Canal ice-skating marathon

Also known as Schaatsen op natuurijs

When canals, rivers and lakes freeze hard, people in the Netherlands skate long distances over natural ice, from friendly tours to timed races of many kilometres. Long even strokes and a steady rhythm count for more than a sprint.

Play the preview About this tradition

Canal ice-skating marathon: photograph by Joop van Bilsen / Anefo — Photo: Joop van Bilsen / Anefo, CC0, source on Wikimedia Commons

Canal ice-skating marathon: the game in attract mode

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How to play

Tap Push to set off, then push again just as the ring has closed.
Even gaps between pushes give the longest glides; a push too soon scrapes the ice.
Keep behind or close to the pace skater ahead to save strength.
Skate three stretches of the frozen loop; each stretch is a little harder.

Rules at a glance

The ring starts with your last push and closes after one stroke interval.
A headwind slows every skater a little all the way round.
Snow drifts, gates and patches of rough ice make the timing window smaller.
Stars come from your finishing place and how even your strokes were.

About the tradition

Natural-ice skating on frozen canals is a winter tradition across the Netherlands. The best-known tour crosses Friesland in the north, passes through eleven historic towns and covers almost 200 km, but it is held only when the ice is thick enough along the whole route, sometimes with gaps of many years.

Origins

Usually placed in the era of Age of Contact and Craft (about 1500 to 1800), although its exact origins are uncertain, within the cultural world of Celtic and Atlantic Europe.

Credits

Photograph reference: Joop van Bilsen / Anefo, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Joop van Bilsen / Anefo, CC0, source on Wikimedia Commons
Text: CC BY-SA 4.0, World Heritage Games.

Sources

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Elfstedentocht,_reportage,_Bestanddeelnr_90

Get the app

Canal ice-skating marathon is one of 18 sports and skill games in the Sports & Skill of the World app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Submitted to the App Store and Google Play; in review. Store links appear here the day it goes live. One app, many traditions, no account needed.

See all 18 sports and skill games in the app

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