I always save those little silica packets from whenever i buy new things (which is often) and I've been using them inside the toe areanto speed up the drying process when airing my skates as it seems to take A WHILE..  It seems to work. I just dry them on a windowsill after so they can be used again.

Brackets. I hate brackets and don’t understand their purpose, if I want to go backwards I just do a FO3. I can’t do brackets.

Brackets are a thing of joy!  Well, when you get your head round them.  Try thinking of them in the context of compulsory figures and the tracing on the ice, as that might help.  They're not a "bog standard" way of turning from backwards to forwards, but skating is about beautiful movements and flowing transitions, and brackets - along with rockers and counters - are a part of those.  Edge work.  It's really important and mastering it takes the rest of your skating up several levels.

Those turns mess with your head, though, when you're trying to learn them. 

Do not worry about this, Squeeze.  Three weeks off is one thing, but new boots/blades means that everything is completely thrown.  It will get better.  (Also, make sure that your blades don't need grinding.  A factory grind is no fun to skate on.)

If your skates are leather, DO NOT put them on the radiator.  The direct heat will kill the leather.

Good point. Mine are of course made from plastic. 

Hello! If you're in London on June 16 and would like to see some adult skaters giving their best efforts, LAFSC is putting on a charity skating gala:


Tickets and more info here: https://www.funzing.com/sd/srIRYQ[/font][/size]