The Ice Rink
The Ice Rink: Put on your Skates!
Summer is well and truly on its way, barring a few chilly days, and what better way to cool off when that Lowveld heat kicks in than by ice skating at Mbombela’s very first ice rink?
As Nelspruit continues to expand and become more urban, fun, indoor activities are becoming the norm! If you are planning on spending some of your summer in Mbombela, and you are looking for a few quick activities to keep you busy, ice skating might be just the thing for you.
The ice skating rink was recently added to the bustling iLanga Mall, which is situated on the N4, as you drive in from Johannesburg. It’s not as big as the ones you would find in the cities, but it certainly has enough space to let skaters get the most out of their time at the rink.
- Helpful Information
Day sessions begin at 10:00 and end at 17:00, while evening sessions start at 19:30 and end at 22:30. The prices are affordable and you can rent skates if you don’t have a pair of your own. And Sunday nights and Tuesdays offer even cheaper rates. - But before you start your planning, have you skated before?
It’s not as easy as it looks. And while it’s plenty of fun once you have got your skating legs under you, to get to that point, you could always do with some of our beginner’s tips. - Don’t look at your feet!
If you want to be certain that you fall the moment you get on the ice, look at your feet. Doing this is guaranteed to unnerve you, and it is also likely to make you crash into a fellow skater as you won’t see where you are going. - Tie your skates properly
And if you are not sure how to do this, ask someone working at the rink. You should also make sure that your skates are not tied too tightly or too loose, both of which will result in you taking a tumble. Remember, properly tied skates protect your ankles. - Don’t lean back!
If you want to avoid falling over backwards and the pain and embarrassment that generally accompanies such a fall, try to stay upright rather than leaning back. Should you lean back, you can lose your balance quite easily. - Skate with the crowd
Because the rink in Nelspruit is quite small, it’s best to skate in the same direction as everyone else. This will prevent a collision with fellow skaters and stop you, and them, from being hurt. - Enjoy it!
The key to a great skating experience is to not take it too seriously. Your first few times out on the ice can be filled with giggles, bumps and bruises. The thing is to take it in your stride, and if you fall down, get back on your feet and carry on the fun.
