I would skate anytime it was possible. At the first sign of ice
outside, I would grab my skates and head out the door! Some years, my dad would build
an ice rink in our backyard. When that wasn't possible, I'd search the
fields for patches of ice or go to the pond at the library or civic center. But, I always favored skating in a rink. I remember well the day I landed my first jump.
I put on clothing that
stretched, and warm socks. My skate laces were tied to each other
and I flung them over my shoulder until I could put them on. At the
rink, I found a spot under the heater, took off my coat and shoes and
slipped my feet into the boots. The heel seated into place first, then I pointed my toes and
laced up the boots, crossing laces over each other for a tight fit. First one foot, then the other. The
boots were stiff with hard soles and they still held the cold air from outside as my feet fell into them. The blades were freshly sharpened and I could see my reflection on them. As I ran my finger along the flat edge, a thin coating of fog formed over the shaft.
After standing, I jumped in place a few times
to make sure they fit right. If not, I'd re-lace the boots. My
gloves went on the hands and I took the ice.
For a second or
two, I stood there, rocking my feet back and forth as if to test the
ice. I always loved going out after the ice was refinished. The
surface was as smooth as glass and my skates slid effortlessly
over the finish. I left a trail behind me where my blades
glided over the surface, as if to leave my statement that I
was there.
I skated a few laps around the rink, shooting the duck, pivot
spinning, skating backward and then I was ready! I pushed my skates against the
ice, side to side, under my knees to catch the blade edge. My body leaned
into the curve and suddenly I was looping and tracing figure-of-eights. Switching my feet one in front of the other, I changed directions.
Inside edge.
Outside edge.
Inside edge.
Outside edge.
It all seemed so
easy.
With my arms out at my side like a plane, my hips leaning
backward, and skating backwards, I caught an edge to skate in a
circle. I stroked the ice a few times to gain speed. Then I
straightened up, lifted my skate up behind me, knee at 90 degrees, and held
the speed for a few seconds to steady myself. I leaned
forward slightly, kicking my leg farther behind me and I drove the toe pick into the
ice to lift my body upwards and jumped into the air. Pulling
my arms in, I rotated once, kicked my leg out behind me once again and
landed full blade on the ice.
Perfect.
I always loved feeling of
the inertia and rotation of spins and jumps. I felt the ice was meant
for me. All that space and just me.
To this day, I
can't walk into a rink without standing there for a moment to appreciate the smell of
the ice...the cool, fresh, arctic smell of ice.
Rockerchic posted on Feb 20, 2007
| views: 397
Comments
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secretlife said on Feb 20, 2007....
great story!i loved to ice skate as a girl. we had a rink in the downtown area, and i they'd build a big wood fire....i was never as good a skater as you were and thought it a great accomplisment to manage foot over foot turns...LOL...but i did enjoy it very much.When my kids were younger i took them skating and even did a bit of it myself again. Indoors I was nowhere near as steady as i remembered being as a girl....i -
Rockerchic said on Feb 20, 2007....
I still love the ice, hate the cold though. Every chance I get, I go "steal" my nieces and take them skating! -
polarheart said on Feb 21, 2007....
Rockerchic, that was awesomely written. You've got talent, girl! -
mom said on Feb 21, 2007....
I am envious, I love to watch ice skaters, they make it look so elegant and easy. This was a great story Rocker. I never got the chance to go ice skating, I went roller skating but was on my butt more than I was on the skates. I was never very -
gingersoul said on Feb 21, 2007....
Great story and nicely written, Rocker.....i am vey envious of anyone who can simply stand on those thin things and then moving?.....out of my world...and being even graceful doing it be
i cant even roller skating....imagine that...i like to watch the ice skating perfromance in tv though and during the Winter Olympic they are a must to see...one of my best memories of New York has been going to watch the ice skating ring at the Rockfeller Center at Xmas........
I like the way your describe your movements ....it made me feel almost there ......if only i could..
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husbandhater said on Feb 21, 2007....
I use to iceskate as a kid and also loved it. You brought back memories Rockerchic. Where have you been lately? -
VICARIOUS said on Feb 21, 2007....
I also grew up with frozen ice ponds behind my house, but I sucked.This was very cool. I could smell the ice because of your passion; even felt the skates on my feet. Well done. -
CreativeWoman said on Feb 21, 2007....
Rocker,
You made me wish I could skate like that. I don't have the grace or ankles for such an endeavor. Very, very nicely written.
CW
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silverwhisper said on Feb 22, 2007....
RC, you did a great job--there was no need for you to be nervous! i hope you'll keep participating in future exercises!
i have only one criticism, and it's a nitpick: when you describe preparing for your jump you describe your arms out at your sides "like a plane". i think that description would be a bit stronger if you removed those three little words, to be honest.
you have great descriptions and i love the way you went step by step through putting on your skates. really well done!
ed