DuluthCommunityNews

But Bayfront Park rink, Duluth’s only public skating rink operated by the city, is far from crowded. Of the six people on the ice, only two of them are skating. The other four are simply walking across the ice, which is caked with a thin layer of snow.

The two skaters, Zack Muckala and Peter Hannegraf, find themselves at Bayfront rink in an attempt to improve Hannegraf’s skating ability.

At first, it looks as though Hannegraf is walking on his skates. He looks very unsure of himself as he leans forward and takes very small strides one after another.

Muckala instructs Hannegraf to dig into the ice with his skate blades, rather than lifting his feet and stepping as he has been doing. Muckala shows what he means by planting his skates firmly on the ice and twisting one foot. This maneuver, which Muckala called a “c-cut� produces a harsh grinding sound.

Hannegraf laughs, knowing that he will have trouble emulating what his friend just did.

“I’m re-learning why I never skated or played hockey,� Hannegraf said. “I’m more worried about learning how to stop.�

Muckala then attempts to show Hannegraf how to stop in the most basic way, which is by leaning both skates inward until running out of momentum. This is affectionately known as the “snow plow stop.�

Hannegraf continues to walk on his skates as cars are heard racing northbound on Interstate 35 in the background. He begins to feel confident that he can learn how to brake with the snow plow technique, as he learned to stop the same way when he went skiing as a child.

“I like to think of myself as being on the bunny hill right now,� Hannegraf says.

After attempting to cut through the ice for a short period of time, Hannegraf gives up. He then works hard at utilizing his newfound way to put on the brakes. It takes him a while, but he is soon able to stop at will, even if it takes him a while to reach a complete halt. Hannegraf says he is a huge fan of the National Hockey League and the Minnesota Wild, and if he could learn anything it would be to stop on a dime and watch the snow spray from his skate blades.

Muckala shows him how it is done. From a dead stop he sprints to the center of the rink, turns his body and drives his blades deep into the glossy surface. Snow sprays waist high as his skates make a shearing sound.

“I see why he wants to be able to do that. I remember how excited I was when I learned how to slam on the breaks like the pros do,� Muckala said.

Hannegraf decides to try and slam on the brakes just once. After hitting his top speed, he becomes a bit hesitant and tries to dig in with his blades. The end result is him on his backside, being fully reminded of how painful a spill on the ice can be.

“Yeah that was one try too many,� Hannegraf said.

Following the painful realization that ice is hard, the two friends are also reminded of how cold life on the ice is. A brisk wind pierces exposed skin as the ice seems to howl. The teacher and student quickly decide to make their exit.

“It’s too bad I had to end the day on my back,� Hannegraf said.