A scribe is a giant compass that draws circles on the ice. You can use one to draw your circles before skating your figures or to check your work after you've done them. They're no longer common in stores, but they are still available. Scott Irvine makes and sells custom scribes. Figure 8 Boutique has… Continue reading What is a scribe, and where do I get one?
Category: FAQ
What if I don’t have a scribe?
You can pace out a circle using bladelengths or steps. Mark the center of your eight and measure eight to ten bladelengths or about four paces. Make a mark. This is the center of your circle. Measure eight to ten bladelengths or about for paces further along the long axis and make a mark. Measure… Continue reading What if I don’t have a scribe?
How big should my circles be?
Ice In general, the diameter of the circle should be approximately three times the height of the skater. To set your scribe to the right length, calculate your height in inches and multiply by 1.5. A skater who is five feet tall should use a setting of 60 inches times 1.5 = 90 inches, or… Continue reading How big should my circles be?
There are no patch sessions near me! How can I do figures?
Look for poorly attended freestyle and public skating sessions. These may be early in the morning or in the middle of the day, depending on the time of year and your local rink culture. Then, go and do figures. The conditions are less than ideal—people will probably skate right through your patch—but you’ll be able… Continue reading There are no patch sessions near me! How can I do figures?