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| Cold Weather Skating |
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It's winter in New York City and you're wondering whether or not you can
still skate outdoors. Well, there's no need to hibernate! The Empire Skate
Club enjoys year-round skating in New York City, right through the coldest
winters. It's safe and fun as long as the streets are dry.
If you can ski or play in the snow, you can skate in the winter. All you have to do is dress properly. Layering and venting are the keys to comfortable winter skating; it works wonders and it does not have to be expensive (you probably already own some of the layering options described). You can also find good bargains at various discount sports, outdoor sports, camping stores, outlets and elsewhere on the internet. When low temperatures and wind combine to create frostbite conditions, using layers makes it easier to add or remove clothing, keeping you warm throughout the day or night. The number and type of layers you use depends on the temperature, wind, skating intensity, perspiration rate, and tolerance for cold. By wearing the proper clothing, you can skate outdoors and have fun as well. So, don't let cold weather keep you from skating. Skate throughout the winter and you'll be that much better when warmer weather finally rolls around! There are many ways and places you can skate when it's cold, by yourself and with a group. One option is Empire's Tuesday Night Skate (TNS). The TNS is active year-round and cold weather alone does not keep this feisty group from enjoying the great outdoors. They only cancel in the event of rain or snow. The Empire Skate Club also plans occasional weekend outings through our winter wonderland so, if you are a club member, check your email for details and get rolling! Upper Body For the upper body, start from the skin and work outward. Begin by wearing a breathable, non-absorbent, wicking layer. No matter what the temperature is you will always perspire when skating, and moisture is a conductor of cold so you want to wick it away from your skin. Cotton and wool are no-no's for this inner layer because they act as sponges, trapping moisture near your skin where the cold can reach it, freezing it and you. Recommendations for this layer are polypropylene, Dryfit, Coolmax, silk, and Capitene. The next, or middle, layer is used to trap air that helps to insulate you and keep you warm. Wool, thermals, Duofold, Polartec, Polarfleece, or other fleece material are recommended. Even cotton can work, depending on how much you perspire. The final layer should be a windproof outer layer. This layer should also be breathable and ventable. Legs For the legs, which are less susceptible to cold, start with an inner layer of cotton, silk, or breathable underwear. Move on to a middle layer of silk, Duofold, or other thermal long johns. The final outer layer should be windproof. Try nylon pants, or special windproof, breathable, lightly fleeced bicycling tights. Hands & Feet Protect those extremities! Fingers will always get cold in frigid weather so be sure to cover them with gloves or mittens. Gloves and mittens do not replace wrist guards. Make sure that your wrist guards will fit over (or under) whatever hand-warming gear you select. Some people wear special winter biking or ski gloves, but most wear ordinary gloves made from various materials (wool, synthetic, insulated leather, even cashmere). Feet also get chilly. To keep those toes warm, try a polypropylene type of sock. One pair should be enough. In fact, wearing multiple pairs of socks can create painful friction and blisters. Head & Face You can lose up to 60% of your body heat by not covering your head. This body heat can be retained to keep you warm instead. The trick here is to make sure that whatever winter protection you wear on your head fits under your helmet, which you should always wear when skating. A balaclava is an excellent choice because it is extremely thin and covers everything but the eyes. Some skaters wear facemasks. These masks are usually made of neoprene, which skiers, snow boarders, scuba divers, and extreme mountain climbers have wore for years for extra warmth. Other skaters wear facemasks in the form of a bandana made from cotton, silk, or a synthetic fabric (just be careful rolling into a bank wearing one of these). Another good choice is a headband, which keeps the ears and forehead warm. Some skaters wear thin caps or bandanas under their helmets. Experiment and see what works for you. Eyes You should always wear eye protection when skating to shield your eyes from the sun, wind, cold, dust and other particles that can get into your eyes as you speed along on your skates. Wear sunglasses during the day, and switch to clear, amber, or rose tinted lenses at night. During the winter, this eyewear performs double-duty by also keeping the cold wind from drying out your eyes. |