Ice skating in the Netherlands
Ice skating originates in Northern Europe, most likely in the Netherlands. The word `skate' comes from the Dutch word `schaats,' which traces its origin to `schenkel,' the leg bone of an animal, which were the very first materials used for blades. As early as the 14th century, Dutchmen were using leather straps to fasten wooden shoes or thick woolen to iron blades and gliding across the frozen canals. Before the era of Jeeps and Land Rovers, ice skating afforded isolated Dutch farmers a way of reaching friends and relatives. More than a recreational sport, it was a vital means of transportation during the winter.
