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Essortment.com helps us prepare for the Paducah Ice Rink opening up this weekend.
The site provided some tips for once you have your skates and hit the ice for the first time.
1. Walk around the area with a rubber mat to get used to the skate's feel.
2. Balance is crucial so do some squats while standing up straight, arms in front, feet hip distance apart.
Be warned: if you can't bend your knees, you can't skate. Also, the claws on the front of the blade are there to assist you if you jump or spin. For now, just don't trip over them.
3. Watch for the direction of the skaters already on the ice. Most rinks travel in the counter-clockwise direction, but whatever direction, the crowd moves the same way. Don't head straight into everyone.
Now you're ready for the ice. Essortment.com walks you through the steps once you hit the rink, starting with explaining the blades.
Your blade has 3 Edges.
1. The FLAT. This is what you’ll use when standing on the ice. It’s the entire center length of the blade.
2. The INSIDE EDGE. When looking down at your blades, the inside edge is the part closest to your big toe and runs the length of the blade. Should you relax your ankles and assume a pigeon-toed position, you’ll be on your inside edge.
3. The OUTSIDE EDGE. When looking down at your blades, the outside edge is the part closest to your little toe and runs the length of the blade. Stiffen your ankles and splay your feet like a duck and you’ll get a sense of the outside edge.
To skate Forward Swizzles, you’ll be using your inside edges. This will enable you to feel what it’s like to GLIDE around the rink. Many people attempt to skate by walking around the rink. There’s little point to that as it exerts too much effort and no results.
To begin your Forward Swizzles:
1. Stand approximately one arm’s length distance from the barrier. It’ll be there if you need it but it’s better to avoid getting too close to it.
2. Keep your arms out to the side for balance. (Ideally, your arms should be extended out to the side so they’re at shoulder height. Your palms should face downwards, fingers extended. If you’re not able to achieve this arm position at first, don’t be concerned).
3. Allow your feet to go into the pigeon-toed position. BEND YOUR KNEES! For the first few minutes of skating it’s okay to look down at your feet. Soon you will stop doing this, as it’s a bad habit. But in the beginning you may do this, but remember it’s only temporary.
4. The gliding sensation will begin as soon as you allow your feet to separate. This begins the Swizzle. As soon as you’re about hip distance apart, you’ll bend your knees more and use those inside edges to get you back to that pigeon-toed position.
5. Swizzles leave a scalloped pattern on the ice. If you were to do them over one of the painted red hockey lines along the width of the rink, you’ll create scallops on either side of the line.
6. The more you bend your knees, the stronger and faster your Forward Swizzles will become.