Where to skate: rinks or ponds?
Our guest columnist is Rikki Rendich Samuels (see right), an instructor at Rockefeller Rink in NYC for over 25 years. As a four-time USFSA national competitor, Rikki received her gold medals in figures and freestyle, and is a former two-time Middle Atlantic Senior Ladies Champion. As a professional, she has been awarded the highest awards from the Professional Skaters Association, a master’s rating in figures and freestyle, and a master’s rating in program administration. Pictures or illustrations of smiling skaters enjoying themselves on ponds or lakes make great holiday cards or paintings (see above, used with permission, Marie Fox of mariefox.com), but natural bodies of water have two big disadvantages compared with artificially frozen ice rinks: First, the ice of a pond is not smooth and second, it may not be safe. Never skate alone on a pond, and never skate on one without safety equipment, including a cell phone and a ladder. Don’t skate on ponds that are not properly maintained.
