Ice skating club Odoornerveen is busy preparing the new sledge track. This will also be used for skating, provided the temperature drops below freezing. The track will be constructed behind the gym.
Spike sledding has been a popular winter activity in the village for over a hundred years. “We often start with skating. And when the ice is at its worst, we only start sledding, because that doesn’t improve the ice,” explains village resident Hans Boels. Because a spike sled is a sled that you move on the ice with two sticks that you stick into the ice.
As winters become increasingly mild, a thick layer of ice on the Oranjekanaal in Odoornerveen is a rarity. “Before you can rely on that, you have to have quite a few days of frost,” says Erik Vrieling, chairman of the ice skating association. “That’s why it’s been seven years since we’ve had pin sledding here.”
And that can be done differently, that’s what the ice skating association thought. That is why members are now going to build their own ice rink. “There was immediate enthusiasm for this from the village. Not just for sledding, because the children can also learn to skate here,” says Boels. “We want to keep that tradition alive as an ice skating club.”
“Many people in the Netherlands can skate, but everyone can do spike sledding. From young to old. We have also had elderly people on the spike sled here. That is a laugh, it is great fun and enjoyable,” says Boels.
When sledding, you drag yourself forward, sitting in a sled and holding a stick with a needle or sharp nail in both hands. In a competition you have to sled as quickly as possible towards a pylon, around it and then back to the starting point. If you win a mutual duel, you move further towards a final round.
According to Vrieling, it is important to keep your balance on the ice. “If you sit a little too far back, you will fall backwards. That makes it extra beautiful of course. Especially when it is already thawing, the ice is a bit wet and you also get a wet suit.”
To actually be able to admire the spike sled on the ice this year, a lot still needs to be done. Where both men are still standing on the yellow sand, a layer of white plastic foil will be added this week.
“We all have farmers on the board, so they can use an irrigation pump to ensure that a layer of 10 to 15 centimeters of water is added,” says Vrieling. This way, skating can take place after five days in winter.
Vrieling: “We already have the sledge protocol ready, because as an ice club you have to be able to switch quickly. When the ice is there, we will be there.”