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FlevOnice 5km Outdoor Ice Skating CourseNear Biddinghuizen, Holland [26-12-2007] -- The outdoors, ice skating in nature, wafting along reed beds, freedom. That's the intention behind the new multi-functional outdoor recreation centre recently opened, called "FlevOnice" or "Ice World". We visited the course on a very busy Boxing Day (2007).
The winters in The Netherlands are becoming milder and milder. Much to the dismay of the Dutch, for whom ice skating on natural ice is highly sought after. Thanks to the myriad of canals and rivers, skaters can enjoy courses of up to 200km. In fact, the goal of the Dutch Elfstedentocht (11 cities tour) is to cover 200 km's in just one day. The last Elfstedentocht was held in 1996 i.e. that's when it was last cold enough. It came close in 2001/2002 ... One of the world's top 10 skaters (4 times world champion) Rintje Ritsma is the ambassador for FlevONice. "The good news is that this track is suitable for everyone. Whether you are a professional skater training for an alternative Elfstedentocht, or just want to enjoy some leisurely skating, FlevOnice offers something for everyone. Without getting in each other's way, thousands of ice skaters can do what they enjoy. What more can you ask for?" Granted, it's not natural ice and the reed beds haven't grown yet, but the 5 km course curves through nature and you still need to keep up your pace to stop Jack Frost from nipping at your ears and nose. Halfway around the course, skaters can enjoy a "koek en zopie" stall where cookies, soup and steaming hot chocolate are served.
Not too sure about your skating skills? Before setting off on the 5 km route, you can practice on the 400 m rink just outside the restaurant. It's not uncommon to see people skating with a chair while they're learning to keep balance. Alternatively, you could practice on the "knabbelbaan" ... if the children let you. The five metre wide track has cooling elements that provide real ice, and operates during the Winter months (approx. 100 days in the year), after which the elements are dismantled to reveal a sand track underneath it. This track is used for off-road events like MX cycling, mountain biking and horse riding. Alongside the ice/sand track, is a six metre wide asphalt track, which is great for skeelers and other events like marathons, biathlons, athletics, disabled sports, nordic walking, and of course, recreation and leisure.
FlevOnice aims to give its visistors the centuries-old feeling of freedom and skating on natural ice. See the video and read the article below to discover more about why skating outdoors on natural ice is revered so highly. You can also see, "A Brief Glimpse into Ice Sailing", which we took on 22 December 2007. "... at the first scabbing of ice across the canals, the Dutch, normally so earnest and responsible, abandon jobs and universities, uttering the traditional schoolchildren's demand of We willen ijs vrij (we want ice time) ..." read full article © Written for Tours and Tales by Marcel and Victoria Koning (Marvic). We promote responsible tourism and love nature and wildlife, discovering new places and different cultures.
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Marvic VOF
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