By: Centerspread Editor Neha Shah and Staff Writers Carolyn Ge, Tanushri Sundar, and Chloe Velasquez
The Smoke Signal decided to send four hardy writers to try out America’s favorite seasonal pastime: ice skating. Despite the wall-clinging and dramatic falls, our experience wasn’t a story we could simply skate over.
Background
Carolyn
I took ice skating lessons when I was eight, but my mom forced me to quit when she watched two uncoordinated kids collide head-on and collapse. She probably feared that I would meet the same unfortunate fate with some other unlucky child. I only have a month’s worth of skating lessons under my belt, but I hope that I’ll still be able to slip and slide my way around without using the wall as life support!
Neha
I like to consider myself an avid ice skater. I took ice skating lessons when I was seven years old and I absolutely loved it. I was even honored the Delta Award, certifying my ability to do lunges and right forward inside turns. Now—I’ll be putting myself to the test—by ice-skating for the second time in a year. I can’t wait to hit the ice!
Tanushri
I can already feel the bumps and bruises that are yet to come after I break up with my best bud—the ice-rink walls. I suppose I’ll have to kiss goodbye the feeling in my fingers and toes. Did I mention I’m not a fan of the cold either? Fair warning to my friends—don’t go ice skating with me, because I probably won’t let go of you until I’ve effectively defrosted.
Chloe
I was a 10-year-old ballerina when my parents enrolled me for my first ice-skating lesson. The dream of their child becoming the next Kristi Yamaguchi was crushed when I proved my ability to only grip onto the walls of the ice rink. Sure, I’m uncoordinated and clumsy on ice, but practice doesn’t take talent. I’m ready to see what I can improve. Mom and Dad—this one’s for you.
Thoughts After Ice Skating
Carolyn
That was physically painful, yet surprisingly fun! I picked up the few old skills I had a few minutes after wobbling on the ice. Although I couldn’t glide as smoothly as Neha (who can skate backwards on one foot), I somehow managed to inch my way around the rink without holding onto the wall for dear life. Achievement unlocked! My ankles were screaming by the end, but I was actually sad to leave the ice—that is, until I finally stepped onto solid ground again!
Neha
I loved it! Sliding and gliding around the rink brought back fond memories of my ice-skating years. I was immediately able to skate without holding the wall and even remembered how to skate with one leg! I wanted to spin and twirl to my heart’s content—but then remembered that I didn’t know how. Watching five-year-olds ice skate and do tricks didn’t exactly help either. Carolyn and I attempted to do the “Shoot the Duck” pose on the ice, but we both failed miserably. All in all, I had an amazing time and I can’t wait to skate again!
Tanushri
It’s safe to say that I struggled. Despite my wobbling ankles and flailing arms, I didn’t fall! Then again, I did spend most of my time desperately clutching Chloe and Carolyn’s hands. As I tried to glide my way around the rink at the stunning speed of about half a mile per hour, I realized that I wasn’t going to get better until I took some risks and face-planted a few times. So despite the blisters and frozen fingers, I’m planning on hitting the ice again—literally.
Chloe
I underestimated the coldness of my rival, the ice rink. I guess 10-year-old me chose to forget memories of cold fingers and numb feet. Unlike all the other skaters clad in triple layers and gloves, I came with a thin sweater and tights. Still, I think this might have been an advantage. I was able to easily maneuver around the rink without the restrictions of thick clothing. Turns out that I’m a pretty decent skater, although my technique is probably a danger hazard. On the bright side, I can skate without clinging to walls now!
Picture Credits: ymcarockies.org
