According to skating historian and author Marnix Koolhaas, ice-skating is perhaps more rooted in Dutch culture than even the bicycle. A bold statement indeed, but it is not without foundation. The Dutch have a special relationship with water, which does not falter even in the coldest of winters when canals, rivers and lakes across the land freeze over.

Ice-skating is one of the oldest Dutch national sports, learnt from a young age and today a sport that transcends all layers of society. Back in the thirteenth century though, the high price of iron used in making the skates meant that ice-skating was an elitist pastime.
Although there is evidence that ice-skating dates back to prehistoric times, the popularity of skating in Holland surged in the Middle Ages. By the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, during the Little Ice Age in Europe, artists such as Rembrandt and Jan van Goyen were painting winter landscapes incorporating skating scenes, and Dutch poets like Vondel and Bredero were writing about skating.

Skating for Bacon and Beans

Nineteenth century records show skaters participating in tournaments for the prize of “spek en bonen”, quite literally racing for food. This was a way of assisting the poor without giving handouts. The winners of today’s races are usually satisfied with a medal or trophy.

The most famous Dutch ice-skating competition is the Elfstedentocht, a leisure circuit for 16,000 skaters, as well as a competitive race for 300 professional speed skaters.

Covering nearly 200 kilometres skaters begin and end in the Friesian capital of Leeuwarden. In eleven Friesian towns, contestants’ cards are stamped. The reward for returning to Leeuwarden before midnight with a full set of stamps is a medal in the shape of the Maltese cross, a design unaltered since the first organised Elfstedentocht in 1909.

Friesland Looks to the Future

Plans for the centennial of the Elfstedentocht are underway for 15 January 2009, but as always, the event is at the mercy of the weather, and with the threat of global warming looming there is a fear that the tour will become an historical event.
The last circuit took place in 1997, only the fifteenth occurrence since 1909. Little wonder that when the go ahead is given for the tour thousands flock to Friesland to join the festivities.

Undoubtedly, the potential participants will continue to monitor the winter weather forecast closely. For the rest of us, the recent cold spell has presented an opportunity to test this well loved Dutch activity out for ourselves on the canals and brooks across the country.

Amanda van Mulligen

Some Interesting Facts about the Elfstedentocht

• Crown Prince Willem-Alexander took part in the event in 1986 under the pseudonym of W.A van Buren
• The ice must be at least 15cm thick for the tour to take place
• Women participated competitively for the first time in 1985
• In 1956, no winner was declared following the disqualification of five skaters who crossed the line hand in hand, a practice banned by the organisers after shared wins in 1933 and 1940.

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