Bending your knees on skates

Part 2 - Why

In the previous article I explored good posture, how to bend your knees, and how to work on increasing that kneebend during normal skating. This article explores why you should bend your knees in more detail, with focus on speed.

Want to go fast?

One of the biggest reasons for major knee bend is that it increases the size of your push. A bigger push means that you will be able to skate faster, all else being the same.

I got my son to take a series of photographs, in three different positions, and from the front and side. The two sets with recreational kneebend resulted in a roughly 50cm baseline push size, whilst the speedskating posture was over 80cm.

All stances were balanced with the pushing leg completely straight, and very little weight on the pushing skate. Although posed, this would be the moment after weight transfer and setdown. Push size was measured from the toe wheel of the balancing skate straight across to the toe wheel of the pushing skate. Kneebend angle was measured from the side-on photographs using a goniometer.

As you can see the legs form a rough right angled triangle in this position, and with body geometry for any particular person fixed, the only way to get a longer push is to get lower at the hips.

Recreational kneebend, recreational stance:

Push size: ~50cm

Kneebend angle - 132 degrees

Recreational kneebend, overbend at the hips.

(aka cheating - getting your head low might be good aerodynamically, but it does nothing for kneebend and push size). I've seen quite a few speedskaters who are guilty of this one.

Push size: ~50cm

Kneebend angle - 134 degrees

Speedskating kneebend, normal speed posture.

Push size: ~80 cm

Kneebend angle - 99 degrees

Not only is the push 1.6 times larger than the two other postures above, but the angle of the pushing skate and leg is much more laid over. This means the amount of lateral force will be considerably higher, assuming perfect weight transfer during the stride. More lateral force is how you generate more speed.

Conclusion

If you want to go fast, you've got to get your butt down low to the ground, where your thighs and glutes burn and shake, and then learn to acclimatize your body to that posture. Getting your butt down low involves both ankle bend and knee bend, but the critical one is kneebend. If the goniometer shows little kneebend, then that's a key sign of your posture being wrong.

Some people cheat, and skate with their rears high up in the air, but it's a weakness, and never looks as good or performs as well. This often feels like major kneebend because your head is low to the ground, but it doesn't count. Others cheat their kneebend by taking lots of little strides very often, but again, there's no substitute for kneebend angle. Taking lots of strides very often when they are rather bigger strides will soon show how good posture defeats this. Little kneebend equals a small stride size. Anyone who says kneebend angle isn't that important is talking out of their hat.

Bill Begg puts it as "to imagine you're lowering yourself on the throne".

Careful

Be careful when skating with increased kneebend. Like any exercise, you must listen to your body, and don't overload it before it's ready to handle the extra workout you're giving it. Going straight low down to the speedskating kneebend shown above when you're not used to regular training at high kneebend angles will almost certainly be a recipe for injury. Little and often, increasing kneebend by a few degrees every couple of weeks is the safer way to go about this.

Kwan says Korean skater Kim is good role model

Jan 5, 4:50 am EST

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)—Five-time world champion figure skater Michelle Kwan says South Korea’s Kim Yu-na is an influential role model for future champions from the Asian nation.

Kwan, visiting South Korea this week as a goodwill ambassador for the U.S. State Department, led a training

session in downtown Seoul for young skaters preparing for the Special Olympics.

“I know they all look up to Yu-na Kim. It’s a very big compliment when (Kim) said ‘I looked up to you Michelle when I was very young,”’ Kwan said.

Kim, the reigning world champion, is South Korea’s first hope for an Olympic medal in figure skating. The 19-year-old is currently training in Canada in preparation for the Vancouver Winter Games.

She said in August that she grew up idolizing Kwan, who also won a silver medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and a bronze at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

Kim invited Kwan to perform with her at an exhibition last year, the American skater’s first trip to South Korea.

Kwan, now 29, told reporters that the Kim will be grappling with the pressure of competing at her first Olympics. Her advice: Enjoy the games.

Dressed in a blue Team USA sweat shirt, Kwan spent an hour Tuesday guiding 11 young skaters in spins, jumps and crossovers.

She had arrived in South Korea on Sunday, but was forced to cancel master classes Monday because of a snowstorm that was the heaviest on record. Kwan also is slated to visit with U.S. troops while in Korea.

“I know that these kids have a good role model, and that’s Yu-na Kim,” she said. “Hopefully in the future, they will be future world champions.”

Skaters frozen out of city

Posted By DEANNA CLARK , STAFF WRITER

Posted 5 hours ago

For those who want to go skating outdoors over the holidays you may have to head north.

The Mac Johnson Wildlife Area's rink was attracting lots of skaters and outdoor enthusiasts yesterday and, so far, it is the only operating outdoor rink in town - well, north of town.

Brockville's rinks, including the popular one on Laurier Boulevard beside the toboggan hill, the Rotary pad, and the River Rink at Hardy Park aren't suitable for blades yet -and may not be ready over the holidays, according to Valerie Harvey, acting director of parks and recreation.

