An icy blast of fun and fitness

Dal staffer Katherine Rudolph (right), husband Henry Rudolph (left) and Dal chemistry student Samantha Rudolph (centre) take advantage of the chance to go for a noontime skate. (Nick Pearce Photo)

As the Zamboni smoothes over the ice at Dalhousie Memorial Arena, people are lacing up their skates and strapping on their helmets. The music starts playing and skaters of all different levels—former hockey players, figure skaters and beginners—trickle onto the glassy surface of the rink for an hour of recreational skating.

To exercise, learn how to skate, de-stress or spend some family time—everyone has good reasons for coming out to skate. Some people skate in pairs, linking arms and talking. Others glide peacefully around the rink by themselves.

“It's so relaxing to just glide around the ice and forget about everything for a moment,” said Amy Devereaux, a 19-year-old microbiology and immunology major.

She and her friend Amy Roberts have performed in figure skating competitions in the past. They whizz around the rink with ease, listening to their iPods.

Cardiovascular workout

Ms. Roberts goes fast along the outside, dipping into the less busy centre of the rink to do more fancy footwork. Ms. Devereaux spins along the outside, alternating the foot she balances on.

Dalplex Fitness Co-ordinator Anne Leblanc can name a lot of benefits people get from skating. An aerobic activity, it can get your heart pumping and work your muscles.

“You get muscular endurance and cardiovascular fitness, as well as balance,” she says. “It’s a great way to gain balance and help to maintain what you’ve got already.”

Ms. Leblanc also notes skating is fun, a quality of the very best fitness activities.

Angus Swantee, who started working at Dal this year, comes by during his lunch break. “It's perfect timing because it's over lunch hour and I can come out and skate, which I've done all my life, and get some exercise and a good time.

“I just like how fast you can go and it reminds me of playing hockey when I was growing up. I've got three kids and it's something I want them to do too, to learn how to skate.”

Wear a helmet

He brings his kids to the rink on Tuesday nights and occasionally on Sunday mornings. On those days, there is an area roped off for kids who are learning to skate. For beginners, there are some metal frames that glide along the ice to hold on to for support.

“One of the things that you have to think about when you choose exercise is also any risk the exercise might impose,” says Ms. LeBlanc. “So it’s really important to wear a helmet. That's part of your health, looking after your brain.”

Helmets became mandatory at the rink a year ago. Dal students and Dalplex members can skate for free. Adult admission is $3.75 and admission for children under 12 is $2.75. Wednesday morning is just for preschoolers and admission is $2.

The schedule:

• Tuesdays: 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 6:40 to 7:30 p.m.?
• Thursdays: 11:40 a.m. to 1 p.m.?
• Sundays: 10:10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 2:10 to 3:30 p.m.

Holiday skates:

• All-ages holiday skates are scheduled for December 22 and 29, 10:10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Regular admission prices apply.

LINK: Public skating, Athletics and Recreation