The Different Types Of Ice Skating

Author: Derek Both
There are various different reasons why people put on a pair of ice skates as there are many different varieties of skating. The list is pretty much endless of every category there is so it is nearly impossible to cover all of them at once. However, certain types are more popular and more well known than others.

Figure skating has become more and more popular over recent decades thanks to ice skates becoming more advanced. Whereas before people were limited in their movements because of the way ice skates were made, nowadays skaters are able to perform all sorts of fancy movements.

In figure skating alone there are several different categories such as singles, pairs, ice dance and synchronised skating. Single skating is the most popular form of figure skating because new ice skates have enabled people to perform jumps, spins and dances to music. The sport has come a long way since it first began as people only used to do it for pleasure whereas now there are competitions held all over the world every year.

Pair ice skating is probably the most interesting and exciting form of skating to watch because more complex moves can be performed such as lifts. Again, many people enter competitions into pair ice skating every year.

If you are looking for fun and thrills when you put your ice skates on then ice dancing is definitely the way to get this. It is best described as ballroom dancing on ice as skaters dance waltzes, foxtrots and any other kind of dance that you can think of. Not only is this a fun way of getting some exercise, it is a true challenge that will make you feel great once you have mastered the art.

Although you don't see or hear much about synchronised swimming, it is one of the more popular forms of figure skating. It is conducted by a team of skaters which usually ranges from 12 to 20 people and they perform routines in unison to music. If you manage to find somewhere that shows this type of skating it is a great form of entertainment and is guaranteed to inspire you to dig out your ice skates.

There are so many different kinds of ice skating that there is one to suit everyone. Whether you are young, old, beginner, advanced, athletic or not, you are bound to find a style that suits you.

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The Beginnings Of The Ice Skate

Author: Catherine Harvey
Ice skating

is a popular sport these days. But it is by no means a new past time. The oldest ice skates ever found are said to be over 5,000 years old and they were made from the leg bones of either a horse or ox. They were secured to the feet with leather straps and a metal spike was used to propel the skater forward. Of course, these ice skates were used mainly for ease of transport across ice and less for entertainment although we can never be completely sure!

Scandinavia and Finland are the obviously places for the first ice skates to be made given their vast amounts of ice. Some of the examples of the skates that have been uncovered in these regions and consisted of a thin strip of copper attached to the underside of a leather shoe. So, what else can you do to an ice skate? Apart from slight adaptations for comfort and durability, the ice skate has barely changed much over the last 5,000 years.

The Long Reach skate was the most widely used ice skate for many years and this was developed in new Brunswick, Canada by James A Whelpley in 1859. This was developed for long distance skating on the lakes and the family owned business of manufacturing ice skates in this area for another seven years before they moved to New Hampshire.

Today's modern ice skate has changed little although there are now slightly different designs depending on what the user wants them for. Although the bottom of an ice skate is often seen as a blade it no longer resembles a knife blade. It actually has a crescent shaped hollow along the surface so that you actually skate on two parallel edges. The depth of this hollow will vary between a quarter and one inch, depending on the type of skate and the purpose it is used for.

For a professional figure skater, this hollow will be deliberately carved to suit the skater's style and weight. Speed skates and touring skates have a completely flat bottom with no hollow to aid speed without cutting into the ice.

Figure skates are the most popular recreational ice skates. Moulded from stiff leather for ankle support and with toe picks for easier manoeuvring, these are the type you will normally be hiring if you attend an ice rink for fun.

Hockey skates are much more lethal looking ice skates. Moulded from plastic, leather and ballistic nylon they have better manoeuverability and thinner, faster blades than a recreational ice skate. The ice hockey goalies skate are cut lower and the blade is set slightly different with a protective shell which provides more protection.

Bandy ice skates are quite different. Used for playing rink bandy, they come with a much lower cut boot which barely covers the ankles and a longer blade. Racing skates, or speed skates have extra long blades and the shoe is connected to the blade via a hinge. They also have higher blades to allow for better turning and to prevent the boot coming into contact with the ice.

So, whether its recreational skating, figure skating

, speed skating, rink bandy or ice hockey that you want to get involved in, finding the correct type of ice skate will make the game a whole lot easier and a whole lot more comfortable.

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Snowboarding For Beginners

By: Jasmine Stone
If you are interested in taking up a new hobby, and you enjoy thrilling, fast paced action, why not consider snowboarding? Increasing in popularity year on year, snowboarding has always been highly fashionable, and is no more accessible than ever, so you really have no excuse for not giving it a go if you are interested. In this article we will look at the equipment you will need, where to get started, and the things to watch out for when snowboarding.

