Skate Sharpening- Check them NOW

Over the years, it has never failed to amaze me how many people buy skates (cheap and expensive), pay for lessons, pay for ice time and pay for private coaches, but never want spend the money on the single most important part of skating! Regardless if you are just starting out or working on doubles and triples, you cannot properly learn or perform on dull, nicked or never sharpened blades. Go get your skates and take them to be checked and sharpened TODAY ! (For some reason, coaches seldom check equipment as part of the lesson process.) Seek out an experienced sharpener in your area and ask if your skates need sharpening and ask them to SHOW you and your skater what to look for. There is some basic sharpening info on my website here: http://www.tidewaterice.com/figure_skate_sharpening.htm
but I cannot thoroughly explain it, it is better to SEE it in person.

If they refuse to show you, either they don't know what they are doing or they want to keep you in the dark so they can keep you guessing and paying..either way, find someone else.

Sharpening takes time and practice, but it isn't rocket science (those who make it out be are just trying to gouge you).

Eventually the skater will "feel" when the blades get dull, but it takes time and experience. Obvious symptoms are: 1. having trouble pushing off to stroke, or 2. falling when leaning into a turn because the edgle loses its grip. A more subtle sign is difficulty centering spins.
 There is no magic number for how often skates need to be sharpened, that all depends on how they are taken care of...you know the routine..use guards, don't step on the threshold getting on the ice..don't walk on anything but the rubber mats, etc. etc.  The answer to how often? is WHEN THEY NEED IT. Learn what to look for, find someone you trust and has a reputation of sharpening figure skates without ruining the blades (more on that next time), and happily pay for their service. It is the single most important part of skating and the single best use of your skating budget!