Now that the first layers of ice are quickly forming, a lot of skating enthusiasts are starting to itch. In fact, the first daredevils have already put a few kilometers on it. With all the associated risks. Because when is it really safe to enter such a frozen puddle? “It may creak a little.”
A good layer of ice? “It is at least 10 to 12 centimeters thick,” says Theo Weterings of IJsclub Terheijden. With about 40,000 square meters, they have one of the largest natural ice rinks in the Netherlands. And that immediately brings Weterings to an important side note. “It all depends depending on the size of the water. It makes a difference whether you have a small fen or a huge piece, like here.”
Now you can of course easily check whether the ice layer has grown far enough. “When our ice master goes out, he drills a hole. This way he can then measure exactly how thick the layer already is. In principle, you can do that yourself. Make a small hole and hang a measuring tape in it.”
Yet, according to ice master Hans Uithoven of Ice Club Juliana in Babyloniënbroek, there are dangerous disadvantages. “Perhaps a piece in the middle of the puddle only froze later. For example, because it is in the lee. Perhaps the ice there is only a centimeter or two thick. So very unreliable.”
Measuring is therefore no guarantee. But how far can you get with your own senses? “In any case, you don’t have to be afraid of cracking,” says Uithoven. “In fact, personally I’m more afraid of ice that doesn’t crack. Furthermore, the ice must be as dark as possible.”
Weterings agrees. “A good ice layer almost takes on a bluish tint at a certain point. At the edge it sometimes looks a bit cloudy, because of all the dirt in the water that washes up. But it has to be crystal clear in the middle.”
Still, according to Weterings, it always remains a risk. He would therefore rather see people drive a bit to tie the irons on a safe track like in Terheijden. “Inspectors are constantly walking around here. Weak spots are immediately cordoned off, so that no one actually ever gets into trouble.”
Ice master Uithoven agrees. “It sounds crazy, but with temperatures of around -8, ice really doesn’t grow that fast. And don’t think: this is shallow, so it’s possible here. People often only take into account the chance of drowning, but you can also break your legs if you fall through such a hole. Then choose a flooded meadow.”
Egbert Lutke from Helmond was the first skater on the Buntven near Deurne on Tuesday.
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