ultima and Eclipse.

Skate blades are often made of carbon steel and coated with high-quality chrome. Lightweight aluminum and stainless steel blades are becoming more common also. Blades are about 3/16 inch thick and may have a variation on how they taper. They come in either a 7 or 8 foot radius. Radius refers to the curvature of the blade. A radius of an 8 foot blade is less curved, or flatter, and will give you more speed. A smaller radius of 7 feet will make you more agile and allow for quicker response and turns. A beginning skater often begins with a 7 foot radius and then moves up to the 8 foot radius. Although, personally, I always preferred the 7 foot radius and never made the switch. Each skater has their own preference.

The radius also plays into the rocker. The rocker is the part of the blade right in back of the toe pick. It’s where spins are performed on the blade and it also helps with take-offs on jumps. I liked a more prominent rocker myself so that was another reason I preferred the 7 foot radius blade.

Last but not least, there’s the dreaded toe pick. Those are the teeth of the blade. Anyone who has seen the movie, “The Cutting Edge” remembers how toe picks can cause some awful falls! As a beginner skater, you may be a bit more hesitant about having a hefty toe pick at first but whatever the size of the toe pick, you simply get use to it. The purpose of toe picks are for take-offs and landings of jumps and they are used in a variety of ways on spins and flying spins too. I skated the first 20 years of my career on mild toe picks but then I discovered the “Phantom” blade by MK. If you have ever seen the toe pick on that blade, it’s frightening-at first. However, after I got used to it, I must say that blade made a huge difference in my skating career. My jumps really began to fly and the rocker is wonderful on these blades too so my spins improved as well. It Great blade!

For beginners, the MK blade called the Cornation Ace blade is good. It can take you through the intermediate level. There are equivalent non-MK, less expensive blades that are good, too. But once you can afford it, look at some of the nicer blades- you’ll be glad you did! Pattern 99’s are a favorite of the older skaters who have been around for a while and there are many newer blades too that are just wonderful! And, don’t overlook Phantom blades as an intermediate to advanced blade too.

There is gobs more that I could tell you about boots and blades, but I have intentionally kept it simple. What it all basically boils down to is to select a boot that is comfortable on your foot, a quality blade that is above your current level to skate up to and all in a price range you can afford.

Happy skating!

D. Cooper has been a skating coach since 1999. She tested, competed, and has her Adult Gold and tested through her Intermediate/Novice level. She still actively skates and is now learning ice dancing. She is a member of the United States Figure Skating Association and a member of the Professional Skaters Association for coaches, and she continues to actively coach students of all ages. D. Cooper is also a published author with a recently released book, “Learn How to Ice Skate, 7 Basic Moves – A Guide for the First Time Skater” which is an easy to understand, down to earth, overview of the sport for absolute beginners. Website Link:

YouTube video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrZvAfokPWc (learn to put on a skating boot)

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/DC_Cooper/1970976

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8724947

What You Must Know About Choosing Your Hotel When Vacationing

La Luna Wine Bar is ready for any birthday function rooms Melbourne that can accommodate the entire family members. You now have figured out where you’re going on vacation. Have you priced the tickets or made the plans to drive? It’s finally time to book the hotel? How do you do it right? Begin by reading the following article. Check out the advice below.

Use the closet safe to protect your electronics. Valuables can be placed there with confidence, allowing you to enjoy your day without worries.

Consider your organizational memberships. Some organizations offer discounts on hotels to their members. The discounts could be 10% or even higher! If you are planning to stay a few nights, this can really add up. It may equate to one whole free night.

Search for the best deals in hotels online before making reservations. Most of the time, people you speak with over the phone won’t mention any discounts possibly available to you. This is why you should always do your research well online to find these hidden discounts. Sites, such as Jetsetter, will let you know of any discounts available.

Don’t unpack upon arrival without checking your hotel room first. Make sure there is no mold or mildew anywhere in the room. Does your shower, sink, and toilet work in the right way? Are all the towels you’ll need present in the room? If any issues are immediately prevalent, call the front desk that instant so they can address them or move you to another room.

Know the check-in times. If you don’t check, the room may not be ready when you arrive. If you will be arriving early, call and ask if this is okay.

In order to save money on hotel stays, book far in advance. Many hotels offer the best discounts if you book a few months in advance. You may find yourself saving as much as half off of the room’s typical rates.

For members of AAA, hotels offer discounts that are exclusive to members. It may surprise you that AAA gives hotel discounts, but most of them do. Membership in AARP, a union, an auto club or even being a police officer can get you a discount. These savings really add up.

Be sure to follow your fitness regimen while staying in a hotel by packing your workout clothes and any other equipment you may need. Get up early and dress for a jog in the early morning. No matter if you’re on city streets or down some roads, you can easily learn new things about a city doing this.

