A clap skate is a type of ice skate used in speed skating where the blade attaches to the boot by a hinge at the front, allowing the heel to detach and the blade to remain in contact with the ice longer during each stride. Unlike traditional fixed-blade skates where the blade is rigidly mounted … Read more
Have you ever watched a figure skater pull their arms tight against their body and suddenly blur into a spinning tornado? Elite skaters can reach rotational speeds exceeding 300 revolutions per minute. That is faster than a helicopter rotor. I remember the first time I saw this at a local ice show. One moment the … Read more
I remember the first time I watched a figure skating competition after the judging scandal at the 2002 Olympics. The scores flashed on screen, and I had no idea what I was looking at. Numbers like 85.42 and 92.17 replaced the familiar 5.8s and 5.9s I grew up with. The most confusing part? Two numbers … Read more
I remember my first time stepping onto an ice rink. I showed up in baggy sweatpants and thick cotton socks, confident I was dressed appropriately for the cold. Within ten minutes, I was overheating, my socks had bunched up inside the rental skates, and I had nearly tripped when my pant leg caught on the … Read more
Walking into your first youth hockey registration meeting can feel overwhelming. You’re surrounded by terms like mites, squirts, peewees, and bantams, along with numbers like 8U, 10U, and 12U that don’t make immediate sense. I remember sitting in that exact spot three years ago, scrambling to Google what division my son belonged in while other … Read more
Curling stands apart from other sports in one remarkable way. While most competitions emphasize winning above all else, curling is governed by a tradition so respected it has an official name: the spirit of curling. This tradition of good sportsmanship and honourable conduct shapes everything from friendly club games to Olympic finals. In this guide, … Read more
Building an ice rink is a significant investment that varies dramatically based on size, location, and purpose. Whether you are dreaming of a backyard skating surface for winter family fun or planning a multi-sheet commercial facility, understanding how much it costs to build an ice rink is essential before breaking ground. The total cost to … Read more
Have you ever watched a figure skater launch into a spin and counted the rotations? Twenty. Thirty. Sometimes more. Your head spins just thinking about it. Yet when they finally stop, they glide away perfectly balanced, ready for their next element. Most of us would be on the ice clutching our heads, the world whirling … Read more
Beer league hockey is adult recreational ice hockey for players of all skill levels, ages, and backgrounds who want to play the game without the pressure of professional or high-stakes competitive hockey. These leagues prioritize fun, social connection, and physical activity over winning championships. Unlike youth or collegiate hockey, beer league welcomes everyone from complete … Read more
You should sharpen your ice skates every 10 to 30 hours of skating time, depending on your skill level, skating style, and ice conditions. How often you should sharpen ice skates isn’t just about calendar time; it’s about the quality of your blade edges and the amount of wear they accumulate on the ice. In … Read more