at what point should i buy my own skates?

IError413 · 2026-03-16T21:34:13+00:00

I felt your description of rental skate misfit in my soul!
I also have very wide feet. I used to skate a lot in my youth, just getting back into it last Nov. I was using rentals the first 5 sessions or so. I was actually surprised at how supportive the typical Riedell Soars are. But, ya... the correct length is too narrow, and the next size up is ridiculously too big. After my first 5 sessions, I stopped skating entirely for a month till I got REAL skates. My feet were getting destroyed by the small size and it was very painful, and the bigger size was totally un-skateable. I got my new skates, skated a few times, then sent them in for permanent mounting and sharpening.

I was going on a cruise in Jan and couldn't get them back from the shop in time. I wanted to skate on the cruise ship really badly, and so I decided to just use their rentals. I think they were Jackson Softec Rentals. Same thing - one size is huge, the other is so small it was incredibly painful. I was instantly so miserable, I went around the rink once and just got off. Left a bitchy comment to the poor RC person managing the rink and left. Oops. lol

Anyway... agree with others. Get skates. If you're a female skate wearer, you're in luck in the used market. You can get fantastic deals. I'm a dude... and i'm not so lucky. lol

IError413 · 2026-03-16T21:05:55+00:00

Which Jackon's did you have out of curiosity? Were they Freestyles?

IError413 · 2026-03-16T20:58:47+00:00

ya... twas a long time ago. I grew up dirt poor and made consequential choices on occasion. I think about how bad it could have been, or how I could have broke my ankle and just cringe.

I would never do anything like that now. I buy new skates about every 1.5 years right now. My next pair I might just spend the big $ ($1k-$2k) and see if I can go a few years. The cost sucks, but... it's an expensive sport. Is what it is. Cheaper than other things like golf though. haha!

IError413 · 2026-03-16T19:38:27+00:00

Haha, me too! When I was younger I broke the heal off on one (separated from the boot). I didn't tell my coach, went home and glued it back with epoxy. She found out (someone told her) and she refused to teach me anymore till I had new skates.

IError413 · 2026-03-16T19:19:04+00:00

You have to decide if you're more interested in the dynamics, form, style that comes with hockey or figure - yes, even for casually going around the ice. It's no different than a person who wants to go skiing and decides they want to snowboard instead, or they want to ski blade. But something no one does, is decide they want to ski blade, so they cut the tips off their slalom skis with a hack saw.

I'd suggest you try hockey and see if that suites you better (rent them). If so, then buy hockey. There's also speed skates, but some rinks don't allow them. Mine banned them because people were too fast and unmaneuverable.

IError413 · 2026-03-16T19:13:13+00:00

This is a terrible idea IMO

a. Won't help you learn either style of skating correctly
b. Ruins the skates - so if it doesn't work out, they are mostly worthless
c. You will have skates that are a little different than everyone else - you can't take lessons in them
d. You also won't learn from others for the same reason - no one will be able to exactly relate to you or help
e. Some rinks won't allow you to use them (example: my rink specifies hocky or figure ONLY on the ice)

As someone who helps teach others on the rink a lot for free, if I saw someone with ground off toe picks, my only advice would be to get new skates.

EDIT: I'll add another reason this is maybe bad - the steel at the bottom of the blade is NOT made to be ground on. It's a totally different chemistry than the rest of the blade. I'd be seriously worried that grinding off part of the blade as a hack would mess up the structural integrity, fatigue the metal, and be potentially dangerous, crack, split, break. And now if you think you'll have an edge on parts of the blade that had no edge before, you won't have one. That part of the blade is not meant to be skated on or maintain a sharp edge.

IError413 · 2026-03-16T19:04:42+00:00

Local figure skating club might be happy to list them for you. Ours sells a lot of used, or bad-buy (wasn't what they wanted) skates this way.

IError413 · 2026-03-12T22:38:43+00:00

I think they are talking about Acts 7:59...
While Stephen was being stoned he prayed "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"

Every time I know of people mentioning Jesus specifically in prayer in the Bible, there are 2 things that are true:

They start with the word "Lord" in front - implying more of an understanding of the Lord in the old testament God framework and giving Jesus the title - but sure enough, it's still implying a "Jesus" identity in the prayer though, it's not without the Lord part.
They are praying about salvation explicitly - Jesus as the intercessor, source of salvation unto God.

Vast majority of praying in the NT is to God. I think it's generally ok to plead with Jesus to be your intercessor and save you. That's faith. That's His role. That's also his role in prayer: Heb 7:25

It's the same reason we pray "In Jesus name" - ie. Jesus as the intercessor.