First thing's first - get yourself online. Look around, and find out exactly what snowboarding involves. It is a dangerous game, and highly physically taxing. Additionally, it can be quite expensive, so you need to try to ensure it's right for you. Next you need to look for a board to get you started, and some clothing for wearing on the slopes. First off, forget about buying a top quality board. You need to start off with something cheap and cheerful, designed for beginners. You can find these easily online, and you may also be able to come across some models in your local extreme sports shop. Alternatively, you could try to pick one up second hand from a friend, or from another snowboarder. You also want to make sure you look cool whilst your out there! Check out some of the highly fashionable snowboarding wear, and kit yourself out from hats, to sunglasses to thick socks - make sure you're prepared for the elements before you set off.

It is worth looking around to find lessons in your local area. Lessons range in availability, quality and price, although you will often find recommendations or local adverts particularly helpful. Again you could look online for some tips to get you on your way. If you do take lessons, it is important to take on board what the instructor says from both a performance and safety perspective. Additionally, get out there and practice between lessons if you ever want to improve. If you stick at it, and work hard, you will eventually see an improvement, and find the sport significantly more enjoyable also.

It is also good to note that snowboarding is a highly dangerous activity and people do get hurt. Before you even think about snowboarding, take some lessons in safety, and make sure you are fully equipped both mentally and physically for avoiding injury to yourself and others. Snowboarding is responsible for many accidents every year, and it is an extreme sport after all - if you're of a weak disposition, it is perhaps not the best sport for you. Having said that, snowboarding can easily be performed safely with a bit of common sense, and a bit of research, so make sure you're prepared before you get out there. Warnings aside, snowboarding is great fun, if you like this sort of thing. Many people adopt the mantra that you should try everything at least once, and as far as snowboarding is concerned, this is definitely true. Try snowboarding once, and join the legions of followers who enjoy snowboarding at every opportunity. Chances are there are clubs and associations in your local town, so get yourself along and join in with like minded people. Your level of experience doesn't matter, as long as you go along and participate, you will gain a lot from it, and you will definitely have a good time in the process.

Stop by Ski Trip Planning to learn more about skiing tips and how to find the best ski resorts.

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Snowboarding Accidents

By: Jasmine Stone
Snowboarding accidents happen every single day and the reasons for this vary from person to person, and from accident to accident. Despite this, one thing remains prominent. Of those accidents, many of them could have been stopped with appropriate care and attention from the snowboarders involved. This is why we have to realise that snowboarding is a dangerous sport, and therefore health and safety should always remain an issue to any snowboarder.

The first thing that any snowboarder has to remember is to wear appropriate protective head wear. Protective head wear may not look as cool, or even be as warm as a hat, but when it comes to going down the slopes wearing one could save your life. In 2003 15 people suffered fatal head injuries whilst snowboarding. This number could have been reduced to 0 if those 15 people had chosen wear a helmet whilst snowboarding. When people go snowboarding and do not wear a helmet, they do not take precautions based on this, and are still happy to attempt stunts such as jumps, slaloms which involve dodging trees, and other activities that could not be recommended. People have to remember that snowboarding is in the top 10 most dangerous sports, and I would call on the authorities within the sport to drive even further towards excellence in health and safety.

My brother is a keen snowboarder and recently broke his leg whilst snowboarding. Although this was not his fault, many of the complications that went along with the injury could have been avoided with due care and attention. This includes the fact he was stranded on a slope for over 4 hours before he was noticed by a boarder who was then able to go and get help. But how could this have been avoided. Firstly he should not have chosen to hit the slopes on his own. Through doing this problems arise automatically, if you do have to go snowboarding on your own then make sure you tell people that you are away. I would also call on snowboarding facilities to keep better records of who is on the slope, and for what time. This could certainly help with many issues.

I would secondly advice and call for people to carry mobile phones with them when they go snowboarding. Even, a mobile phone on its own may not be enough if you do not have a signal or do not have any battery left in your phone. This is why I advise that you ensure that your battery is full at all times, and that you also take appropriate care to ensure that you have a replacement SIM card. If you have a replacement SIM card that works on your phone you may be doubling the chances of you being able to contact someone if you phone does not work. This is why people also choose to carry a torch, a flare or an air horn. All of these can work in alerting people to a situation as long as they are near where you currently are.

Health and safety are prominent issues in snowboarding and that is why we all, have to be careful that we abide by them. Through choosing to take simple measure we can all choose to snowboard, and enjoy ourselves at the same time. Do not make yourself another statistic.

For more skiing tips including the best skiing vacations, visit Ski Trip Planning.

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