On a brisk Monday morning in August, a group of would-be ice-skaters gathered at Flinders Street Station for an icy adventure. Joined by Miriam, the organiser, from Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria (BSRV), we kick started the day with a quick coffee and a roll-call before boarding a tram to the O’Brien Icehouse in the Docklands.
Upon our arrival at the Icehouse, we were warmly welcomed by the staff despite the chilly environment. We met four young, experienced coaches who introduced us to ice-skating. They provided us with detailed explanations, descriptions and demonstrations of how to move safely on the ice.
Before stepping onto the ice, we practised walking on the floor to get a feel for the movement. The coaches understood that it was the first time on the ice for many of us, but we didn’t need to have any concerns about trying this amazing new activity because they were so encouraging.
After the introductory lesson, we were equipped with skates, helmets and gloves. There were also knee and elbow pads for those who wanted extra protection. In hindsight, I probably should have borrowed every piece of protective gear available.
The first part of the lesson focused on mastering the art of falling and getting up – a skill that I alone seemed to need. While I was working on that, many others in the group were already gliding smoothly and steadily around the rink doing laps. I have no idea how everyone, except for me, managed to stay upright.
For those of us who were not feeling overly confident, we didn’t miss out on any of the fun. We got to sit on plastic seals which were really designed for little kids to be pushed around on the ice. The coaches skated behind us, pushing the plastic seals as we relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
After the skating session, we walked over the road to Yassas Greek restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious lunch and shared our thoughts about ice skating. Most people were eager to go back again, but for me and one other person, it was a wonderful experience to cross off our bucket list.
It was so much fun! A big thankyou to Miriam from BSRV and the wonderful kind, caring and experienced coaches at the Icehouse for an unforgettable experience.
This event was made possible thanks to the support of the City of Melbourne.
