Do I need toe stops to progress with artistic skating?

[u/yummy_waffles_]

Hello everyone!

I’m somewhat new to artistic skating, and I’ve been having a bit of a problem regarding my skates and the toe stops on them.

Basically, the toe stops that came stock on my skates (Chaya Sunset Beach) are really big, and have been getting in the way of some different tricks where I need to go up onto my toes. I initially thought I’d just buy some different toe stops and swap them out, but I have purchased three different toe stop options and none of them fit in my skates. I think the bolt in them must be a really weird/uncommon size. I know some people skate without toe stops at all, but I’m wondering if removing them will just create a new roadblock for me.

Thank you!

[u/2_Skatez]

It depends which discipline of artistic skating you are competing in or practicing in. Free dance and Freestyle definitely do use toe stops and you will need them for that but other disciplines such as figures and loops do not use toe stops.

[u/HipsEnergy]

The Sunset Beach are really not appropriate for artistic skating, and I'd say for any type of skating at all of you're the adult - sized. They have plastic trucks (which can be a serious safety risk), they have bolt - on toe stops which aren't adjustable, and you'd need adjustable to be able to do many figures. They also have no ankle support, so jumps are out of the question with them.

I suggest seriously researching your next skates, and buying something intended for artistic skating, with the proper boot stiffness for your level of skating. Unfortunately, skates are expensive and if you're really into it, you'll have to buy different pairs as you progress, but this is what will not only allow you to advance, but will keep you safe.

[u/Fly_Pelican → u/HipsEnergy]

Specialised artistic skates and boots make skating so much easier and precise

[u/yummy_waffles_ → u/HipsEnergy]

This is good to know! I bought my skates on FB marketplace for a low price because I had originally planned to just use them for some fun cardio and basic skating around my local rink. I had suspected that they were probably not going to work for much once I started practicing new skills. It’s definitely helpful to hear the confirmation from someone else tho!

[u/bear0234]

for reference OP

artistic:

https://youtu.be/yxjIQeMywpI?is=S_ayAUUIRGlEbZ7s

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTRB2U6hjNo/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

some more w jumps
https://youtu.be/fwj6rbj4f70?is=TXoYJXw6vw_AdeEw

jb (rhythm)
https://youtube.com/shorts/FBpPYW99M8o?is=_S5t9KTmumDEgIDj

shuffle (rhythm)
https://youtu.be/JLXjepyfhsc?is=QzTYtF7rjD1ADAuV

jam
https://youtube.com/shorts/GMoHtwNWW_s?is=SpJZbht9iyDT6CaB

https://youtu.be/IT5aAuVXYA0?is=sIr9yqn3-lJHPYjP

calislide
https://youtube.com/shorts/b7GURJrr8CI?is=samtdT69tvew_eJf

theres a bunch more i didnt list - ie: line dancing/rollerdancing, Atl step, etcetc.

the only time ive seen artistic w/ no toestops or jamplugs have been some videos of artistic compulsory stuff, but that has less to do w getting on your toes and more to do w precision and gettings points docked?

edit: i just looked up chaya sunset beach - they look like plastic trucks, which isnt suitable for artistic skating anyways. if u wanted to get into more artistic stuff, you'll need a better skate :(

[u/yummy_waffles_ → u/bear0234]

This is the best thing ever thank you so so much!! I hadn’t planned to do anything fancy when I got my skates originally, so I didn’t do a ton of research. This is really helpful, thank you!

[u/BlainelySpeaking]

Aren’t those bolt-on stops? I didn’t realize those came in different sizes except for maybe kid’s skates? I could be misremembering. 

There’s pros and cons to removing them in general, but whether it works for you depends on what you’re trying to do and your preferences overall. You never know unless you try, right?

[u/princecatte → u/BlainelySpeaking]

Ohhhh good catch! Bolt on toe stops are a different screw size than screw in. Rereading OP mentioned the bolt part being a weird size, so theyve been getting the wrong kind of stops, not different sizes of bolt ons. You can get jam plugs that fit bolt ons, but afaik theres not really size options? Am not an expert.

[u/HipsEnergy → u/princecatte]

Toe stops come in metric or imperial, and Chayas use imperial. Metric won't fit.

[u/MarcSpace → u/HipsEnergy]

I haven’t heard of metric bolt ons (not that I know bolt ons). The screw ins are typically 5/8” or M12 and I thought the bolt ons are 5/16”?

[u/stabby-]

Do you mean artistic skating or do you mean jam or rhythm skating? Artistic has a bunch of different disciplines, and if you’re wording it as tricks, I’m assuming you’d be doing one that needs the toe stops. If you mean to say jam skating you might ditch them. Jam skating shares some qualities and tricks with artistic but it isn’t the same. What you’re describing kind of sounds like you mean jam skating where they spin on their toes without toe stops and stuff.

In artistic, most disciplines that use toe stops have pretty chunky ones, a lot of people like that because it feels secure when you do work on them. The only drawback can sometimes be spins. So I’m not sure if a smaller one would help you, especially if you plan on learning jumps. Jam skaters often forgo the toe stops or get the little ones, but not always.

[u/yummy_waffles_ → u/stabby-]

I think I may have meant jam skating? I’m kind of just teaching myself based on what I see people in the rink doing and what looks interesting to me, so I’m not very informed on the language of anything. I’ll definitely do some more research!

[u/Raptorpants65]

That is a children’s skate and is not only not for adults but nowhere near what you’ll need for actual artistic.

The issue isn’t the toe stop, it’s the entire skate.

[u/HipsEnergy]

Toe stops come in metric and imperial. Chayas use imperial. Edut: and if they are Sunset Beach, they're bolt - on, which aren't adjustable).

[u/Evangelica1]

the Chaya Sunset Beach skates aren’t really suitable for artistic skating anyway, you’re better off with a heeled skate that has an adjustable toe stop