What clothes to wear:
Top: Skaters who do not have a skinsuit should wear long-sleeved shirts that are warm and comfortable to move in. On top, skaters can wear a hoodie or jacket. We recommend that skaters dress in layers, and turtlenecks are a good option as well. Please make sure that sleeves are long enough so that the skin on the wrists is not exposed.
Bottom: Skaters may wear any comfortable and warm, long pants. We recommend that skaters wear long-johns or leggings underneath their pants of choice. Must be long enough not to expose any skin on the ankle or lower leg.

Gear:

1. Helmet: Helmet must be properly fitted and secured to the skater's head. Chin

   strap must only allow a maximum of 2 fingers between the strap and chin at the bottom of the skater’s head.*Helmets have a lifespan of maximum 5 years. They must be replaced after a major fall or after 5 years*

2. Goggles/sport sunglasses or other eye protection: *Optional for practice, required for competition. Must have a strap at the back that connects snug behind the skater’s head. *If wearing prescription glasses, the glass must be shatter-proof.

3. Neck Guard: Must have a properly fitted neck guard tucked inside of the innermost shirt (if skater is wearing a jacket or hoodie, we recommend that it is placed directly on top of the skin rather than on top of a shirt). Neckguard must be firm/tall enough that it properly covers the majority of the skaters’ neck and lays over their chest.

4. Cut-proof suit: *Skaters in groups 1&2 MUST have a cut-proof suit. For skaters in groups 3&4 it is HIGHLY recommended.) This suit is required for competition. A cut-proof suit made from dyneema (white-coloured fabric material) can be worn underneath clothing to protect from cuts and lacerations. We recommend that skaters wear their cut suits at all times underneath their clothes. For more serious athletes, a speed skating suit can be purchased. They come in two options: WITH or WITHOUT dyneema lining. Skaters who purchase a suit WITHOUT dyneema lining MUST still wear a dyneema suit underneath their skin suit.

5. Elbow pads: *Optional. Worn outside of clothing for comfort and safety.

6. Cut-proof or resistant gloves: Must be worn at all times. Skaters must tuck in their innermost long-sleeved shirts inside their gloves so that there is no skin exposed,

   or make sure that their jackets sleeves cover the base of the gloves.

7. Knee pads: If the skater does not have a skinsuit with built-in knee pads, knee

   pads (either soft or hard plastic, but soft fabric knee pads are recommended) must

   be worn either under or over the skater’s pants.

8. Shin guards: Hard plastic shin guards must be worn under or outside the skater’s

   pants. These must be fastened by the shin pads' proper velcro straps and also must sit on the skin (or on top of leggings) under the cut proof ankle covers (mentioned below).

9. Cut-proof ankle covers: Must be worn on both ankles on top of the outermost pants. Must be covering the top strap of the skate boot and sitting extended fully on the skater’s shin, coming slightly over the bottom of the shin guard.

10. Skates: Skaters must be properly fitted with skates that fit their foot size. Skaters who do not have custom boots may need thicker or thinner socks depending on the fit of the boot. For ankle pain, skaters can wear EZ-fit ankle socks (thin foam half sock worn on heel/ankle area to create more thickness and cushion in ankle). Take care to tighten skates very snugly on the feet, and make sure that laces are either tucked or short enough that they do not create a safety hazard.

11. Blades and blade coverings: Skaters must be fitted with blades that are the correct size for their skill-level and height. Skaters must not step/walk on the ground with their bare blades, and must always use hard plastic blade covers when walking with their skates on. When storing blades, make sure to dry the blade fully with a towel and to wrap blades in a soft fabric cover. Handle blades with care. No banging on hard surfaces, dropping blades, or putting heavy pressure on top of blades.