Many hotels have loyalty programs available to customers who travel often. This type of program provides discounts and benefits for frequent visitors. These loyalty programs allow you to earn free upgrades, late check outs and even free stays.

You may wish to consider a “green” vacation if the environment is one of your concerns. The number of “green” hotels is steadily growing. There are newer hotels that were built to be environmentally friendly. Eco-friendly strategies are also now commonly adopted by many older hotels. Talk with a travel agent to find green hotels.

The price of a hotel room is often a mix of many factors. Rooms prices are based on their availability. Try to book a specific room at least 24 hours ahead of time, but it’s even better if you book weeks ahead of schedule. This will get you the best hotel rates. Empty rooms earn no money, so the hotels often slash the prices.

Consider joining a membership program if you travel often. You will build up points with that hotel for added benefits. It works a lot like frequent flier miles do for airlines.

Sign up for AAA if you wish to get better hotel arrangements while you travel. AAA members get good hotel discounts and can also find good car rental rates much more easily. In addition, free car seats are usually provided, which parents are certain to enjoy.

Call the hotel before you arrive to make sure the swimming pool is in working order. Showing up at your hotel and finding out the pool isn’t in working order can ruin an otherwise great trip.

If you smoke, be sure you’re aware of what the hotel thinks of smoking where you’re staying. A lot of places have specific rooms just for people who smoke. If the hotel has one, ask for this kind of room. You may be charged hefty fees if there is evidence that you have smoked in a that is designated as non-smoking.

See what the pet policy is at the hotel. If you do not like pets, or you are allergic to them, then you should probably avoid pet-friendly hotels. Hotels that allow pets typically have rooms that have a pet odor in them. Many hotels charge a fee for staying with a pet, but it might not be a lot. The fee may cover totally or partially the cost of the extra cleaning involved.

Don’t open that bottles water! When you arrive at your hotel, you might be very thirsty. The bottled water inside the mini fridge may tempt you. There is a huge mark-up in price because the hotel knows this fact. Sometimes you can get a free water bottle in the hotel gym. If not, hit a convenience store and save some money.

Your vacation will be enhanced by your choice of an excellent hotel. If you have a terrible hotel, it can spoil your trip. Stop this from happening. Use the tips in the article to help you find the right hotel with the amenities that you want.

Fighting For a Cause in Digital Times

It’s of course possible to research good charities options yourself, but it’s probably better to outsource that labor to a careful, methodologically rigorous charity recommender like GiveWell. India has generally been seen by the foreigners as a mystic land. A place with high spiritual significance because of all the sages that meditated and gathered some valuable wisdom, India always attracted a lot of tourists and international pilgrims. This is also because the people of India always preferred spiritualism over materialism unlike most of the western countries. But this was ages ago. With the advent of digital era where the world has become such a small place, the new generations have begun to forget all the ancient wisdom that has been granted by the saints and sages of that time. This is more prominently seen in the metro cities of the country.

Mumbai is considered to be the largest and probably one of the most populated cities of India. It is also known to be the financial capital of the country. Daily several people from around the country come to this city for fulfilling their dreams. But there are some unfortunate ones who end up living in the streets. Since Mumbai is probably the most glamorous city in India, there are many people who get indulged into ill activities like addiction to alcohol and drugs. What they do not realise is that they are actually moving in the path which only has fatal consequences.

There are many rehabilitation centres for drug addicted and drunkards in Mumbai. Most of these centres are non profit. They are either run by government or NGOs. There even are centres which do not charge a dime and the patient can be treated for free. These are for the people who cannot even afford their meals, let alone their treatment. Such centres require a lot of funds for their operation.

Alcohol and drug addiction is dangerous not only for the people who are addicted but also for their families and society. Many families have been destroyed because of addiction. Eventually an addicted person loses all his/her money and loved ones. This is the time when addiction probes him/her to indulge in various criminal activities like theft, robbery and sometimes even murder. This is a serious issue today in the country and not only Mumbai but every place in the country is facing it. In order to fight such an evil, the people of India have to come together. The good thing is that there are already many organizations working for such a cause. One only has to contribute his/her share to the plan that is being executed. But in this busy environment it is very difficult to spare time especially in the city like Mumbai where one has to be round the clock.

Charity is one of the easiest ways of contribution for helping these organizations fight addiction; since money is the basic requirement for any organization to run. There are various methods by which one can donate for charity in Mumbai. The best thing is you don’t even have to get out of your house to donate. There are various charitable sites on the internet where one can donate for a cause. The only thing is one should always have a background check before donating to these charity websites.

Addiction and poverty are a deadly combination. And the two always cross each other’s paths. It is essential for the people of the country to make every one aware about this fact and help the victims of addiction to recover and lead a healthy and peaceful life.