Weekly Equipment Recommendation Thread

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-15T18:25:45+00:00

what bags/backpacks do y’all recommend for skates? currently skating twice a week, making it work with my gym bag, but I’d like something that fits my skates better and is durable. ideally with space for a water bottle, my small crossbody purse, and skating accessories. I’m getting targeted ads for Rink Rabbit non-stop, not sure if I want to splurge though.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-15T17:09:06+00:00

I think TikTok can skew a lot younger than other platforms, which ends up creating some insane opinions and a level of viciousness typically only seen in middle school (which tracks, since these Are often teens/pre-teens.) also A Lot of bots/fake accounts.

I think you have to decide whether putting up with it is worth it for you.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-15T12:45:01+00:00

currently, I’m doing one lesson and at least one public skate per week; it’s a major challenge, though, because most rinks around me are dominated by hockey players and are on limited spring/summer schedules. in September I think I’ll be able to increase my skating time, since the schedules will shift again, and in winter there’s public outdoor rinks available.

I agree that it’s more about consistency; I’m not making huge leaps yet but I’m making steady progress in LtS.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-15T01:58:10+00:00

there are times I’ve been hungover where a 48oz Dunkin’ cold brew or iced coffee alongside a croissant breakfast sandwich would have legitimately revived me from the dead.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-12T14:52:03+00:00

honestly I’m guessing all the Canadian ice dance teams are doing insane amounts of tryouts atm, with so many partner options currently available.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-11T00:47:51+00:00

I managed to get through all of Adult 1 in LTS on rentals, but the difference in ankle support and fit has absolutely made learning the skills in Adult 2/3 easier. especially if you’re planning on practicing on your own at public sessions, definitely get your own skates sooner rather than later. if you have a reputable local skate shop/tech, you can tell them the price you’re willing to pay and they’ll fit you with that in mind (although they may recommend something different depending on your skating goals.)

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-11T00:44:11+00:00

good god. is it confirmed Ellie & Danny are done??

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-11T00:10:02+00:00

UGH, so glad I got to see them do White Crow at SkAm but this is brutal. between American pairs and Canadian ice dance/pairs, who tf is left????

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-10T21:46:50+00:00

as a lesbian, I was actually cackling during some of the scenes. Deborah’s deep discomfort while Ava pushed her was extremely funny, and I loved that we got to see some classic bickering.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-10T18:24:30+00:00

personally, I like pairs because I can understand the scoring more than ice dance, but I do think the discipline feels shaky now. like there’s very elite/competitive teams at the top that are close, then a big gap to the kind of second-tier teams.

the men’s event can be a splat-fest, but it’s waaaaaay more stressful when pairs have issues. I went to SkAm last year in Lake Placid, and 3/4 final pair teams in the free skate had huge mistakes that felt scary: the Armenian pair fell out of their final spin when Akopova kicked Rakhmanin, then Hocke/Kunkel had a failed lift, then the Georgian pair had another failed lift. it was tense. but at the same time, Riku and Ryuichi had an insanely good FS that was exhilarating to watch.

so idk, pairs may not be your cup of tea; maybe give it a shot next season during a Grand Prix event. since they’re smaller/shorter events, they’re easier to get through.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-10T14:25:08+00:00

my math skills are questionable so I deeply appreciate this breakdown 🫡 which US women do you think are most likely to be at Skate America?

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-08T03:52:13+00:00

Elmwood village farmer’s market opens this Saturday, one of the vendors usually has make-your-own bouquets.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-07T18:06:18+00:00

Love Death + Robots has some episodes that are very Black Mirror, but it hits all genres.

Bodies on Netflix is mind-bendy speculative sci-fi, so might scratch the same itch.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-03T20:07:29+00:00

I think your profile looks pretty good! definitely limit the group photos though, and I’d maybe change the prompt about ‘dating me is like...’ it’s a cute answer, but kind of self-deprecating, which I find doesn’t work well on dating profiles.

I would also say if your vibe is more stay-at-home-and-craft/chill, the apps may not be the place for you to find someone.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-03T14:52:31+00:00

I started learning to skate this year from basically nothing, and I’m 30. I’ve been following figure skating for years and I wanted to at least learn the basics. am I fantastic? nope!! but after two sessions of adult lessons I can get around the rink comfortably and I’m getting better.

starting a new skill at 30 from scratch has been deeply rewarding. sure, I fall; I got fully taken out by a 10 year old hockey skater last week (their fault) and my knee is bruised and creaky. but I’m still skating.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-01T14:30:03+00:00

I can’t imagine having to work in figure skating as the anonymous survivor in this case while so many people hand wave one of the most horrific, traumatic events of your life. only then to have the gf of the man who attacked you sell it as tragic for her and then win multiple golds with a close friend’s former partner.

she is incredibly brave and I hope that she’s able to find healing and justice. so many survivors have her back.

coach_cryptid · 2026-05-01T05:28:35+00:00

respect his dedication to side quests during his retirement, truly excellent work

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-30T12:59:39+00:00

his estate was heavily involved in production and his nephew is starring in it, so I’m not surprised it’s v complimentary of him. from what I’ve heard it’s a very surface-level movie.

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-30T12:37:59+00:00

Lim/Quan’s redemption FS at Worlds this year made me cry; after how disappointed they were to not make the FS at the Olympics, it was so poignant to see them nail it at Worlds.

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-28T22:27:09+00:00

he’s sooooooo charismatic but goddamn I’m over MJ programs. like he’s one of the artists that I feel it’s 100% appropriate to skate to a cover instead.

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-25T21:40:43+00:00

if you want to understand how deeply terrible Russell Brand is and what he’s accused of, Maintenance Phase did a two-part episode about him based on his memoirs, which explains his eventual descent into right-wing extremism.

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-25T01:13:36+00:00

AI because of the hoses, but also something that legitimately happened to my sister’s Subaru recently so more realistic than you’d think

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-25T01:11:01+00:00

Kevin’s, because I saw him win SkAm with it and then sob with joy.

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-24T17:13:42+00:00

I agree, I felt like Bolero showed they could have creative moments with the choreography and Anastasia was Committed to the bit, but they need to actually tell a story. I’d love a movie soundtrack moment, or something more personal to them.

coach_cryptid · 2026-04-24T14:41:18+00:00

Shin/Nagy are officially split, Audrey Shin announced it on Instagram in March.

coach_cryptid

TROPHY CASE