As usual when July arrives in Florida, the hot sticky humidity revives my reverie of wintry nights while growing up in Ohio. We used to meet down by the snow white river banks of Big Walnut Creek and skate on its frozen surface. Ice skating is great fun and a good way to improve the condition of your heart and lungs and to improve your circulation. Even if you don't skate, just going out onto the ice and struggling to remain standing will give you a brisk workout and raise your heart rate. Ice Skating benefits the muscles in your lower body, especially your quadriceps, and your hind end from in a slightly squatted position. You will burn quite a lot of calories on the ice. There is much to be gained from ice skating.
Now back to my story. My high school friend, Fred, was a first-class roller skater. In the roller rink he could dazzle us all with his agility. He could do all the cool moves like forward and backward stroking, turns, crossovers, jumps and spins and come to sudden stops. When I tried those tricks all I did was fall on my face. But then, I was a better ice skater that a roller skater.
A few years after high school, Fred became a member of a church that planned to have an ice skating party. Ice skating is a lot different from roller skating in that your ankles are only supported by a single blade as opposed to the four wheels of a roller skate. Fred had difficulty ice skating because his ankles were a too weak to balance on one blade. So Fred, not wanting to be embarrassed with his lack of ice skating skills, decided to do some late night practicing on Big Walnut Creek in preparation for the event.
Now, my ice skating was nothing to crow about, which necessitated me to seek a little late night practice on Big Walnut. As I moved about on the ice, executing my wanting talent one late winter's night, I saw, some two hundred yards in the distance by the light of a full gleaming moon, the form of a person attempting to balance on skates while tripping and stumbling head-over-heels. It was quite a hilarious sight. As the figure came closer, I was able to make out that it was a man dressed in a heavy parka with a wind muffler swathed around his neck. A few seconds latter I was able to hear the scuffling, scraping sound of his skate blades on the ice as if he were having great difficulty maintaining his equilibrium. Soon he was moving toward me, unaware that he was being watched as he wildly danced on the ice with all limbs flailing. Then the sound of his heavy breathing and the steam emanating from the collar of his coat signaled his exhaustion. Suddenly it occurred to me that the body of this locomotive was careening straight at me and I immediately needed to move either to one side or the other, but was bitten by the fear of the impending collision and froze in my skates. I heard the dull scrape of the toe of his skate as the man fell forward and spun in midair landing on his back. THUD! He slid a few yards and stopped just next to my feet lying face up. I gasped with alarm and looked to see if the poor fellow was hurt. Looking down at the man, I recognized the features of a friend's face. After we exchanged puzzled looks for a second, the man, embarrassed, flashed a familiar mouthful-of-teeth grin which, to my surprise, belonged to my friend Fred.
"Hi Mel," he said.
"Fred! 's that you?"
Fred finally made it to his skating party; but not without some more practice.
Here are some tips for learning to ice skate. As in Fred's case, it is recommended to develop strong ankles before you venture out on the ice. Poor ankle strength may or may not be something you can not correct; depending on your build and makeup. But if you are looking to impress your friends with your speed and skating dexterity like my friend Fred; it is essential. You do not have to be an expert to enjoy the game. You will become more proficient as you practice and gain experience.
If you do venture out onto the ice and have a few falls. Don't give up, there is something very special about ice skating; sort of romantic. Especially at night, by the light of a full moon, down by the snow white banks of your favorite creek.
Mel Jackson is a writer and former radio broadcaster, social worker, circus promoter and resides in Florida. He is the author of the book, "Runaway," about a young boy's longing for the love of his father. For more information click here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004THZ4OW
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