Lynn’s Notes:I didn’t learn to skate until I was over 35! What gave me the courage to try was a really good pair of skates and the lure of a rink made by the neighbours on Trout Lake outside of North Bay, Ontario. It was one of those perfect days. The ice was thick and the snow was fresh. Just a few passes of the snow blower and a small private rink was cleared. The kids both had skates that still fit, and my mom-in-law had borrowed skates for the rest of us. She’d made hot chocolate in a big thermos and the Harrisons, whose house we were visiting, had built a fire in the pit down by the dock.
For the first time since I was a kid, I strapped on skates (dull rentals) and shoved off from the snow bank. To my surprise, I discovered the bite of a sharp blade and was actually scraping my way forward. That’s it. I never went again, past those surprising few turns around the ice, but it was enough to let me know how it’s done and why some people become champion skaters. You just have to experience this exhilaration when you’re young!
I skated when ponds froze as a child, but started taking lessons in my mid-thirties. A good pair of skates makes all the difference; can’t use rentals ! I even got as far as double jumps! Yes, adults skate, too! I’m still competing and I’m now 60!
I can roller skate, but not roller blade or ice skate. Weak ankles, which even caused me to break my right ankle once by just stepping off a curb and twisting my ankle.
My wife (from Buffalo) skated as a kid in the swale between their yard & the farmer’s field behind the house. So when we got married, in Texas, she wanted to skate. I didn’t fall, but I’m not a good skater – I just go in loops around the rink, here. The only time I fell was when a young lady in front of me fell, and I saw that hand on the ice exactly in line with my skates. I didn’t know if I could swerve in time, so came down fast.I wish I had time for lessons – but since I can go in circles, and we go skating once or twice a year, it’s not high priority.Yes, my ankles start wobbling after awhile.
I fondly remember the years I made a back yard ice rink,complete with boards,nets,and a tree in the middle with coloured lights. I learned to skate better than when I was a kid. The girls liked it too, but it was a battle to get them to do any snow clearing.There is nothing like skating outdoors beneath the stars, on a cold December night in minus 30 Celsius!
Templo S.U.D. over 7 years ago
poor Elly
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
I was able to teach myself very quickly. I didn’t fall and I couldn’t do much since I was making sure I could do the basics without losing my balance.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
Lynn’s Notes:I didn’t learn to skate until I was over 35! What gave me the courage to try was a really good pair of skates and the lure of a rink made by the neighbours on Trout Lake outside of North Bay, Ontario. It was one of those perfect days. The ice was thick and the snow was fresh. Just a few passes of the snow blower and a small private rink was cleared. The kids both had skates that still fit, and my mom-in-law had borrowed skates for the rest of us. She’d made hot chocolate in a big thermos and the Harrisons, whose house we were visiting, had built a fire in the pit down by the dock.
For the first time since I was a kid, I strapped on skates (dull rentals) and shoved off from the snow bank. To my surprise, I discovered the bite of a sharp blade and was actually scraping my way forward. That’s it. I never went again, past those surprising few turns around the ice, but it was enough to let me know how it’s done and why some people become champion skaters. You just have to experience this exhilaration when you’re young!
dlkrueger33 over 7 years ago
I skated when ponds froze as a child, but started taking lessons in my mid-thirties. A good pair of skates makes all the difference; can’t use rentals ! I even got as far as double jumps! Yes, adults skate, too! I’m still competing and I’m now 60!
Tyge over 7 years ago
A Canadien that can’t ice skate? Mon Dieu!
GirlGeek Premium Member over 7 years ago
You know Elly, you don’t HAVE to skate. You can enjoy everybody from the sidelines.
Can't Sleep over 7 years ago
Looks like Elly’s ankles aren’t cooperating!
JanLC over 7 years ago
I"m afraid that I skate like Elly. I don’t even like in-line roller skates for the same reason – wobbly ankles.
rroush Premium Member over 7 years ago
A Canadian who can’t skate? Surely, such a thing has never existed.
Sue G over 7 years ago
I can roller skate, but not roller blade or ice skate. Weak ankles, which even caused me to break my right ankle once by just stepping off a curb and twisting my ankle.
JastMe over 7 years ago
My wife (from Buffalo) skated as a kid in the swale between their yard & the farmer’s field behind the house. So when we got married, in Texas, she wanted to skate. I didn’t fall, but I’m not a good skater – I just go in loops around the rink, here. The only time I fell was when a young lady in front of me fell, and I saw that hand on the ice exactly in line with my skates. I didn’t know if I could swerve in time, so came down fast.I wish I had time for lessons – but since I can go in circles, and we go skating once or twice a year, it’s not high priority.Yes, my ankles start wobbling after awhile.
Alphaomega over 7 years ago
I fondly remember the years I made a back yard ice rink,complete with boards,nets,and a tree in the middle with coloured lights. I learned to skate better than when I was a kid. The girls liked it too, but it was a battle to get them to do any snow clearing.There is nothing like skating outdoors beneath the stars, on a cold December night in minus 30 Celsius!