"It's all weather-dependent for us," said Harvey.

"There's no guarantee we'll have anything up and running for the holidays," she said Monday afternoon.

But efforts are being made, Harvey said, to have them opened as soon as possible.

At the Laurier Boulevard site, the city hired a contractor, D&D Tree Service, to clear away a covering of snow. Harvey explained the city's equipment is too heavy for the condition of the underlying ice right now.

The contractor was able to use a smaller Bobcat to remove the snow without causing any damage.

With that insulating layer of snow removed by D&D on Monday, Harvey said the ice will have a better chance of thickening in a uniform fashion.

"It's to get the cooler temperatures to it," said Harvey.

Water which collects in the area also varies in depth from about one inch to a few feet, which also can cause problems, she said.

"Its intended opening date at this point is unknown," Harvey said of the Laurier rink.

Meanwhile, city staff and volunteers were set to start work on the River Rink, according to Harvey.

"We're just starting to do the base," she said.

Harvey stressed, however, this rink is also vulnerable.

The weather forecast is predicting warmer temperatures later this week, which could throw a wrench into getting the rinks up and running while school children are still out for the holidays.

So, while the rinks in the city begin to take shape, people have the option of heading out to what the Back Pond for their desired amount of outdoor skating.

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, which operates the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area, has information on its website about rink conditions and a number to call for updates.

The site states both the Little Creek Conservation Area in Kingston and Mac Johnson Wildlife Area near Tincap are open during the holidays.

For up-to-date information on ski trail and rink conditions, call the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area at 345-1990.

Skating event to raise money for local skaters

By AUTUMN GROOMS |Lee Newspapers

A figure skating show Saturday at the Onalaska OmniCenter will feature the talents of three Minnesota state figure skating champions as well as many area skaters.

Holiday on Ice is a first-time event for the Tri-State Toe Picks Figure Skating Club and offers the organization a way to recruit new members and generate some funds, treasurer Colleen Flatten said.
“We start with those who can’t skate and go all the way up,” Flatten said. “We have fun and learn a lot.”

The 14-member Toe Pick show class will open and close the event with a routine they have spent months rehearsing.

They will be followed by the Minnesota state figure skating champions novice ladies champion Shannon Brakke and fifth-place finisher Stevie Schuessler, as well as the intermediate men’s champion Ryan Santee.

Local performers will include Christina Blomquist, Jessica Horner, Katie Mormann and Jessica Verbist.

The Toe Picks conduct instructional programs at the OmniCenter and are accepting new skaters of all abilities. Additional information can be found at www.toepicks.org.

Tony Hawk: Ride Skateboard Bundle Ships Tuesday

Topic: Holiday Gift Guide
Posted on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

The new Tony Hawk: Ride Skateboard Bundle needs no wrapping, the box containing the skateboard controller already looks pretty hot. Announced in May the new skateboard simulation game ships Tuesday, November 17th.

The Tony Hawk: Ride is a motion-sensitive board controller translating your body motions into the game. No buttons, no thumbs, no analog sticks are necessary enabling a real skateboard simulation.

The Tony Hawk: Ride Skateboard Bundle is availalble for Wii, Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 and sells for $119.99 on Amazon.com.

Skaters make good roll models

By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: November 11, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Roy Paz employs many skills as a veteran Tampa police officer, but the training that gives him the most joy and keeps him in tip-top condition happens on a skating rink.

For more than 30 years, Paz has honed his skills on indoor and outdoor speed skating tracks. Although he never pursued the sport as a career, speed skating has remained his favorite pastime.

"It teaches good values, hard work and dedication," said Paz, 42. "It carries over to my professional life and helps me stay in shape."

Paz, a husband and father of three, said the time he spends on wheels now is more enjoyable because his family shares his passion.

Paz was thrilled to be able to expose his wife, Vivian, and the couple's three children, Anna, 13, Samantha, 12, and R.J., 4, to the sport that helped him earn the title as the Tampa police officer with the fastest time - 2 minutes, 42 seconds - to complete the department's obstacle course.

"The SWAT team guys, I got them by one second," Paz said, flashing a sheepish grin.

For Paz, life is all about challenges. His newest one will test his ability to train and develop a new crop of inline speed skating enthusiasts.

He is forming a national-level team under the Florida Associated Speed Team umbrella, which Paz describes as the largest organization of inline speed skating teams in the country.

"We want to grow the sport here in Tampa," Paz said.

The affable law enforcement officer is now known as "coach" by 18 aspiring speed skaters, who range from as young as Paz's 4-year-old, R.J., to middle-aged adults.

They are members of Team FAST, a competitive inline speed skating program based at USA Skateplex, 5313 E. Busch Blvd. The new satellite team joins other Florida- and Georgia-based skaters to train and compete in local, national and international events.

The team normally practices twice a week - 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. The coach will occasionally add a third practice session, when the rink is available.

Paz said he is excited about taking on the task of potentially developing the next great Olympian.

