“We already started the preparations on Saturday,” says a volunteer of the Koek-en-Zopiekra straaf. Because the spring break in the Noord region started today, it was already pleasantly busy on the ice rink immediately after the opening.
Closed on time
Unfortunately, the ice fun was only short -lived and the track closed before noon. The bright sun began to melt the ice, making it too dangerous to skate. Not all skating enthusiasts had taken this into account. “I came here with my daughter all the way from Bloemendaal. But we were just too late, so we’re going back home,” said a man who arrived at the now melted job around noon.
The early closure was necessary to maintain the quality of the ice as much as possible, Ice master Nico Kuipers explains. He would like to open the ice rink tomorrow morning. “By closing on time, there is more ice. That saves us work tonight to make a good ice floor for tomorrow morning. “
In the starting blocks for tomorrow
To prepare the track again, Kuipers will work hard with a number of other volunteers last night. “As soon as it starts to freeze again, preferably two degrees below zero, we apply a new layer of water to the course with a tractor. If that layer is frozen, we will repeat it.” The process takes about all night. “But luckily the ice masters alternate in teams,” laughs Kuipers.
Thanks to the efforts of Kuipers and his team, it is possible to skate again in Kudelstaart tomorrow morning. The course officially opens at 9.00. According to the ice club, the quality of the ice is the best in the morning, so skating enthusiasts are advised to come as early as possible. For the latest updates, interested parties can also visit the Facebook page of Stichting Skeelerbaan & Natuurijsbaan Kudelstaart.