In ancient times economic life came to a hold when winter became severe. Ice skating then was just a popular pastime. But in the low-lying and water rich Netherlands it also made it possible to make rather long journeys at a low budget. The frozen canals became highways and good skaters rather quickly rode 50 miles or so to visit their relatives in towns they had to walk to for many more hours in summer time.
Not much has changed in the course of time. Also nowadays when temperature is low enough to freeze the waterways thousands take their ice skates and make a tour. Maybe the Netherlands is the only country in the world where skating tours is that popular that it is hardly imaginable that one has not at least once participated. Through the ages people from abroad have been astonished to see how the Dutch are warmed by the cold of the winter. They seem to become metamorphosed. Even slowcoaches become active and full of energy.
Since
skating tourism for many was the only source of income the communities
tried to promote it by publishing maps and guides to attract skaters.
They also maintained a system of ice way management. Contracts were concluded with local skating clubs
and individuals for keeping certain tracks free of snow,
for equalizing the ice surface and marking holes and cracks.
Not only the pubs along the canals tried to earn something. They had to
compete with commoners that tried to sell hot drinks and something to
eat. Others tried to sell local specialities as a token of remembrance.
And lots of men swept the ice expecting some tip when being
passed.
Organized tours
At present the economic factor has decreased. But ice skating is still a
popular pastime attracting lots of people that are prepared to take a
day-off. Organized tours are offered throughout the Netherlands by local
ice clubs (and nearly any town has one!). They compete to be the first
to offer tours in the open on natural ice. These tours comprise various
distances of which 25 kilometres/20 miles is considered to be a short
one. The ultimate tours are 200 kilometres/165 miles long. We then speak
of marathons. Often the tours are divided in two classes: the
competitive skaters start first and the pleasure skaters next. For both
categories the reward is some medal or pennon.
Natural
ice
What distinguishes touring skating from all other kinds
of track skating is that it is done on natural ice. It requires more
power then skating on artificial ice and the circumstances can be heavy.
Nevertheless the real skater is fond of it and looks forward to it again
as soon as the spring arrives.
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