People have been ice skating since the 1500s. Skating has changed a lot over the years. First came the Dutch Roll, then the duck walk and then the swizzles. Ice skate blades also transitioned from bone to steel. Do you know what the first ice skates were made of? Sometimes when people wear skates they think they have weak ankles, but do they? Others are afraid of falling and hitting their head or tailbone on the ice, but is there a solution? Can you learn to skate? Ice skates originated as "reindeer bones, elk bones, horse bones or walrus teeth" tied to leather shoes (Steps to Success 1). “Ice skates were used for hunting on frozen terrain in Finland and Scandinavia” (Steps to Success 1). In 1572 instead of the bone blades they were replaced with iron blades. In 1850 the iron blades were replaced by steel blades. The skate blades are changed to two edges and a sawtooth rake at the front for pushes, jumps and rotations. Some people don't skate because they are afraid of falling or believe they have weak ankles. The myth of weak ankles probably originated from people wearing skates with little ankle support or that didn't fit properly. “People don't have weak ankles,” they just don't have skates that fit well (Steps to Success 5). To have a more enjoyable time and get used to the skates and ice, there is something you can do. Before you get on the ice, take the skates for a spin to get used to them. Then practice a few knee bends and shift your weight from one leg to the other to find your balance and get used to the skates. When you get on the ice, grab the wall and practice a few knee bends and shift your weight from one leg to the other to get used to the skates and ice. Practice lifting each skate off the ice to ensure you y...... middle of paper ......p quickly so you don't get in the way of other skaters. If you're afraid of falling and hitting your head or tail bone, here's what to do. If you're falling, lower yourself and land on one of your outer thighs or one of your buttocks. It doesn't matter if you're falling forward or backward, just try to land on your thigh or butt. To stand, get on your knees, place your hands on the ice, place one foot on the ice, and stand up while bringing the other foot onto the ice. Remember, there is a way to safely land on the ice by ducking and gently rolling onto your butt or outer thigh. If you feel like you have weak ankles, you should check your skates and make sure they have good ankle support. As long as you are careful, you can skate safely. By starting with simple helping exercises, skating shouldn't be too difficult to learn. Be careful and have fun.