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ASK MR. EDGE
November 2004
Mr. Edge is a qualified skate technician with years and years of experience. He can answer your questions on boots, blades and foot problems related to your equipment. Questions will be answered in SKATING magazine and later posted on the web site.
It's that time again!
For those of you who have been following along for some time now, you may have noticed that every once in a while I'll throw in a bit of humor to lighten things up.
Well, since the holidays are fast approaching and everyone is soon to be in good cheer, I thought I'd share a little something that crossed my desktop. Many years ago I used to joke around a bit and tell skating parents that there should be warning labels put on skates. It appears that I'm not the only one who agrees with this.
I'd like to dedicate this column to all the skating parents and especially us older skaters out there — the over 35 group. As they say, truth is stranger than fiction.
This story is true and was sent in by Ken Hammarstrom from Taberg, N.Y.
During the past several years we have all had the good fortune to have numerous bits of information placed in front of us. While opening a letter from my doctor, I discovered a huge error on someone's part. As I read through this bit of information, my blood pressure went past the safety zone and into hazardous horizons. After I made the all-important phone call, the secretary apologized for the error. In short, this letter should have had a warning label!
Just about all medications come with a warning label that warns the person of all possible side effects. However, I have never seen a warning label on a box of new skating boots. If there were such a label attached, this is what it should read — “CAUTION: This product is capable of inflicting severe hardship on a person's physical well-being. If allowed to continue, this product may cause an addictive lifelong habit for which there is no known remedy. This product may also cause severe damage to a person's financial well-being.” Now the young skater has his or her new boots and is getting around the rink quite well. The skater has seen others doing huge jumps and spectacular spins. Has the new skater read the warning label?
Now just suppose that the skater is part of the over-the-hill gang. Skaters over the age of 35 (me included) are the ones who should have read the dreaded warning label.
Several years ago I had the opportunity to try a double Salchow. The ice was great. I was in reasonably good physical repair, so I took the leap. I managed to make it to the nearest hospital unassisted but with the company of severe pain. Had I read the warning label?
My body was working overtime in order to heal. My injury was only to one side of my body, so I could just use the other side. Well, a groin pull is no fun for an adult. If I had only read the warning label I may not have gotten myself into this situation.
That was all ice beneath my blades. I eventually recovered and was back on the ice in about nine months flat. During my downtime, the days went as fast as molasses in the month of February in the state of New York.
Summer skate was just a few short months away, so I had the brilliant idea of buying a new and better blade. The purchase was made, the old blades removed, and the new ones put on. I felt extremely confident. The new blades, however, did not have a warning label attached. The blades should have had the following warning label written in bright, bold red lettering — “CAUTION: This blade has the possibility to cause extreme injury to the skater. It is recommended that the skater use them with extreme caution for the first 60 days.”
Even with a warning label attached, would I have read it?
With Summer Skate now in full swing, I was going to make that double Salchow, even if it killed me. Well, the jump didn't kill me, but the torn ACL sure did my knee a lot of damage. Some time later I finally had the surgery that would heal my wounded anatomy. Two years have passed, and my badly damaged knee is now as good as new.
Now if there had only been a warning label!
I hope everyone can get a little chuckle from this and see the true irony of it all. At some point in time I think we've all had a similar experience, hopefully with a slightly better ending. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Mr. Edge and all related elements are property of Arena Sports & Consulting Services, Inc. ©2013. Send your questions to Mr. Edge via mail (Ask Mr. Edge, SKATING magazine, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906); FAX (719) 635-9548 or e-mail them online.
The opinions of Mr. Edge are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Figure Skating or SKATING magazine. Remember, if you have problems with your feet, check with a doctor – the problem may very well be with your boot, but it could be more serious. Check with your local pro shop for more information about boots and blades.
