People have been ice skating since the 1500s. Over the years, skating has changed a lot. First came the Dutch roll, then the duck walk, then the swizzles. Ice skate blades have also changed from bone to steel. Do you know what the first ice skates were made of? Sometimes when people wear skates they think their ankles are weak, but is that true? Others are afraid of falling and hitting their head or tailbone on the ice, but is there a solution? Can you learn to skate? Ice skates were originally "reindeer, elk, horse, or walrus bones" attached to leather shoes (Steps to Success 1). “Ice skates were used for hunting on frozen lands in Finland and Scandinavia” (Steps to Success 1). In 1572, instead of bone blades, they were replaced with iron blades. In 1850, the iron blades were replaced by steel blades. The figure skate blades were replaced with two edges and a sawtooth rake in the front for pushes, jumps and pirouettes. Some people don't skate because they're afraid of falling or think they have weak ankles. The myth of weak ankles probably originated from people wearing skates with poor ankle support or an ill-fitting fit. “People don't have weak ankles,” they just don't have skates that fit properly (Steps to Success 5). To have a more enjoyable time and get used to your skates and the ice, there are a few things you can do. Before you get on the ice, walk around with your ice skates to get used to them. Next, practice some knee bends and shift your weight from one leg to the other to regain your balance and get used to your skates. When you get on the ice, grab the wall, practice a few knee bends and shift your weight from one leg to the other to get used to your skates and the ice. Practice lifting each skate off the ice to ensure you...... middle of paper ......p quickly so as not to interfere with other skaters. If you're afraid of falling and hitting your head or tailbone, here's what to do. If you fall, go lower and land on your outer thigh or one of your buttocks. It doesn't matter if you fall forward or backward, just try to land on your thigh or buttock. To stand up, get on your knees, place your hands on the ice, place one foot on the ice and stand up while bringing your other foot to the ice. Remember, there is a way to fall safely onto the ice by getting low. and gently roll onto your buttocks or outer thigh. If you feel like your ankles are weak, you need to check your skates and make sure they have good ankle support. As long as you are careful, you can skate safely. By starting with simple exercises to help you, skating shouldn't be too difficult to learn. Be safe and have fun.