Nick Perna’s Freedom Skate Blades

Michael Weiss has incorporated cool new moves done of the back of his Freedom Blades. PSA Master rated skating coach and former competitive pairs skater Nick Perna invented Mike’s secret weapon. In fact, Nick has been testing out his inventions on Michael since the former US Champ was in the Pole Harness.

Nick’s “PIC Frame” basically turned roller blades into functional off-ice ice skates. “PIC Frames” allow figure skaters to train and perform their spins, jumps, spirals and footwork out side the rink.

Now his “Freedom Blades” have further blurred the world between ice and in-line skating. Perna created the special skating blade with the back metal rounded up to the boot heel. This allows skaters to incorporate some of the same tricks only previously maneuverable on the back wheels of in-line skates. Additionally, Nick adjusted the blade to fit the specific needs of ice dancers. In other words, the Freedom Dance Blade is twizzle-friendly.

Watch 2004 British Senior Mens Champion John Hamer demonstrate some of the smooth moves ice skaters can do on Freedom Blades. Other top skaters, such as: Sasha Cohen, Sarah & Emily Hughes, Johnny Weir, and Kyoko Ina & John Zimmerman, have worked with Nick as well.

The blade is reported to have no negative affect on jumps, and it is – so far – approved by the ISU. According to the John Watts Freedom Blade marketing website, the International Skating Union rule that governs (read: “approves”) the new figure skating blades is Rule 304. Actually, the rule mentions nothing about blades.

"Figure skating blades used during competitions and tests must be sharpened to produce a flat to concave cross section without change to the width of the blade as measured between the two edges. However, a slight tapering or narrowing of the cross section of the blade is permitted."

Surya Bonaly is similarly talented in skating and innovation. When the ISU pointed out that back flips were illegal in figure skating competitions because all jumps must be landed on one leg, Surya flew in the face of judges and governing bodies and landed hers on one leg. Soon after her defiance, there was a rule put in place that bans any type of backflip on ice altogether.

Should the ISU ban Freedom Blades from eligible competition, or will new elements revolutionize the sport as we know it and become the norm? Incidentally, all manufacturers, except one, turned away Perna’s new blade design. These special blades are comparatively inexpensive, so I encourage skaters to try them, and let us know what you think. You can download a brochure and pricelists at www.johnwatts.force9.co.uk

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