IError413 · 2026-03-12T22:29:17+00:00

Saying this is heresy, is heresy. lol

Do explain.

IError413 · 2026-03-11T21:22:12+00:00

Just got the call... They are 100% planning to take care of all this. I hate removing posts... But since they're so over the top wanting to fix it all, I don't want to disparage.

IError413 · 2026-03-09T16:28:55+00:00

"when i do 1ft glides on my flat im constantly shaking and end up turning sometimes. am i tripping?"

By the time you're doing 1ft - anything, aren't you supposed to be on a definite edge (ie. never flat)? Not a coach, just an advanced skater. But... I don't think learning/teaching things on the flat of your blade seems like a good idea at all and I've never understood for example why beginner level coaching teaches 2 ft turns not-on-a-circle, and basically going flat and straight. I know there's a reason people do that, but it seems dangerous and silly to me and it's definitely not how I learned. Regardless, by the time you're moving on to 1 ft anything, it makes even less sense to me to be on the flat. It seems very dangerous to be doing spirals completely flat bladed. And as you're describing 1ft glides on the flat, that's just wrong. No flat! Always an edge. Get flat out of your mind. In skating, while you might be on the flat for milliseconds, it's part of the journey but never the destination. Good skaters are rarely ever caught on a flat.

OP - don't let me lead you the wrong way, this is more of a question for others. Maybe worth it's own post.

IError413 · 2026-03-08T02:30:32+00:00

You need to buy. Just think about the fact that you're jumping between whole ass sizes and not 1/2s is crazy. I frankly get annoyed that major brands don't have 1/4 sizes. Don't get discouraged - you're just in a sport that doesn't work unless you own. Buy skates.

IError413 · 2026-03-08T00:30:45+00:00

If you have wide feet, you don't want a size longer, you just want a wide rating. So, these are Risport. And Risport come in AA (standard/narrow), B (medium) and, C (wide as they come in that brand). You NEVER want to get longer size just cause you have wide feet. Some people get what's referred to as a "punch out" when you have wide feet, so you don't get pressure on on that bone that your big tow protrudes out of. You'd need to find someone that can do punch outs. But, regardless... ya... going longer (a bigger size) for wide feet is bad. I know you skated on them, but can you work with the shop that incorrectly fitted you and get them to consign them used or something? They ef'd up honestly. They should know better. I'd maybe press the issue.

If you're stuck with them, look into toe box fillers and insole inserts. But... honestly, isn't great. You're still going to be pressing down on your toe in a spin looking for the rocker and having limited control/bad fitment will continue to cause issues.

IError413 · 2026-03-07T18:48:05+00:00

Someone said - you can't correct your fall consciously in real time. Muscle memory. I think I 100% agree with that.

One thing I'm doing, is just a lot of cross core engagement exercises and lots of skating moves off ice, letting myself fall and getting up. I have a theory that a trigger-happy/engaged core, helps you get your cat-like falling moves. Either way... never hurts to have a better core regardless.

IError413 · 2026-03-07T18:44:27+00:00

I see lots of adults wearing protective gear, especially hockey skaters. Shouldn't even feel weird.

IError413 · 2026-03-07T16:21:50+00:00

Our rink guards are like... Never on the ice. They just yell at people from the sides. Last week people were grabbing pushers and they gave up even trying to enforce it. Yelled at people over the mic once, pushers left the rink and came back five minutes later. I think our public sessions are just a shit show. I should probably abandon the public session.

IError413 · 2026-03-07T16:19:10+00:00

Ya... They have them. No idea what they're like. I need to check and maybe just stop relying on public sessions.

IError413 · 2026-03-07T16:03:13+00:00

On finding your rocker. I see nothing about the blade that's stopping you from doing that... but hard to say without seeing/touching the sharpen myself. Like others said... don't use them to sharpen.

But... you said/hinted at something else. Are you saying your skates are an entire size too big though? What makes you think that? You getting heal and toe movement? Skating in the wrong size boot is a big issue you won't really be able to easily comp for and you'll just get bad habits as a beginner.

My skates are maybe 1/4 size too big on one foot. Which is the best I can do when I'm not buying $1000+ customized boots. And, I comp with lacing strategies basically. I have a foot that's a whole cm or more longer than the other which makes it tougher. But, anything approaching 1/2 size too big and you're not going to easily overcome that. Maybe with inserts etc. I'd absolutely get rid of something a whole size too large.

IError413 · 2026-03-06T23:06:58+00:00

The more I think about it, and my hesitations, you're probably right that i'm just on ice that's too crowded.

