If you do not know how to ice skate, you probably have never thought deeply about ice skating and its long and illustrious history. Today, we are going to learn all about ice skating, and share some advice for your first ice skating expedition.

Hopefully you are familiar with roller skating, which is a form of ambulation in which the skater achieves motion due to small wheels attached to the undersides of their shoes. Skating is faster than walking, and is typically undertaken as a recreational activity rather than a utilitarian form of transport. Ice skating is similar, except the wheels on the shoe are replaced with a sharp blade, and the motion occurs on a surface of ice.

Ice skating can be done outdoors, either on a natural lake which has frozen over, or on an artificial ice surface. In Australia, ice skating is generally an indoor activity, with specially constructed rinks containing a large iced area for skaters to travel around in laps.

A number of sporting activities has emerged as offshoots of ice skating, including figure skating and ice hockey. For the most part, ice skating is enjoyed by amateurs by skating in a forwards direction, completing laps around a rink.

It is a good idea to get ice skating lessons if you are wobbly on your feet. As an absolute beginner, you will want to know the basics of how to move forwards safely, and how to stop. There are several different techniques to stopping. As a beginner, your first stopping move is the T-stop, in which you turn one skate perpendicular to the other.

Our best ice skating tip is to dress appropriately. You will be on the ice, so dress warmly. Cover up as much of your body as possible. Gloves are essential. You also need to be aware of safety. If you are clumsy, you may want to don some safety gear.