Low-end skates, other outdoor equipment selling well at Regina sports store

It could be tough to secure a pair of skates if you’re headed to an outdoor rink.

For at least one Regina store, low-end skates have been flying off the shelves.

Donny Uhren, the general manager of Extreme Hockey, said it’s been tough at times to keep up with the demand.

“We’re seeing a high volume of people coming in and inquiring … It’s a quick turnaround. They don’t last very long, which is a good problem to have. Plus, we do have an influx coming in,” he said.

“The demand is huge.”

The store has also seen more people interested in snowshoes and equipment used for hiking, like special water bottles.

He believes the interest comes thanks mostly to people spending more time outdoors, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He sees that as a silver lining to a difficult situation.

“There’s obviously a huge amount of cons, but on the other side … there are some pros in there. This is one of them … It’s awesome, in my opinion, for the public to realize that activity and health is a big priority. We’re reassessing our health strategies with COVID, but at the same time getting out there and being more active,” he said.

The pandemic has still been a major challenge for the business. Uhren said it has been difficult to sell hockey gear since the province cancelled games.

If you do manage to get your hands on a pair of skates, it won’t feel like a typical January out on the ice. Temperatures are forecast to stay unseasonably mild for at least a week or so.