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C:\_G\WWW\~NETIKKA\SALMTI02\INFO\TimoOnIce.php
<http://www.netikka.net/tsneti/info/TimoOnIce.php> Copyright © 1997-2014 by Prof. Timo Salmi Last modified Fri 10-Jan-2014 12:09:02 |
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![]() The equipment![]() ![]() |
Long distance skating (also called tour skating)
is best done on natural sea ice or lake ice when the conditions are
right. The technique is very similar to cross
country skiing with the skating style .
In fact, the same boots and bindings are used, although in skating
the boots' straps must be held much tighter than in
skiing. |
The natural ice is regularly much rougher and the surface more uneven than the smooth rink ice. Furthermore, there often is some snow and frost on the natural ice. Since the skates are rather long (typically between 45-60cm) they absorb much of the hits and the vibrations which the ordinary skates would not. The roughness of the ice, especially if there is some frozen snow, will cause friction (and make the going even more skiing-like). Compared to rink-skating there are several factors and even dangers one has to observe on the natural ice and over the long distances, especially if one skates at the sea.
Q: I have seen on some TV programs presenting long-distance skating that many seem rather to use ordinary hiking boots bound tightly to the skates and only one, short, stiff pole instead of skating skiing boots and the long ski poles. Why is that? A: That observation is correct. There are those two differing alternatives to choose from, although personally I unequivocally prefer the skiing emulating version. The idea behind the ordinary hiking boots indeed is in the idea hiking. If you alternate the skating much with hiking over land, you'll need the hiking boots since the skating skiing boots are not good at all for walking. They are far too specialized for that, being stiff by construction and slippery because of their narrow bottom groove system does not give much purchase. I would say that the option of hiking boots is more versatile for the general outdoors (maybe even for an overnight) while using the skiing skating boots is for concentrating on the best aspects of the actual skating. The biggest technical difference between the two is that the hiking boots are (usually) attached also at the heel while the skiing skating boots have a free heel. (The skates in this option also tend to have a somewhat broader blade.) The problem with the fixed heel is that it is essentially clumsier. The going will both appear and actually be more awkward and slower. Furthermore, the single stiff pole is meant as a good precaution for testing treacherous ice. It is not a useful aid for the going. The long double poles, on the other hand, are for the pushing, just as in skiing. The going with free heels and the skiing poles will be more naturally flowing and decisively faster. Q: Hi! I am keen on tour skating. I have been planning a trip to Finland. Could you help me with my arrangements? Where in Finland should I go for the skating and how to find good accommodation? A: I am very pleased to hear that. I occasionally get these questions. However, this is outside my purview. Please appreciate that as a private person I can't take the time and responsibility to act as a virtual travel guide. To find out about tourist information you are best off using the common travel information channels. They should not be overly difficult to find on the net or through a good travel agency. I hope that this will work for you and that you'll find such arrangements to come to Finland which are to your liking. As for finding suitable tour skating venues in Finland, the same applies. Q: Timo, do you know where I could buy good tour skates overseas at a fair price? Or would you have used skates to sell yourself? A: I am just a hobbyist interested in the actual tour skating, not in trading. I simply can't take the time to get involved in finding tour skates for other hobbyists. Try searching yourself for any good Finnish sports store on the net. As for myself, I am not selling nor buying skating material. Sorry. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Load the pictures at one go |