When you go out on a chilly winter day with friends to the rink, you’re most likely just renting any old pair of skates. However, when you’re into the sport and a part of its world, skates become more than just a shoe with blades. You start to take note of the different brands and what sets them apart from the others. One of these brands, in particular, is Jackson figure skates. Renowned in the figure skating world for a multitude of reasons, from comfort to performance-enhancing make, we’re going to break down some interesting facts about the beloved Jackson figure skates and how they have changed the ice skating world. 1. Don Jackson: Where it all began Did you know that Jackson figure skates are named after their inventor? Don Jackson, born in Cabri, Saskatchewan, in 1940, was a renowned Canadian figure skating champion whose love for figure skating led him to reach great heights in his career. In 1960, at the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California, USA, he earned the bronze medal plus four Canadian titles. Then, he went on to be the first person to successfully land a triple-lutz jump in an international competition at the 1962 World Figure Skating Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. It was his immense love and dedication to the sport, combined with an interest in product design, that led to him founding a company in 1966 with his brother, Bill, called Don Jackson Skate Products, which resulted in the now-famous Jackson figure skates. 2. Performance and comfort As most are aware, there are numerous figure skate brands with different models on the market across the world. So, what makes Jackson figure skates stand out? When Don Jackson Skate Products emerged, Don crafted a pair of figure skates that were lined with foam. Although this is not uncommon at all in today’s market, at the time, this revolutionized the world of figure skates. Up until then, this had never before been done, as skaters just would grit their teeth through the pain of performing their routines. Now, skaters could perform complicated twists, turns, and spins with not only agility, but with comfort as well, encouraging their love for the sport even more. This ground-breaking idea caused the name “Jackson” to be a staple everywhere you went when shopping for a pair of figure skates. 3. Making history not once, but twice You may have thought that adding cushioning to figure skates was about as revolutionary as you can get, but Don Jackson was a visionary with a yearning to set new standards. Less than 20 years after establishing the company, Jackson took to working on how he could transform the blades on a figure skate, and in the 1980s, he made history again. He introduced to the world what is called the “Matrix blade system,” a design that yet again set apart Jackson figure skates from other brands across the globe. These blades were made from lightweight material that allowed skaters to have more control and precision over their moves on the ice. They also had an enhanced blade profile, which meant that contact between the blade and ice was much better, allowing for better stability. In addition to this incredibly advanced technology for its time, this Matrix blade system offered a wide range of customized options that, to this day, are still focused on what is best for the skater and optimizing their performance. 4. Different companies, same quality In 1986, Don Jackson Skate Products said goodbye to being a family-owned business and was bought by Tournament Sport Marketing Inc., which was owned by Wayne Schagena and Kim Bauer. They upheld the same standards as the original owner, and Jackson figure skates continued to be a success in the market. Then, in 2021, Sport Maska Inc. came into the picture and acquired the name and product. This was a ground-breaking deal because Sport Maska Inc. is the parent company of the world-renowned CCM Hockey brand, which is known for its leading technology in both the hockey and figure skating communities. 5. Constantly and consistently evolving Over the years, Jackson figure skates have come out with even more innovative ways to improve their figure skates. In 2016, Jackson’s Heat Moldable Fit System was introduced. This technology meant that figure skaters could now have their skates fully customized through the use of heat to directly mould boots to their feet. Not only does this create an optimized fit for the skater, but it also allows them to have even better contact with the ice, leading to better stability overall. Then, in 2018, the Jackson Wrap System was unveiled to the world. This unique system, consisting of strategically placed wraps, minimized any potential internal rotation or movement that would occur inside the boot during performances. This design greatly reduced the likelihood of injuries while on the ice because skaters would now have increased stability and support. A Household Name for a Reason We hope that through this blog, you can now see why Jackson figure skates have earned their status as a popular household name and have also learned a few interesting facts along the way. Don Jackson and his love for the sport and product design paved the way for a new standard in the world of figure skating that is still upheld and sought after to this day. Despite its many company changes, Jackson figure skates continue to be the top choice and coveted brand among figure skaters everywhere for their ability to provide comfort, support, and confidence to skaters worldwide. So, next time you slip on a new pair of Jackson figure skates and feel the plush cushioning beneath your toes, remember that it is a testament to Don Jackson’s pioneering vision and impact in the figure skating world you have to thank. For more information and for all your figure skating needs, call Figure Skating Boutique at 1-866-957-0396 or contact us online.
