Ice Skating Enthusiasts Seize Last Chance to Glide on Frozen Waters in East Frisia
As a surge in temperatures looms, ice skaters in East Frisia take advantage of the final frost to twirl and glide across frozen water bodies, including an inundated field in Leer district. A local sports club transformed the field by flooding it with water from a nearby canal. Since the ice thickened sufficiently, intrepid winter sports enthusiasts have been venturing onto the icy expanse.
"Natural ice is a highlight, and when the ice is solid, we East Frisians have to get out there," exclaimed ice skater Johann Sandersfeld.
Ice skating, known locally as "schöfeln," holds a cherished tradition in East Frisia during winter months. In times past, when roads in the region were less developed, traversing frozen canals and ditches served as a common mode of visiting neighbors. Today, "schöfeln" remains a beloved winter pastime for East Frisians—when temperatures and frost permit.
The flooded field in Neermoor, Moormerland municipality, has attracted a fair share of winter sports enthusiasts. Due to the relatively thin layer of water spread across the field, it freezes rapidly. "This provides a safe skating surface, and even if you do happen to break through, the shallow depth prevents you from getting trapped under the ice," explained Peter Steinke from the Ostfriesland Ice Skating Association.
However, many ice surfaces in Lower Saxony are far from being adequately frozen. For instance, the municipal administration in Hanover strongly advised against venturing onto frozen bodies of water. "Disregarding this prohibition puts you in mortal danger," the warning stated. The ice on the Maschsee lake, for example, is still much too thin and unstable. Only when the ice thickness reaches a consistent 13 centimeters or more can the ice be considered safe for public use.
According to meteorologists, the frost is unlikely to persist for much longer. The German Weather Service predicts light rain between Ems and Weser on Thursday, accompanied by daytime temperatures reaching up to nine degrees Celsius. Overnight temperatures are also expected to remain above freezing.
