What to Bring to a Figure Skating Competition

Update: Thanks to my friend K.R., I have a printable checklist for parents to download. You have to be a member of my Google Group to do it, but it's painless and free. Click here to download the checklist in Word.

I’m making a list for Ice Girl. For the next figure skating competition, and all those thereafter, she’s limited to bringing just the things on her list in her Zuca, in the van, and to the rink.

My van was spotless before last weekend’s figure skating competition. I had that puppy emptied out, washed, waxed, and steam cleaned. The van even had an artificial lemon scent. Despite my cleaning efforts, I spent the 15 minutes before Ice Girl’s freeskate event searching through newly accumulated debris for some ankle braces, which should have been in Ice Girl’s Zuca. Instead, I found old figure skating reference books, a SkateStrong manual, a GameBoy, a pair of p.j.’s, and some random junk. How many ankle braces? Just one. Ice Girl has, um, two ankles.

We also needed extra skate laces, which should have been in the bag, but are probably under Ice Girl’s bed. Wait. She cleaned under there. Those laces probably made a run for it and are halfway toward some tropical location by now, because they sure weren’t in that stupid bag. (Thanks, Renee, for the lace rescue.)

So. Ice Girl gets this list for the next figure skating competition. She will not bring anything extra, because we don’t have time to sift through the flotsam and jetsam to find corn pads or bobby pins. Next competition, this stuff will be in its assigned pocket or Ice Mom is going to be pretty crabby, I can tell you. I bet Ice Mom will start chucking junk out of the van like monkeys throw poo at the zoo. Duck and run, kids: Ice Mom’s been pushed over the edge.

I’ve listed each item, some with reasons. Those with links have a previous post associated with them.

Skate bag contents

• Ankle braces (if skater requires it)
• Break-in pads (in case of blisters)
• Cooler with waters and snacks
• Corn pads
• Exercise mat for warm-ups
• Garment bags with dresses, plus one extra
• Gloves - both should match, black or white in color, no holes
• Hard guards (2 pairs)
• Inhaler, meds (if skater requires it)
• Make-up
• Skates
• Skating binder – include event schedule
• Soakers (1 pair)
• Socks
• Street clothes – including socks
• Stuffed animal mascot
• Teen magazine, iPod, GameBoy (pick one)
• Tights, no holes
• Tissues
• Towel to wipe blades dry
• Two copies of all music on different CD brands (stow a few in the glove compartment, too)
• Undergarments – straps are not optional
• Warm-up jacket
• Water bottle

Hair bag contents

• Bobby pins
• Brush
• Comb
• Glitter spray
• Hair gel
• Hair net, plus extras
• Hair spray
• Pony tail holders
• Scrunchies
• Sock donut

Emergency kit contents

• Band-aids
• Extra laces
• Extra socks
• Extra tights
• Safety pins
• Screw driver for blades
• Stain remover

Parents’ list of stuff to haul

• Blanket
• Camera
• Cash for coffee and unhealthy snacks
• Checkbook – the figure skating world runs on checks
• Coach’s phone number programmed in cell phone
• Coins for the meter or tolls
• Cooler with drinks, healthy snacks
• Event schedule
• Maps of the area – one local attraction, one local restaurant
• Muffins, scones, or other morning food
• Something to read
• Warm jacket

Bottom line: Love you, Ice Girl, but I can’t take the stress of having a broken lace with no replacement five minutes before your warm-up ice. You managed to wipe your blades, wipe your mind, and start fresh before your event, but let’s face it: we’d all do better without the stress of missing stuff. And Ice Mom’s getting tired of eating bananas and listening to monkey jokes.

Did I forget something? Add to the list in the comments, please. Ice Girl competes again in two weeks, so we need the essentials, but nothing more. If you have a story to share, feel free to do so, as well! Monkey jokes? Well, if you must.