What skates does my child need, and how must the blades be prepared?

The Red Book sets safety requirements for the blades rather than a brand or boot type:

• All skates must have the tubes closed.
• The rear and front tips of the blades must be rounded to a minimum radius of 1 cm. The rounder the tips, the better.
• To check, the tips should be rounded to about the radius of a Canadian nickel.

These apply to short track training and competition at SSC Championship, National, International, Ability and Age Class sanctioned events. Skaters also need the protective gear listed in the other answers (helmet, cut-resistant clothing, neck, ankle, shin and knee protection, eye protection and gloves).

Source: SSC Procedures and Regulations (Red Book), updated July 16, 2026, D3-100 (Skate Blades).