A Novice’s Guide to Ice Skating in Orange County

Starting a new sport can be intimidating and, sometimes, dangerous. To reduce the risk of injury--both physical and ego-wise--visit the rink when it is less crowded. But before venturing onto the ice, it pays to watch other skaters in action.

At some rinks, skaters may travel in a clockwise direction then, after ice resurfacing, change to a counter-clockwise motion. Beginners should always follow the flow of traffic and skate near the outside portion of the rink. Also notice that ice skating resembles an exaggerated walking motion. Skaters use their arms to control speed. They maintain balance with their knees.

Now, get ready to slip, slide, glide and hang onto the hand rails as you trip the ice fantastic. Getting Ready Go early on Fridays. By 8 p.m., there may be a wait to get the skates. Wear sweats or jeans, warm shirt and a sweat shirt. Bring mittens or gloves; it’s cold on the ice. Stretch legs, arms and back to loosen muscles. Double-check skates for proper lacing. To get a feel for balance, walk around in skates on carpeted area. Bring an extra pair of socks in case your feet get wet. Rent a locker to store shoes and personal items. Resurfacing The Zamboni resurfaces the ice. It shaves, washes and lays a thin film of water, which freezes, on top of the ice. Depending on use, the rink may be resurfaced three or more times daily. Be careful when entering the ice after it has been resurfaces, since the film of water may not have completely frozen yet, the ice will be very slippery.

Ice Rink: A Close-Up 2 inches ice sand 3/4-inch plastic tubing for Freon cement base Renting Skates Rent skates until finishing a series of beginner lessons. Ask for boots with sharp blades and toe picks. Wear 1/2 to one size smaller boot than your normal shoe size. For comfort, do not wear thick socks or tights. Lace boots tightly, but leave enough room around ankles to allow movement. Examine boots if the top flops to one side, then the boot has broken down and will not give proper support. Entering Ice Make sure path is clear. Grasp rail for balance, then step onto ice. With your weight evenly distributed, begin basic strokes.

Beginners Stay on outside of rink, near rails. Etiquette No eating or smoking on the ice. Do not wear wristwatch or jewelry that could break or shatter. Do not wear a hat. It may fly off your head and into the path of another skater. Bring something warm to wear. Fun ‘n’ Games Broomball: Rambunctious sport, somewhat like ice hockey, that’s played in tennis shoes with brooms and cantaloupe-size balls. The game is typically played after 1 a.m. on weekends with a “learn as you play” format. Anyone wishing for more information on broomball should contact an ice rink. Game rooms: For a bash on ice, rent a private party room. For those much needed breaks off the skates, most ice rinks also have video arcades and concession stands. Basic skate step Start from T-position. Bend knees deeply; using side of left skate blade, push off. Weight should be borne on back of right skate. Bend right knee and point right toe outward. For balance, bring left arm forward, extend left leg and hold left foot slightly above ice. Repeat stroke, this time bear weight on left skate. Glide farther with each stroke. Stopping Maneuver to the rail before stopping. Anyone familiar with snow skiing will recognize the snow plow. Bend knees and bring toes inward until gliding to a full stop. Turning the corner To turn left, lean body to the left and glide on the outside edge of left skate blade. To cross over, bring back skate over front and across the skate line. As right skate touches down, shift weight to right blade. Skating backward Beginners who want to skate backward should start with what is called “backward sculling.”Start with your knees slightly bent and toes turned in. As you push your heels outward, shift your weight from left foot to the right. Then bring your heels back together. Repeat the motion and you will gain speed.

Falling Let yourself fall; don’t fight it. Tuck your chin into chest to prevent your head from hitting the ice. If falling to the side, break fall with hands but, to avoid protect your fingers from passing skates, quickly lift hands off the ice. To stand, start from a kneeling position. Anchor one skate into the ice and gently lift body. Never crawl across the rink. A History on Ice

The oldest ice skates, leather soles and blades made of polished animal bones, were discovered among Roman ruins in London. The skates dated back to 50 B.C.

By about . D. 1100, Scandinavians wore skates made of deer and elk bones strapped to their leather boots. For these people, ice skating was a source of transportation. But by the end of the 12th Century, it is thought the British were enjoying recreational ice skating on lakes and ponds.

Iron blades were not used until around 1250, but their popularity was short-lived. Steel-- lighter than iron but just as strong--became the skate material of choice. Wooden shoes with steel blades made skating easier. It wasn’t until 1850 that the first all-steel skates were produced and manufactured in Philadelphia, making way for the popularization of ice skating as recreation and giving rise to ice rinks across the nation. Variations on Ice

There’s more to ice-skating than just going around in circles. To help know a good class from a bad one, here’s an idea of what to expect to learn during a basic introductory course in figure skating or ice hockey. Cost may vary with class size, student’s age and length of teaching session. Figure skating: Students learn to skate forward and backward, stop, glide on one foot and complete a simple spin. Ice hockey: Beginners work on the basics, including standing, starting and stopping. More advanced students develop a variety of skills, such as stick handling, passing, blocking and shooting. Rinks of Orange County Huntington Beach: Side by Side Rinks (opens early February) Location: 16091 Gothard St., Huntington Beach Phone: (213) 724-2801 Admission: all ages: $4.25; skate rental: $1.75 Services: Figure skating and ice hockey lessons; prices vary; other facilities: snack bar, pro shop Hours: Open skating hours varies daily, call for hours Two rinks: Both rinks are 74 feet 185 feet Anaheim: Glacial Garden Ice Arena (opens late December) Location: 1000 E. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim Phone: (714) 502-9023 Admission: Under 16, $6; 16 and over, $7 skate rental: $2.25 Services: Figure skating and ice hockey lessons; prices vary; other facilities: snack bar, pro shop Hours: Open skating hours varies daily, call for hours Two rinks: 1. 82 feet wide by 195 feet 2. 70 feet wide by 175 feet Costa Mesa: Ice Capades Chalet Location: 2701 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa Phone: (714) 979-8880 Admission: all ages: $5; skate rental: $2 Services: Group and private lessons in figure skating and ice hockey; prices vary; other facilities: pro shop Hours: Open skating hours varies daily, call for hours Rink size: 79 feet wide by 189 feet Sources: Better Ice Skating; World Book Encyclopedia; Ice Capades Chalet