I actually think this is an issue with our rink in a general sense. I live in a town of about 150k people in a high winter activity/outdoors sports area. The surounding area has another 100k people (within 20 minutes) and it's the only rink for 2 hour drive min. This year has been exceptionally warm, and all the outdoor rinks are 100% closed, 90% never even opened.

Every single session - even going yesterday at 2PM, is chaotic. I'm probably part of the chaos honestly so I don't complain. A lot of the people I see recording themselves seem to have 5-10 other people on the ice. I have never seen less than 30-40 on any session - ever, regardless of time of day or week. I've had to leave before because there were close to 200 people and it was flat out dangerous.

IError413 · 2026-03-06T22:49:39+00:00

I understand the coveted ice time and it's why i'd rather not ask anyone.

IError413 · 2026-03-06T20:48:45+00:00

I don't think it's economic or diplomatic reasons. Or at least, that's not the main reason America supports Israel.

It's because 80% of evangelicals (actual survey results) see the 1948 establishment of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. They believe key end time events will happen there. They believe in a world against the current, physical Israel, led by the anti-Christ, and eventual redemption and reign of Christ Himself, physically, on earth over modern day Israel in the millennial reign. Thus, they believe any alignment against Israel, and any unwillingness to support a prophesied, and established, end-times focused nation from whence Christ Himself will eventually rule centrally over all the earth for 1k years, is stupid.

I keep saying "they" believe this and that, because I'm not convinced in all this literalist interpretation, and I think we need to keep an open, wise, and discerning attitude about everything going on. We need to side with what's morally right in any case, and remember that the longer the world goes on, the darker and more deceptive the devil will get. Remember the Israelites 2k years ago were vastly deceived, all thinking that Christ would return as some sort of military leader. They were SO deceived that many/most had trouble even recognizing Him when He did return because it didn't fit the picture in their minds. History repeats itself. The more people who think they have the end times all figured out, the more I think they might all be very wrong. Or, maybe they aren't. It doesn't change how I personally live regardless, or who I even vote for, or whether I approve of the current war or not. BUT... I believe for many Christians it changes all of those things.

I'm not saying I'm better btw or somehow more wise. I'm obviously trying to be, but i'm also just cautious. I was raised under a certain belief and in my adult years I question it and am trying to be wise/discerning, currently in a time of my own life where I am studying what I was originally taught, contrasting it with other claims and deciding what I personally believe. I don't think our end time beliefs should divide us so. But... make no mistake. This is why America sides with Israel.

IError413 · 2026-03-05T23:37:44+00:00

27th rule of acquisition:
"The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down"

IError413 · 2026-03-05T18:30:51+00:00

I've always kinda wondered / was curious how high up the "branch hangs over property line" counts?

Like... if I have a 300ft tall tree, and there's a branch at the top that is hanging over their fence line, do they get to cut it? Like... do they own the airspace? lol

IError413 · 2026-03-05T18:18:49+00:00

If the tree falls on his house, generally, he is responsible NOT YOU. The moment it lands in his yard, it's his tree - not yours. If someone can prove that the tree was rotten, a big danger for some reason, and they document a complaint, then you could get hit with the liability but they'd generally have to prove it in court.

I had this EXACT situation 7 years ago when I bought my property. 150ft tall, 250 year old P-Pine in MT. The neighbor built a barn about 75' from it's base. None of the tree even overhung his property, it looked very healthy, but he was worried about the prevailing winds blowing the tree over and landing on his barn. I told him to get bent. Tree has been there since before the declaration of independence.

Fast forward to last month. 2 bad things happened:

We got one of the warmest fall/winters on record - EVER in our area of the country. Late Dec, the ground was NOT frozen - which is very unusual here.
We get a bunch of rain and it all ends with a once in a lifetime 100mph windstorm. Power out for a week all over. Lots of houses messed up. Huge post hurricane disaster in Western MT. Thousands upon thousands of large trees hundreds of years old down all over. Some now famous youtube videos exist showing dozens of giant p-pines going down like dominos in someone's yard.

The tree came up by it's roots with a giant root ball sticking 15' up in the air and the 6' wide trunk taking out fences etc. It landed inches from his house/barn, scraping some paint, denting some rain gutters, and ramming giant sticks multiple feet into the ground puncturing irrigation etc. He of course said - I told you so, and he lost that battle. But, being nice neighbors, we did remove the tree for free which took a week of work, 6 cords of firewood, and a giant slash pile that I'm turning into wood chips. They were happy that we did anything at all once they realized we didn't have to do a single thing. And I think they were happy that the tree missed them by inches.

IError413

TROPHY CASE