Figure Skating/GoldSeal Blades

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Expert: Dianne DeLeeuw - 6/11/2009


Question
My daughter has new goldseal blades.  how long is typical for a 9 year old to get used to new blades.  she is a pre pre and seems to have trouble with her spins now - something about the rocker.  what is a rocker and how does it affect spins.

Answer
Hi.
Gold Seal are great blades but very heavy.  This may affect her feel.  As for the rocker, that is the actual curve of the blade.  New blades will always feel different on spins because of the small spot you spin on.  Gold Seal has a small spot to allow faster better spins than recreational blades.
So push through soon they will be "normal".  If it does not get better have your coach check the mounting and sharpening.
Good luck,
Dianne

Figure Skating

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Dianne DeLeeuw

Expertise

I can answer questions about figure skating, choreography, ISI or USFSA. Also questions about competing (my Olympic experience or your own competition). I`m a National referre for ISI. Recently I also have been appointed a National Technical Specialist for US Figure Skating. But remember I am not your substitute for a coach! They can see what you are doing! To correct or instruct you on manuevers is really not what I want to do.

Experience

Experience: World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, coaching all levels of skaters at in California. I coach all levels and ages of skating from tiny tots to adults, first timers to International competitors. I also do choreography, music editing, teach specialty classes and give seminars.

Organizations: USFSA, ISI, PSA, Los Angeles Figure Skating Club

Publications: Recreational Ice Skater, The Edge

Awards: 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1975 World Champion, 1976 European Champion, 6 time National Champion, US and Canadian Double Gold Medalist, 1999 ISI Great Skate Award, 2002 Woman of the Year

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