| If you are looking for a way to gain more power, | | | | Because your skates are a production line item, the |
| create more speed, and experience maximum agility | | | | most that can be expected from the skate |
| or just to truly be certain that your getting the most | | | | manufacture is that the blade will be mounted in the |
| out of your skates, than consider having your skate | | | | middle of the outer soul of the skates. That |
| blades aligned. | | | | however does not accommodate the majority of |
| Being a specialty skates store, we have developed | | | | skaters who pronate or supinate.Being certain that |
| and pioneered many unique systems for enhancing | | | | your center of gravity falls directly over the blade |
| the performance of our clients skates. One of the | | | | means that you will have better control of both the |
| many things we have done is developed and refined | | | | inside and outside edge of your skate blades. |
| the concept of "aligning skate blades" | | | | The classic picture of the young skater trying to |
| However, even after more than twenty years and | | | | skate while using only inside edges is something that |
| many thousands of 'blade alignments' we are still | | | | is easily avoided by repositioning the blade on the |
| often asked "what the heck is a blade alignment?" | | | | boot. Subtle changes to blade positioning on all levels |
| The simplest definition of a skate blade alignment is; | | | | of skaters can translate into significant gains in |
| the positioning of a skate blade on a boot in such a | | | | performance on the ice. |
| manner as to be relative to the foot and the | | | | Just some of the indications that you may need your |
| biomechanics of the skaters body that is going to be | | | | skate blades aligned may include; difficulty turning one |
| wearing the skate; or in other words...positioning the | | | | direction , struggling to hold eith an outside or inside |
| skate blade on the boot to ensure that the skaters | | | | edge, weak crossovers, chronic knee strain, groin |
| center of gravity falls directly over the blade. | | | | pulls, sore lower back. |
| Conceptually ...aligning blades on skates is the same as | | | | The manufacturing process is not perfect,so |
| aligning the wheels on a car. When it's done correctly, | | | | re-mounting a a skate blade mounted on a boot from |
| the wheels (skate blades) track 'straight' and 'true'. | | | | the manufacturer can make a huge difference in |
| Skate blade alignment is by no means a new concept. | | | | skating performance. |
| In fact figure skaters have been aligning their blades | | | | In a perfect world blade alignment should be done |
| for more than 100 years. Because of our extensive | | | | with the skater, in person, in that way a perfect |
| history with figure skating we simply used what we | | | | alignment can be attained.However, skates that have |
| had been doing with figure skaters for so many | | | | been worn for a period of time, will show signs of a |
| years, and applied it to all skaters, including hockey | | | | poor blade alignment, so it can in fact be attained |
| and ringette players. | | | | without the skater. It may not be ideal but significant |
| Positioning the blade to allow for the biomechanical | | | | performance improvements can be attained either |
| differences in your feet and body takes your skate | | | | way. |
| fitting to the next level. The correct alignment will | | | | Having worked with every level of hockey player and |
| allow for maximum edge control, which will support | | | | figure skater, including Olympic gold medalists. Blade |
| you in maintaining a more efficient stride, better | | | | alignment is an integral part of the skate fitting |
| turning ability, smother stopping, stronger cross | | | | process and will help you attain maximum |
| overs,etc. and will enhance your overall skating | | | | performance results from your skates. |
| performance. | | | | |