Inline speed skating is not an Olympic-sanctioned sport. However, Olympians Apolo Ohno, Derek Parra and Eric Heiden all started their speed skating careers on inline or quad skates before they switched to ice.

Interest in Team FAST has been exciting, attracting a mix of city and suburban dwellers of various ages and from diverse backgrounds, Paz said.

He described it as a grassroots effort, led mostly by tweens and teenagers who showed up for the first time on recreational inline skates or "quads," four-wheel roller skates.

"Everybody is coming in to see if they like it," the new coach said. "Several families say they love it and want to sign up for the team."
Tampa police officer Veronica Hamilton and her two boys, Travis Hills, 12, and Malachiah Hills, 6, were one of those families.

Hamilton, who learned to skate on quads as a child in Tampa, said she promised Paz she and her boys would get involved if he started a team.

Now Hamilton is training to one day compete on inline speed skates. And so is Paz's wife, Vivian.

"I never put on inline skates until recently," Vivian Paz said. "I roller-skated. I love to go fast. I love that freedom."

The art of learning to speed skate is being dedicated and focused and having a lot of fun while doing it, Roy Paz said.

"Inline speed skating is a sport where someone with relatively little or no inline skating experience can learn to skate and compete in a matter of weeks," he said.

Paz expects from 10 percent to 15 percent of his first-year skaters will qualify for the Indoor U.S. National Speed Skating competition this season.

No matches will be held at the Skateplex this season. Team FAST will be a road squad, taking on other Florida teams, including those that train at the United Skates of America Center, 5121 N. Armenia Ave., and Town & Country Skateworld, 7510 Paula Drive, both in Tampa. Invitational meets will include teams from across the country.

"A lot of people involved in speed skating think it's intimidating," Paz said.

He begs to differ. That has not been Paz's experience with the sport. He has seen nothing but positive results. "It helps people come out of their shell," Paz said.

That wasn't necessary for Dyllon Harris. The active 11-year-old, who is in sixth grade at Terrace Community Middle School, is full of energy and always ready to compete.

"I used to do hockey, but I wanted to try speed skating to see if I wanted to stick with it," Dyllon said.

Dyllon's mother, Kim, said she is in awe of her son's speed on the rink.

"He's really fast; this is where he shines," said Kim Harris of Temple Terrace. "He is a soccer player, too. It keeps him busy."

Ryan Brown, 13, of Riverview, who attends Young Middle School, said speed skating practice is how he relaxes after finishing his homework.

Robbie Burt of Temple Terrace said his daughter, Haley Newman, 8, who attends Mango Elementary, hasn't missed a practice session since the team formed.

Catherine Thrift said her daughter, April, a first-grader at Pizzo Elementary, has been skating almost nonstop since she turned 6 in March.

Although skater Brooke Hunter, 13, is slightly older than Paz's daughters, Anna and Samantha, she looks to the Adams Middle School students as role models.

"It's the best sport ever," said Anna, who dreams of becoming a competitive speed skater. "Since I could walk, I was on skates."

Her sister, Samantha, enjoys the time the family spends together.

"I think it's really fun and to have your dad as your coach is special," she said.

Paz said he hopes to instill in his children the good, solid values he picked up through his involvement with speed skating.

"The sport has helped me in so many ways," Paz said. "It gives you confidence and a feeling that there is nothing you can't do."

ON A ROLL

WHAT: Team FAST. Training under way for Tampa's newest inline speed skating team. Registration is available for new skaters.

Skate Shoes

There are a number of different styles of Ipath skate shoes. They are said to be the most comfortable shoes on the market. Don’t believe me? Try them yourself. And that’s not all, they have a great look to them too.

Some of the different types Ipath skate shoes are the Shearling shoes. They are warm for those cold days and will reassure you that you will not freeze. They have awesome leather with a cushioned insole and reinforced heel and logos in all the best places.

Another shoe is called the Ipath cat. It has a lightly padded inside for a good fit and balance and support. This is the shoe for you especially runners. It would be good for you because they are light and are not heavily padded leaving you room for air.

Next is the Ipath ras. It is a very clean grip skate to make sure you don’t fall and the top has a leather/suede combination. It is triple stitched for strength. It also includes durable rubber outsoles. So if you like what you here this may be the shoe for you.

Another incredible shoe is called the Ipath grasshopper. The colors come in black/Rasta hemp, Mocha/brown leather, and brown hemp. This colorful shoe is made with Velcro so it is easy to get on and off. It is also padded on the inside for comfort and is breathable. This skate shoe is made with rubber soles for flexibility and is triple stitched leaving you a pleasant feeling of security.

Made with suede and leather is the Centennial. Along with its great looks this shoe is a triple stitched comfort with awesome color combinations. How do they do this? It has breathable material on the toes to make sure the smell can get out and to keep you nice and cool when you work or play hard inside or out. Also made of this soft fabric for a long lasting time is the tongue of this amazing shoe that will leave you speechless from the texture and you would be happy about you’re decision of this wonderful shoe.