Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Held learns what's needed to speed skate as he gets a lesson from Kip Carpenter, head coach of the Swift Speed Skating Team. Video by Michael Sears
When I was a kid, my dad got me into hockey. I was hopeless. Then he put me in figure skating, and I did ok… but really, I just wanted to go fast. My young fantasy was to speed skate the frozen canals in Holland; I believe I would’ve excelled in that sport. Years later I became a Zamboni driver; keeper and maintainer of the ice. Occasionally we would host figure skating competitions. This required our refrigeration system to work at maximum capacity. Ice for figure skating is very hard compared to softer hockey ice. I don’t know for sure, but I bet speed skating ice is equally hard. Anyway, I never became an accomplished skater, but at least I can say I know how to run a Zamboni.
When I was a kid, my dad got me into hockey. I was hopeless. Then he put me in figure skating, and I did ok… but really, I just wanted to go fast. My young fantasy was to speed skate the frozen canals in Holland; I believe I would’ve excelled in that sport.
Years later I became a Zamboni driver; keeper and maintainer of the ice. Occasionally we would host figure skating competitions. This required our refrigeration system to work at maximum capacity. Ice for figure skating is very hard compared to softer hockey ice. I don’t know for sure, but I bet speed skating ice is equally hard.
Anyway, I never became an accomplished skater, but at least I can say I know how to run a Zamboni.
He did really good for his first time!
Haha! His head is down taking notes instead of watching 🤣
Genuinely useful.
For not skating - wow!