RiverScape ice rink events
Dec. 4-5, 7-10 p.m. — Star-Late Skate: Take in the sights and sounds of downtown, warm up with hot chocolate and enjoy an evening skating alongside the Great Miami River. No registration required. $7, includes skate rental.
Dec. 6, noon-12:30 p.m. — Penguin Preschool: Youngsters (3-5) will learn how to march in place and across the ice, dip, glide and stop all while gaining confidence in their new abilities. Arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. $10, includes skate rental. Registration required.
Dec. 6, 12:30-1 p.m. — Waddles: Participants (6-10) will learn how to sit and stand up on the ice, march in place and across the ice, dip and glide while gaining confidence in their new abilities. Arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. $10, includes skate rental. Registration required.
Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m. — Casual Curl: Participants can choose between a Learn to Curl session led by Curl Troy or a recreational pickup game against other local curlers. Register as a team of four players or as an individual by visiting curltroy.org. Registration required. www.curltroy.org. Age: 18 and up, $20.
Dec. 10-11, 7-10 p.m. — Star-Late Skate: Take in the sights and sounds of downtown, warm up with hot chocolate and enjoy an evening skating alongside the Great Miami River. No registration required. $7, includes skate rental.
Dec. 13, noon-12:30 p.m. — Gliders: Participants (3-10) will learn how to walk and wiggle backward, swizzle and do a two-foot turn. This lesson is for children who have completed Penguin Preschool, Waddles or have the confidence to move around the rink. Arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. $10, includes skate rental. Registration required.
Dec. 13, 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. — Skating Basics: A certified skating instructor will lead beginners (11 and older) through the basics in this half hour class so you can move around the rink safely and comfortably and learn some skills in the process. Arrive 15 minutes prior to start time. $10, includes skate rental. Registration required.
The RiverScape MetroPark ice rink has something for everyone: beginners’ lessons, open skating, broomball and curling, not to mention hot chocolate and music.
The region’s largest outdoor ice rink, in downtown Dayton at 111 E. Monument Ave., is open for a new season of family fun and friendly competition.
“With its appeal to both young and old, the experience of skating at the MetroParks ice rink is a holiday tradition for Miami Valley families looking for something fun to do together,” said James Carter, Five Rivers MetroParks business operations coordinator. “With its location along the riverfront, the MetroParks ice rink also is a great way to experience the outdoors during the cooler weather.”
Whether you’re a skating rookie or have been lacing up your skates for decades, looking for a leisurely afternoon with the family or a competitive night on the ice, there is a full slate of activities to choose from.
Safety first
“A lot of people actually have ice skating on their bucket list,” MetroParks skating instructor Cheri Snyder said. “We want to teach people the safest way to get around the ice and how to skate with confidence.”
Beginner lessons include basic skills as well as safety precautions.
“We go over ways to stop a fall,” Snyder said. “But a fall may be inevitable, so I also make them go down and get up, over and over.
“Lessons can be a real confidence builder.”
Young skaters (3-5) can try the beginners’ Penguin Preschool program or master some fancy footwork in the Gliders class (3-10 years old). Skating Basics programs are also available for all skaters 11 and older.
“We want people to have fun and get out there and we can show you how to do it,” Snyder said. “And do it safely.”
Get out and play
You don’t even need to put on skates to get in on the fun with broomball or curling.
Similar to hockey in its formation and rules, broomball also incorporates some soccer strategies. Some players wear spongy-soled broomball shoes, but athletic shoes and, even, boots can also be spotted on broomball players. A broomball league gets underway at RiverScape in January.
If broomball isn’t your thing, how about trying one of the world’s oldest team sports, curling.
What may have started as an enjoyable pastime of throwing stones over ice during harsh northern European winters has evolved into a popular modern sport with its own World Championships and Olympic competition. Curling is a game played on ice in which large, round, flat granite stones are slid across the surface toward a mark. Members of a team use brooms to sweep the surface of the ice in the path of the stone to control its speed and direction.
Sound fun? You can check out the Casual Curl or join the Curling League.
Just for fun
Open skating is a popular family activity and, beginning in January, the Friday night skates are dedicated to a specific music genre, from Disney to disco and country to karaoke classics.
Snacks and hot chocolate are available at the RiverScape Cafe.
Skating can also be an ideal way to celebrate the holidays with events on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
For a complete list of skating events and activities or to register for lessons, go online to www.metroparks.org/skating.
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