In today's article, we will be talking about Kitchener-Waterloo skate contouring.

Skate contouring is all about altering the lengthwise shape of your skate blade, or how much of a flat spot it has. The experts at Sports Zone offer this important service at our location in Waterloo - visit us today to learn more!

Skate contouring is recommended in order to maximize your skating potential. Let's take a deeper look at what it means and how it can help your movement on the ice.

Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Contouring

Sports Zone is located at 92 Lodge Street in Waterloo, ON.

Hours:

• MON TO FRI 10AM TO 8PM
  
• SAT 9AM - 5PM
 
• SUN 11AM - 5PM

What Sports Zone Can Offer

We are equipped with three Blademaster skate sharpening machines:

• Two machines dedicated for hockey skate sharpening
• One machine dedicated as a figure skate detailing and sharpening center

Blademaster is the global leader in skate care equipment and supplies.

Additionally, we employ a tool and die approach to our skate sharpening. What that means is on top of our machines that run over the entire blade, our sharpeners also use a special square machinist tool to meter the blade to perfection, giving you the perfect edges.

Our prices:

Hockey Skate Sharpening - $6.00 (tax included)
Figure Skate Sharpening - $12.00 (tax included)

Sports Zone also takes care of Kitchener-Waterloo skate contouring or profiling using Blademaster contouring tools.

Take advantage of a Kitchener-Waterloo skate contouring service before you jump back out on the ice

What is Skate Contouring?

Contouring, or profiling, is the process of altering the shape of the skate blade lengthwise to maximize your skating potential. The main thing it alters is the blade's radius, meaning the flat area of the blade upon which you glide across the ice.

According to Sparx Hockey, the radius "imagines the length of the skate blade (from heel to toe) as part of a larger circle. The most common sizes are a 9 foot radius, an 11 foot radius and a 13 foot radius, although they are not limited to just these. With a smaller radius (9 ft), less of the skate blade comes in contact with the ice. With a larger radius (13 ft), more of the skate blade comes in contact with the ice."

Both approaches have their pros and cons, and that is why it is important for each individual player to test and see what works best.

Generally speaking, however, a smaller radius is better for agility and maneuverability and a larger radius is better for speed. If you're just starting to test different contouring options, keep that in mind.

As SSM Produkt notes, "When you buy a new pair of skates they have some given radius shape. Different brands [use] different shapes."

Generally speaking, here's what you're likely to find out of the box:

• Hockey skates range between 6'-13'
• Goalie skates range between 22'-30'
• Figure skates range between 7'-8', while more expensive models combine 2-3 different radiuses

Treat yourself to a new pair of skates, and make sure you get them profiled

Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Contouring: When To Get It Done

The answer to this question is similar to when to get your skates sharpened: It depends on how often you skate and what you use them for!

We recommend having your skate's profile assessed when you bring them in for sharpening.

Skate Amherstburg offers the following helpful timeline:

"When skaters start out shuffling across the ice, once or twice a season should be fine. When skaters start to use their edges more and dig into the ice, maybe 3 or 4 times a season. This is assuming skating once a week for one hour. When figure skaters reach a more advanced level, doing single and double jumps, skating 4-6 hours a week, once every month would be advisable. When Hockey players start skating one or two games a week, at a more advanced skating level, once every 4-6 games is a good bench mark."

Parents will want to keep an eye on the condition of young one's skates, while more experienced skaters will develop a feel for when they need to get their blades contoured.

We can answer all your questions on this topic - visit us today!

Trust Sports Zone For The Best in Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Sharpening!

Like the major chain sporting retailers, we carry all the major hockey skate and figure skate brands you need to skate at your best.

Sports Zone also has a trade-in program. Bring in your used equipment and get credit towards your next purchase!

The Sports Zone difference, however, is our personalized level of service. We pledge to offer the customer a personal, small-store service experience but with all the sports equipment and apparel athletes need to excel at their sport.

Whether you need a skate sharpening, hockey equipment, new skates, hockey sticks, goalie equipment, or other sports equipment, Sports Zone has what you need at the best price, guaranteed!

Visit us today to get the best sports equipment you need to compete and take advantage of our in-store services.

Or, you can order online if you're outside the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

What Sports Zone Customers Are Saying: