This holiday season, celebrate your skater and all his/her accomplishments! There’s no better way to get excited about skating than by spicing up one’s skating materials. Whether your skater is interested in cute accessories, stylish clothes, or productive supplies, there truly is something for everyone. As you prepare for the biggest shopping day of the year- Black Friday, check out my list of top skating essentials for your beginners.
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy holiday season!
Skate Guards
Every skater needs blade protection, so why not get creative? With Rockerz, skaters have the unique opportunity to mix and match various colors to create their own customized skate guards. Not only do skaters get the blade protection they need, they also get to show off their personality and creativity on the ice!
Soakers
Soakers are a great way to transform a boring skating necessity into something fun and playful. Whether your skater likes crazy colors or furry friends, there’s a style for everyone. This inexpensive gift is a great way to add some flair to a skater’s everyday essentials.
Blanket
While this may seem like a cliche gift, this is something all skaters need. Skaters get sweaty from exercising on the ice, but what about off the ice? Watching a competition or waiting for an ice cut to end can be freezing-cold experiences. Especially in the colder months, a blanket is a great way to keep a skater cozy in the cold.
I always keep a blanket in my car and use whenever I’m at a competition. Since I have to arrive early to warm up and get ready, there’s always extra time before my practice ice and competition begins. I also use my blanket to cover me up while sitting at the stands watching my fellow skaters perform and compete.
Journal
If your skater is a visual learner, a journal is a great way to further his/her progress on the ice. Not only do skaters get the chance to document their experiences and memories, coaches can also draw diagrams and write important points to remember. By keeping a journal on the ice, skaters can easily refer back to their notes and have a positive learning experience.
When I was young, my spin coach kept a skating journal of my progress. During every lesson, she wrote down what spins I worked on and how many revolutions I did so that next time, I would try to do more than previous lessons. Also, I was able to track how long it took me to master a certain spin and compare this information with her other students’ progress.
Skating purse
Every skater has a bunch of necessities to bring on the ice (hair ties, chapstick, extra gloves, water, CDs, tissues, etc), so why not get stylish? While Kiss and Cry bags are the most popular and most functional, any purse or small bag works. By getting a unique bag for the ice, skaters can show off their fashion sense and easily carry all their belongings.
Zuca bag or suitcase
Even more important than a skating purse is a practical bag off the ice. Skaters must lug their skates, gloves, change of clothes, socks, water, etc to and from practice every day which is quite an ordeal. This holiday season, invest in a suitcase or Zuca bag to fit all your skaters’ necessities in one place. The Zuca bag is especially great because it serves as both a suitcase and a seat for skaters to put their skates on when rinks get crowded.
I prefer a suitcase to carry my skates, towels, socks, etc. mainly because I needed a larger bag for both my freestyle and dance skates. As I started to compete more and travel far, I found having the suitcase to be much more convenient because I could keep all my skating belongings in the bag when I had to check in at the airport and then take my bag directly to the rink. Also, I like the spinner wheels on my suitcase. Since the wheels rotate 360 degrees, it allows for easy movement in any direction.
Water Bottle
Did you know that when athletes deplete more than 2% of their body weight, their performance drastically decreases? (https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/News/2018/April/01/Three-steps-to-hydrating-youth-athletes-for-healthy-performance). It’s important for your skater to stay hydrated as he/she works hard during practice and lesson time.
A customized water bottle with your skater’s favorite color and/or design is a perfect gift and will certainly stand out among the many other bottles, avoiding potential mix up with other skaters’ bottles. I highly recommend a vacuum insulated stainless steel bottle because it keeps the drink cold which is refreshing especially after a tough workout and also it’s easier to clean. I like the Hydroflask and S’well brand bottles due to their designs.
Skating clothes
Arrive on the ice in style! Feeling great is key to skating great, so why not get in on the latest fashion trends? Whether your skater is into iconic skating brands such as ChloeNoel or casual workout clothes such as Lululemon, the rink is the perfect place to show off one’s updated wardrobe.
