Figure skatingSkating in the 21st Century

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Have you ever wondered how skaters get into the air to do those amazing quad and triple jumps?

The first line of success comes from solid coaching and good habits that are encouraged in a skater from their very first waltz jump. Good takeoff, aerial and landing positions create the foundation and then there is the question of body type and natural jumping ability. For great jumping, it is very difficult to have one without the other.

Along with ongoing refinements in technique there have been other advancements that have happened along the way. The computerized program known as Dartfish is one of the tools that have made its way into skating.

Toronto-area coach, Ellen Gould has been using it for 2 1/2 years and describes it this way: "It takes video to a whole new level by being able to show skaters the correct method for jumping in addition to their errors."

This is accomplished by superimposing a skater's jump on top of one that is done by (potentially) someone else with a greater degree of execution or quality. She has been using Dartfish successfully on skaters from the most basic preliminary level to senior elite skaters.

"Most people are visual learners and Dartfish gives them immediate visual feedback on their jump," Gould, who has consulted with many skaters, including: Canada's Patrick Chan, says.

Computers and advancements in technology seem inevitable but what else is giving today's skaters the edge? To the untrained eye it might seem that skates are skates are skates.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Debi Blain, the Marketing Manager for Jackson Ultima Skates Inc., was able to make the comparisons and as a former national synchro skater knows first-hand from whence she speaks. Today's skates are much stiffer than they were once upon a time that would make one think that they should be substantially heavier. The use of cork in the soles and lighter and heat moldable materials for the boot has contributed to a boot that is 17 per cent lighter than its predecessors. Jackson introduced a blade called Matrix that is up to 33 per cent lighter than conventional blades. Lighter but stiffer is what skaters today are looking for in order to get those jumps.

In a recent conversation, two-time Olympic silver medallist, Elvis Stojko told of his SK brand skates that were made out of bullet proof material with a steel shank which were so heavy that one of his skates weighed as much as two of today's Jackson skates.  

Breaking in skates and making them comfortable is an individual thing. Many skaters used to put their socked foot in hot water and then into the boot in order to try and get the leather to mold to their feet.  Today's skaters have their new boot heated (in a convection oven) and once it is put on the skater, it molds to their foot and this has improved the fit tremendously.

Skaters "break down" their skates, making them no longer usable. This happens at a rate that is determined by the skater's personal preferences and by how hard they are on their equipment. Blain said that Jackson supports national athletes with an equipment sponsorship program and offered that the now-retired Canadian Vaughn Chipeur (who was a huge jumper) would go through two or three pairs a year but Canadian pairs champions Bryce Davison and Jessica Dube might only go through one pair a year each.

Individual attention in all ways is what skaters need in order for them to achieve their potential. Enter Toronto-area coach Kent Grice with his own brand of skater support.   For the past 10 years of his 30-plus year career, Grice has been using a mobile jumping harness, to help skaters get the most out of their jumps. He initially started as a way of helping his own clientele and his business has blossomed into offering support for 20 or so coaches and about 100 skaters.

For all intents and purposes, the mobile jumping harness looks like a fishing pole that has a giant rubber extension band that runs between the skater and a swivel at the top of the pole. There are also stationary harnesses in many clubs that use a pulley system attached to a belt that is around the skater's middle to help them achieve rotation in their jumps.

The issue with the stationary harness is that as the coach holds onto the line attached to the skater, the skater jumps three to four more inches higher than they could achieve unassisted.

With more height comes more time for the required number of revolutions for a jump and this extra 'hang time' can give a skater a false sense of security about their own ability.  On the other hand, by using the mobile jumping harness, Grice can skate right alongside the skater staying as close as possible while they jump.  By not helping more than one or two percent (based on the size of the skater), Grice ensures that what is being developed is not only solid technique, but confidence in a skater's own ability. He can follow the skater at their speed on their path as they head into the jump.

"The biggest thing is the safety factor," Grice says. "I can soften the blow of a bad landing for these skaters at any level from 'babies' to senior men. By allowing skaters to go through their highest level jumps without fear of really hurting themselves they can feel success."

His method is to try not to help at the beginning of the jump but a little more at the top of the jump and then to help stabilize the skater on the landing.

He elaborates: "If the skater can step up, transfer and rotate the jump that gives them a lot of confidence to be able to try it successfully on their own."

He has been kicked and knocked over accidentally from time to time, and good-naturedly says, "It comes with the territory."

He sees his role as helping the skater develop their confidence. Offering stability, encouragement, technique modifications and time for muscle memory to be acquired are the keys to Grice's success. Canadian ice dancer Paul Poirier, seen landing this beautiful triple Axel in practice in 2008 is the proof in the pudding.

Grice thinks if this harness had been around when he was competing, he would have had a much easier time with his triple jumps. He is proud to be helping skaters achieve their potential

"The sign of a good coach is to not help too much and to try and make the skaters feel like they are doing it on their own."

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