MONTREAL - Skate Canada's official policy since July requires all figure skating students to wear CSA approved hockey helmets until they reach Stage 6.
And not all have been thrilled by the new rules.
"Some people were angry about the fact that their skater didn't have to wear her helmet last year and now had to buy one this year," said Amelie Vigneault of Skate Canada. "Some parents we're angry to buy a helmet because it's an additional cost."
The Skate Canada directive states that skaters who choose to wear helmets beyond Stage 6 will not be subject to deductions in tests or competitions.
Some skaters themselves were irritated at the extra piece of equipment, including Erin Itzcovitch whose progress to level six allowed her to ditch the shell.
"I skated as fast as I could to my mom and I just threw it," she said.
Skate Canada has not made available any study or statistics demonstrating whether concussions or other head injury has been an issue with figure skating.
But many agree that safety is more important than the feeling of skating with wind in hair.
"You want the kids to look cute on the ice but most important is safety," Zoe Lodge, Figure Skating Coach.
More people have complained about the policy in Quebec than in other provinces, according to Skate Canada.
And some parents are perplexed that the mandatory lids have become an issue.
"I didn't really understand because to me it was a bit of a no-brainer really," said parent Karen Roche.
