{"id":55,"date":"2018-03-13T04:27:04","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T04:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/?p=55"},"modified":"2018-03-13T04:46:07","modified_gmt":"2018-03-13T04:46:07","slug":"getting-started-what-to-wear-to-that-first-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/13\/getting-started-what-to-wear-to-that-first-lesson\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started: What to wear to that first lesson"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your Olympic hopeful is taking to the ice for the very first time! Hooray!<\/p>\n<p>Will they be expected to wear a sparkling skating dress with matching scrunchy? Or full hockey pads? Not yet. That all comes too soon. For now a helmet, warm jacket, water-proof mittens, socks, and snow pants will do you just fine. As with all activities, we do what we need to do to keep SkaterGirl\u2019s hair out of her face.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>From the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.plymouthmn.gov\/departments\/parks-recreation-\/ice-center\/skate-school\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plymouth (MN) Skate School website :<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Beginning levels are required to wear helmets.<\/li>\n<li>Skaters will benefit more from a lesson while wearing proper skates. We prefer boots be of leather rather than vinyl, and they should have strong ankle support. Blades should be of high tempered steel and properly sharpened. Double runners are not allowed.<\/li>\n<li>It is important that all skaters are warm and comfortable while skating. We suggest dressing in layers and request all skaters to wear mittens or gloves.<\/li>\n<li>No shoes allowed on the ice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p><img data-attachment-id=\"56\" data-permalink=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/13\/getting-started-what-to-wear-to-that-first-lesson\/img_4936\/\" data-orig-file=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2236,1677\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 5s&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1421597247&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.15&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4936\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936-300x225.jpg\" data-large-file=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-56 size-large alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Beginner Skate School Class\" width=\"525\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4936-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 525px) 100vw, 525px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Helmet<\/h2>\n<p>We got by with a properly fitted bicycle helmet. Of course a winter sports helmet would be great.<\/p>\n<h2>Skates<\/h2>\n<p>Kiddo\u2019s going to want skates with a sharp blade and really supportive comfortably-fitted boot. Not the adjustable skates or the ones with double blades. Those are fine on a pond in the backyard, but we\u2019re paying for lessons here. Let\u2019s get our money\u2019s worth!<\/p>\n<h4>Rent Skates<\/h4>\n<p>Most rinks rent skates. Maybe a good place to start for two reasons:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>What if they get on the ice and realize it\u2019s waaayyy harder than it looks on TV and decide right then and there that skating is a silly sport anyway and their new dream is to play soccer in the World Cup. Then you\u2019re just out the $3 rental.<\/li>\n<li>If they decide they want to pursue skating, you\u2019ll have the chance to try the skates and figure out which size is best before you commit to buying a pair. It also gives you the time to look for good used skates to buy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Buy Skates<\/h4>\n<p>If\/when you\u2019re ready to own skates, I highly(!) suggest looking for used ones first. Ask around at the rink first and do a little googling. Kids are constantly outgrowing their skates. Look for a reputable brand that makes beginner skates, like Riedell or Jackson. We had really good luck at the Play It Again Sports in Minnetonka, MN. We found used Riedell skates for $20! Maybe you have a re-sell place like that near you? If not, check out this Facebook group (please tell me if you know of any in other countries as well):\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/1237661052930083\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Figure Skating Swap &#8211; USA (National)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Next time: Expectations for Beginners<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your Olympic hopeful is taking to the ice for the very first time! Hooray! Will they be expected to wear a sparkling skating dress with matching scrunchy? Or full hockey pads? Not yet. That all comes too soon. For now a helmet, warm jacket, water-proof mittens, socks, and snow pants will do you just fine. &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/13\/getting-started-what-to-wear-to-that-first-lesson\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Getting Started: What to wear to that first lesson&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[6,8,7,4,9],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v14.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Getting Started: What to wear to that first lesson - Queen Mom.me<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/13\/getting-started-what-to-wear-to-that-first-lesson\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Getting Started: What to wear to that first lesson - Queen Mom.me\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your Olympic hopeful is taking to the ice for the very first time! Hooray! Will they be expected to wear a sparkling skating dress with matching scrunchy? Or full hockey pads? Not yet. That all comes too soon. 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Not only is it good to get a professional opinion, but it's really fun for the little skater.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Learn to Skate&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Trying-skates-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":81,"url":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/16\/skates-finding-the-first-pair\/","url_meta":{"origin":55,"position":1},"title":"Skates: Finding the first pair","date":"March 16, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"After SkaterGirl had taken several lessons in rental skates, and I felt sure she was going to stick with it, we bought her her very own skates! I had heard good things about the Play It Again Sports in Minnetonka, MN. I think the best thing we got there on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Skates&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/adjustable-skate-300x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":124,"url":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/05\/17\/the-search-for-tiny-skates-part-1\/","url_meta":{"origin":55,"position":2},"title":"The Search for Tiny Skates: Part 1","date":"May 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I have finally been convinced (read: worn down by pleading) that SkaterGirl's little sister TinyTot, age almost-3, is ready to take her first skating lessons! #HerTurn I successfully signed TinyTot up for a beginner\u00a0ISI Tots class that starts in June. I figured summer would be less stressful from a family\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Learn to Skate&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/TinyTot-peeking.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48,"url":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/13\/so-your-kid-wants-to-learn-to-skate-after-the-winter-olympics\/","url_meta":{"origin":55,"position":3},"title":"Kiddo wants to learn to skate: After the Winter Olympics","date":"March 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"So\u2026 Your kiddo watched the winter Olympics with great interest, and is now inspired to become a world-class ice skater. Welcome to the club! But\u2026 You, yourself, are not a one-time Olympic skater, nor has your child ever had skates on their feet. You don\u2019t quite know where to start.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Learn to Skate&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":97,"url":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/05\/04\/caring-for-ice-skates\/","url_meta":{"origin":55,"position":4},"title":"Caring for Ice Skates","date":"May 4, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"You're now committed both to owning skates and your Kiddo's increasing interest in the sport. I'm going to share what I've learned so far about how to protect your investment... What you\u2019ll need: Hard guards and a towel\/washcloth What Kiddo will want: Hard guards, soakers\/soft guards, towel\/washcloth, cloth skate bags,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Skates&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_0690-1024x550.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":61,"url":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/2018\/03\/13\/getting-started-expectations-for-beginners\/","url_meta":{"origin":55,"position":5},"title":"Getting Started: Expectations for Beginners","date":"March 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"January 2015: Four-year-old SkaterGirl is all bundled up. Hopes and knee socks high! The class gathers off the ice in the Skate School coaches\u2019 room. They exchange names, go over safety, check to see that the skates are all tied properly, that everyone is wearing helmets and mittens, and then\u2026\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Learn to Skate&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Beginning Skate School class gathers off-ice","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queenmom.me\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/IMG_4934a-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9lrLC-T","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68,"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions\/68"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/queenmom.me\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}