An ice skating club that is disappointed because there is too much ice. That is almost what is going on in Nijeveen. The water from the ice rink is used annually for a New Year’s dive, but that will not take place tomorrow because there is too much ice.
They can laugh about it in Nijeveen. “It is of course a shame, but in our hearts we remain an ice skating club,” says Klaas Jan Bijker, chairman of Ice and Skating Club Nijeveen. “Hopefully we can open as soon as possible in 2026 for skating. The ice is more important.”
They are not going to remove the ice layer for a New Year’s dive. Especially not because it looks so nice, says Bijker. “We haven’t had any snow so the structure of the ice is perfect. And it is beautiful black ice.”
The thickness alone is not enough to go skating. It is now 4 to 5 centimeters thick, to be able to skate properly on the ice and roller rink in Nijeveen at least 8 centimeters is needed. “The weather seems to be heading that way.” He hopes to be able to open next week.
Nijeveen’s swimming lake is just across the road. The association has considered moving the New Year’s dive there. “But for safety reasons we don’t do that. It is quite a walk from the water to our clubhouse where everyone can take a hot shower.” There are no facilities available at the Tussenboerslanden Recreational Lake. “Then it is irresponsible to let people walk so far in the cold.”
The New Year’s dive in Nijeveen has been held for about thirty years. “In recent years we have had about 30 or 40 people come to dive here. They come not only from Nijeveen but also from the surrounding area. That is very nice.”