Learning to skate is a rite of passage for many Canadian children, helping them gain self-confidence while enjoying physical activity. But for their parents, it can be a nail-biting exercise in self-restraint because falling – repeatedly – is all part of the experience. Most young children spend a lot of time examining the ice surface in a prone, rather than upright position.

While parents hold their collective breath as youngsters trip and toddle across the ice, you can ensure that your would-be ice skating star starts off on the right skate blade. Many children will be enrolled in a learn-to-skate or pre-school hockey program offered at the Excellent Ice 3on3 in Kirkland, QC or with the Dollard Hockey Association in Dollard des Ormeaux, QC. But most importantly, parents can protect their children from injuries as they learn the fundamentals of skating and basic skills, such as balance and control.

Canadian manufacturer Dynowear has developed protective padded underclothing for children as a way to reduce the potential severity of sports and recreation-related injuries. Based on the experiences of its founders, the company was established to address the lack of basic protection options available to parents of children who were learning to skate. Since then, working with an expert team of market researchers, industrial and fashion designers, and skating instructors and coaches, Dynowear has developed a line of protective active wear and accessories specifically designed to provide protection for children of different ages and sizes.

Dynowear’s full-body protective undergarment protects a child’s elbows, knees, hips and tailbone from bumps and bruises when falling on a hard surface. The two-piece suit with integrated neoprene foam pads is light enough to be worn under clothing, such as a snowsuit. It easily transitions to any winter sport, such as tobogganing, skiing or snowboarding.

It replaces removable or individual pads (such as knees and elbows) that are typically “borrowed” from other sports gear. Plus, the form-fitting polyester/spandex material allows for a full range of movement, so children are not hindered by bulky or clumsy pads that shift and need constant adjustment.

Dynowear has also introduced an exclusive cut-resistant glove designed to protect a child’s hands from cuts that may be sustained from falls. How many times do you see youngsters lying on the ice? Their exposed hands are easy targets for other inexpert skaters.

The spills and sprawls are painful reminders that learning to ice skate takes practice. But parents can put their fears “on ice” and buy a little piece of mind.