Skating is great exercise, improves balance and increases coordination. As parents or guardians you are key to their success.
No matter a skater's goal, you have the best spot to observe amazing growth and development. From getting on the podium to passing a sought-after test or joining an elite team, we hope you enjoy skating's highs and can be a source of comfort through the lows. Skating teaches many valuable life lessons; the most direct metaphor is getting up after falling.
Equipment
Ensuring comfort and support on the ice is paramount to enjoying and falling in love with the sport. Jackson Ultima has the perfect graduation for inexperienced skaters, so your only worry will be making memories.
As beginner skaters, the focus of your equipment should be on comfort and support, with durability to take skill acquisition.
The Softec Skate Program is engineered for comfort, warmth and durability. But it doesn't stop there - these skates not only feel incredible, they look incredible. Softec is the industry leader in sport and figure style recreational skates for men, women and children.
Elite · Vista · Sport · Vibe
Explore SoftecConstructed from reinforced vinyl coated uppers to provide strength, support, and durability. Padded felt covered tongues deliver comfort and support, reinforced eyelets ensure durability. A stylish, maintenance free PVC sole with riveted Mark I blades for added security.
JS180 and the wider Finesse range
Explore FinesseBreaking in new skates can be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. For the first few sessions, the skates should not be laced too tight - but with only three hooks on the Ascend Series, all hooks should be laced. Barefoot Booties may be uncomfortable at the recreational level. Begin slowly and go easy on your new boots.
At an intermediate level, your skater will require more support to enhance skill progression and injury prevention.
Built on the Jackson Adapted Width (AW) Last, which provides a more relaxed fit, particularly in the arch area, while retaining our generous toe box and excellent heel lock - ideal for flat feet. Designed with Support Ratings to ensure the appropriate level of support for the skater's skill level.
Microfiber uppers inlaid with Swarovski crystals for a lightweight and stylish design. A U-shaped cuff pattern and adjusted back height allows for maximum flexibility without losing support.
Heat Moldable Fit System: we design boots to fit tight when cold. Your Skate Technician uses heat to soften and mold the boots; as the boot cools, it retains the shape of your foot. Custom fit in minutes.
Evo · Elle · Freestyle
Explore FusionSee your Authorized Jackson Ultima Retailer to perform heat molding - do not attempt on your own.
Participating in competitions and perfecting the finer points of the sport demand precision in design, support, and fit to ensure progression and success.
Multiple 2000 and 5000 Series options with Perfect Match technology, where the boot and the blade are chosen separately to suit your skater's size and skill.
2000 Series
Cutting edge technologies that deliver the ultimate solution for the intermediate level skater - paired with the Legacy blade range.
All the features of our Fusion Series skates with the flexibility of blade choice.
Moderate support of Elle or Freestyle with 2000 Series features and choice of blade.
5000 Series features in an intermediate-firm support.
Experience and technology from leading skaters in the sport, in our 2000 Series.
5000 Series
Paired with the Matrix Advanced and Apex blade ranges.
Skate in style!
Tradition meets technology.
The standard in lightweight performance.
Specialty Perfect Match
Better by design.
Paired with Apex Specialty or Ultima Finesse blades.
The standard in lightweight.
Paired with Apex Specialty blades.
Technology is our edge.
Offered alongside Apex Specialty on the Debut Low Cut.
Technology is our edge
Protégé & Protégé XP
Legacy Lite
Matrix Legacy
Unique Tapered Edge Design in our Advanced Blades results in superior edge control with better grip to the ice and a quieter skating performance.
Apex Advanced
Matrix Advanced Series
Classes & lessons
A skater's progression can be accelerated by adding professional skating instruction.
The base layer. Time on the ice is hard to substitute - like swimming without a pool, it's hard to simulate the feeling of skating outside of the real thing.
The most effective skill progression after public skating sessions is taking a set of group classes - offering the best balance of cost savings, instruction, and comradery with others, a hallmark of the skating community. Group classes will be helpful throughout a skater's career: elite skaters take group classes, as do professional coaches.
Private lessons work best for element specific improvement, individual planning, test preparation, and program creation and rehearsal.
Check your local rink for group class offerings, and also see the national governing bodies for skating: Skate Canada and the CanSkate Program; US Figure Skating, Learn to Skate and the Aspire Program (Group Classes / Axel Club).
Parent / coach relationship
As a parent, you have questions, and skating coaches are the best place to start for answers. If you are asking the coach of your group classes, inquire before or after class. If it may not be enough time to answer the question in less than a minute, consider asking to set up a time convenient for both.
Generally, always inquire and understand a coach's process, procedures, qualifications and methods to ensure they fit with you before starting lessons.
The Professional Skaters Association (PSA) has great information on the nuances of the relationship between parents and coaches.
Skating teaches many valuable life lessons; the most direct metaphor is getting up after falling.
Our Jackson Ultima Fit Guide is a great compliment to the above information, to help get the right equipment for a skater's skill or strength without impediment to their enjoyment or progression.
