Ice skating has a long history. In fact the origins of ice skating date back to the early ninth century. The purpose then was far more practical, however, than recreational. The earliest ice skates are believed to have been found in London and made of horse bone. It is believed that these skates served utilitarian purposes such as movement from place to place in order to search or scavenge for food rather than the largely recreational purpose that most ice skates have in modern society.

Ice skating over the centuries has become more of a recreational activity and provides long hours of entertainment to both skaters and spectators alike. From figure skating to ice hockey all around the world there is a fondness for this particular activity that transcends time and speaks volumes about both the complexity of this activity and the simplicity of it.

Ice skating is a sport that is both loved and hated by its practitioners. For some the entire sport is ice skating, for others the actual act of skating on ice is simply one aspect of a very complex and multifaceted activity. And others are simply content to skate. In and of itself ice skating provides a significant challenge for those just learning and becomes second nature to those who have been doing it for long periods of time.

The difficulty of ice skating is much like that of roller skating. Once you learn, you never really forget. You may have a few unsteady moments in the beginning after a long absence but all in all it comes rushing back once you get out there and try again. Whether you are an avid skater or simply a breathless spectator of the sport, I'm sure you've found the dichotomy between the beauty of figure skating and the brutality of ice hockey fascinating. I know I certainly have.