When it comes to winter activities, there are a wide variety of options to choose from. That being said, it’s hard to argue with ice skating when it comes to the fun factor! Skating isn’t just fun either. Skating can give you a mix of adrenaline from skating fast with the satisfaction of getting quality exercise.
Learning to skate isn’t always easy, but it’s certainly worth it. You’ll fall, but that’s just part of the process. Once you’re an experienced skater, there’s something about flying around on skates that sort of simplifies the world around you. Problems fall away as you become one with the ice. Going skating with friends and family can create the perfect afternoon and will hopefully be topped off with a mug of hot cocoa! Don’t know much about ice skating? Take this opportunity to learn more about the types of skates and how to participate in this great hobby.
Different skate designs are more beneficial to different skating actions than others. When it comes to recreational uses, there are two types of skates that are more common than any others. The hockey style skate was created for hockey as well as the game of ringette. It’s stiff and strong, made of synthetic materials that can handle a strong slash from a hockey stick.
The second main type of skate is known as the figure skating skate. These are designed differently. The main difference from a hockey skate is the toe pick on the blade. This allows the wearer to perform more complex moves when trying to jump or stop. The blade also features a hollowed section, meaning it’s actually almost like two blades on each side of the foot. This can allow the skater to gain extra stability while they are leaning to one side or the other.
Other types of skates are typically designed more for specialty events. Racing skates are used for people who speed skate. These feature extremely long blades which may detach at the rear of the skate. Tour skates are very long and can attach to skis or boots and are used for rivers and lakes when you’ve hiking through the wilderness.
Come winter time, there’s lots of places you can go out skating. Many skating rinks or arenas will offer free skating time when they aren’t renting out the space for amateur hockey teams to play or practice. This can be a great chance to get together and skate with family and friends.
Growing more popular are outdoor rinks in cold weather cities. Many cities like to create rinks out of fountain areas, or simply provide an ice surface for the populace to congregate and skate together. These are usually fairly well taken care of, but you will need to take into account the exterior weather. Too much wind, or temperatures too low can feel awful.
There’s always the option of creating your own rink as well. Many people have discovered that creating an ice skating rink at home or in a local park area is easier than expected. It’s good to remember that maintenance will never be as good as in something that’s been put together by a city or professionally.
Finally, nature can also provide skating rinks for many people! Take the city of Ottawa in Canada. They have a canal running through the city which turns into a frozen ice rink every year. Frozen canals, small lakes and other bodies of water can be used to skate. Caution should always be taken when trying to skate on bodies of water however. Always ensure the ice is thick enough and beware cracks. Also, the ice surface can be surprisingly uneven and result in hard falls. Be sure to be alert and perhaps don’t use maximum speed.
