Test 1 of 6
Straight two-foot glide Checks whether the skater feels pulled consistently to one side when both skates are weighted evenly.
Instructions Use a clear, quiet section of ice. Skate forward slowly, then set both feet hip-width apart. Glide on two feet with softly bent knees and quiet upper body. Keep weight balanced between both skates and repeat several times. Stop immediately if anything feels unsafe. How it should feel or look Both skates should glide forward calmly. The skater should not feel forced onto one edge. Small wobbles from balance or ice conditions can happen. How it does feel or look Feels straight and even One skate repeatedly feels as if it wants to pull inward or outward One ankle feels forced over an inside or outside edge I can keep it straight only by twisting my foot, knee, or hip The pull changes between attempts I feel generally wobbly on both skates
Optional note for this test Test 2 of 6
One-foot glide feel check Checks whether one skate feels naturally centred during a gentle one-foot glide.
Instructions Perform only if you can safely glide on one foot. Start with a slow two-foot glide, then lift one foot slightly. Glide briefly on the test foot with the knee softly bent over the toes. Repeat on the other foot and compare sides. Do not force a long glide. How it should feel or look The blade should feel as if it sits under the centre of the foot. The ankle should not feel forced to collapse inward or outward. One side should not feel dramatically wrong. How it does feel or look Both sides feel reasonably centred One skate drops strongly to an inside edge One skate drops strongly to an outside edge One side feels much harder to balance than the other I can balance only by clenching my toes or twisting my knee The result changes from attempt to attempt I am not confident doing this test safely
Optional note for this test Test 6 of 6
Screw / mounting security observation Looks for urgent signs that the skate should not be used until checked.
Instructions Perform this off ice only. Dry the sole and blade area. Look for missing screws, raised screw heads, damaged screws, gaps, clicking, or visible sole damage. Do not test screws by turning them or add replacement screws. If anything looks loose or damaged, stop using the skate and consult a technician. How it should feel or look Screws should be present and seated correctly. The blade plate should sit flush to the sole. There should be no obvious movement, cracking, or damaged holes. Blade mounting needs the correct pilot-hole width and depth, approved screws from the skate manufacturer, and correct torque. Leave this work to an experienced skate technician.
How it does feel or look Everything looks seated and secure A screw is missing A screw looks loose, raised, tilted, damaged, or corroded There is a gap between the blade plate and sole A screw turns in the hole without securing properly The sole looks cracked, soft, swollen, or damaged The blade shifted recently or makes a clicking sound
Optional note for this test Review this blade alignment check TheRink will calculate the result from your selected checks. You only need a skating record if you want to save the notes.
Date
Figure skate Not linked to a saved figure skate
Optional overall note
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