Skating in Amsterdam
When temperatures dip, the Dutch start dreaming of another frozen winter - and the prospect of skating outdoors.
Skating season 2012
It's that time of year again. The Dutch nervously eye the thermometer and study the weather forecasts. Will the mercury fall below 0C tonight? Is that ice forming on a nearby ditch? And the crucial question: should I have my skates sharpened, just in case?...
A traditional pastime
It doesn't take Sven Kramer's five consecutive gold metals to know that the Netherlands is a nation that takes ice skating seriously. The Dutch have been avid ice skaters for ages - Dutch painter Hendrik Avercamp (1585-1634) lived in a time famously known as the Little Ice Age and is most famous for his winter landscapes.
While there are numerous artificial rinks to tide them over, nothing quickens the blood of a true Dutchman (or Dutchwoman) like the prospect of skating on the canals and ponds that are such a fixture of both town and country.
Skating on the canals
The general rule is that four nights at -4C are needed to produce ice thick enough to skate on. Early in February 2012, the decision was taken to close off Amsterdam’s canals to water traffic to allow ice to form. Check the Waternet website for a list of the canals currently closed to boats (in Dutch).
If you do decide to venture out onto natural ice, ensure that the ice is thick enough and take safety precautions. Information about safe skating on natural ice is available on the KNSB (Dutch Skater’s Union) website(in Dutch), or call the ANWB Winter Sport line on 0900 9623 (0.45 euro p/m).
The cold snap of February 2012 has also resulted in a number of organised ice events in and around Amsterdam, including Disco Skating, sprint races on the Keizersgracht, classical concerts on ice and long distance skate routes in Amsterdam-Noord. Read about the latest news of Amsterdam's 2012 ice skating events here.
The Elfstedentocht
The famous natural ice skating marathon Elfstedentocht (named for the eleven towns it passes through) is held in Friesland, with the provincial capital Leeuwaarden as start and finishing point. Since the first Elfstedentocht was held in 1909, it has only been held fifteen times.
Conditions have to be right: the ice has to be a minimum of fifteen centimetres thick for all 200 kilometres of the route - and this is very rare indeed. Although conditions looked promising, the 2012 event did not take place. Visit the Elfstedentocht website for the latest information (in Dutch).
Keizersrace
Unlike many long distance natural ice skating contests around the Netherlands, this is a short sprint race over 150 metres, held on Amsterdam's Keizersgracht. This is a knockout contest. Lots are drawn and skaters race against each other; the winner progressing to the next round, which is a time trial. Eventually a champion "keizer" or "keizerin" is crowned for each group. It took place on Saturday 11 February 2012 - the first time the race has taken place in 15 years.
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