Skating on the Canal
It's the magical time of year when the Canal is open for skating and everyone is out enjoying winter in the Nation's capital. As much as I enjoy skating, skating on the Rideau is not always a walk in the park and I blame the superstar skaters who think they are all that and a Beaver Tail. I've classified these participants into a few categories and even took some choice photographs to illustrate their annoying techniques.
The Cellphoner
Here is a good example of the classic cellphoner in action. This particular guy was lucky enough not to fall, but I have seen many people busy on their cell phones while they are trying to maneuveur the rough ice surface and let me tell you, it is not pretty. They can't hear properly, they are generally shouting into the phone, and they are unsteady and weaving around oblivious to the fact that they are cutting people off left and right. And as you can see, the typical cellphoner is any age, gender and ability level - teenage girls are not the worst offenders.
Yes, the cellphoner is one of my least favorite kinds of Canal skaters
Yes, the cellphoner is one of my least favorite kinds of Canal skaters
Children
Need I say anymore?
Unsupervised children on the Canal are plentiful and the cause of the majority of accidents and injuries that occur. I love kids, but parents, please. Watch what your kids are doing and stop encouraging them to race around at breakneck speeds running into people!
Unsupervised children on the Canal are plentiful and the cause of the majority of accidents and injuries that occur. I love kids, but parents, please. Watch what your kids are doing and stop encouraging them to race around at breakneck speeds running into people!
Hand-Holders
I know I know, I'm single so I just don't get this incessant need to be permanently attached to another person. Hand-holders are very common on the Canal as love birds young and old skate down the ice together. While I appreciate the sentiment, I find it appalling when these couples will not break apart despite who or what is in front of them. They will literally clothesline other skaters in order to keep that connection. I sometimes wonder if they think the other person is going to vanish if they release the grip for two minutes...
The Snap Happy
Last but certainly not least, the most disruptive of the bunch.....the camera-wielding skaters who insist on posing their entire group of friends in the middle of the skating path for a group shot. These people maybe don't notice how much of the main skating area they are consuming but it's pretty clear to the rest of us as we try our best to dodge them. My favorite is when they glare at you angrily for messing up their photo... because they are the most important people on the canal you know
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OK, so I realize I'm being a little bit cynical here when the Canal should really be a fun experience and I should be more tolerable of other skaters but a little common sense really does go a long way :)
Happy Skating!
Happy Skating!