The club maintains an inventory of speed skates for use at the arena for the Off to a Good Start/First Strides program and for rent for all other programs. There are three types of skates in the inventory:

• The Zandstra recreational skates are available in sizes 35 to 47 and are suitable for newer skaters who need a larger size than is available in the Viking adjustable skates.

  • They may be used by skaters in the Off to a Good Start/First Strides program who need these larger sizes, on the same basis as the Viking adjustables, i.e., their use at the arena is included in the program registration, and the skaters return them to the equipment room at the end of each session.

  • These skates may be rented by skaters in other programs at the same fee as the regular speed skates.

• The regular speed skates are available for rental.

  • These skates come from different manufacturers, and the sizing is inconsistent. Skaters should come to a skate fitting session to ensure a proper fit.

  • Skaters registered in the Skills Development/Fast Strides or Competitive programs should be wearing regular speed skates. It is a good idea to rent skates while the skater's feet are still growing, or when new to the sport.

There is a limited inventory of skates available for rental, so skaters wishing to rent skates for the season should attend an early fitting session.

Conditions of rental:

• Renter must be a club member in good standing, registered for a program during the current speed skating season.

• There are two rental periods for the regular speed skates.

  • For most skaters who will be skating just during the regular season, the fee is $100 for the period from late September to March 31.

  • For more advanced skaters who may be participating in competitions or training camps outside the regular season, the fee is $125 for the period from mid-July to mid-April

  • For skaters who have their own blades, they may rent boots for $75.

• Skate rental fees are to be paid in full before removing skates from the arena.

• The rental fee includes hard guards, which must be worn whenever walking in the skates off-ice, and soft guards (soakers) which are used for transportation and storage. Skates must not be stored with the hard plastic guards on the blades.

• When recreational or regular speed skates are rented, the skaters or parents are responsible for any sharpening that may be needed during the season. They must attend a skate sharpening and maintenance demonstration if they have not been previously trained.

• Skates must not be taken to commercial skate sharpeners as their sharpening equipment will damage the blades.

  • Skaters must care for skates according to prescribed club procedures. A club sharpening kit will be available for use at the arena to sharpen skates. Club personnel will assist renters who have not yet been trained in sharpening.

• Skaters must accept responsibility for any loss or damage beyond normal wear and make good such damages.

• All skates, guards and soakers must be returned at the end of the rental period. At that time the skates should be clean, sharpened and contain proper laces. If the guards and soakers are not returned with the skates, the fees for their replacement are $18 for soakers and $25 for guards.