Say,does anyone happen to know what Rink in History was the very first Rink to ever offer a Freestyle Session?
On the flip side, it would also be interesting to see where the first "public" sessions with rental skates were offered... since back in the early days of figure skating it seems like skating was only something you did if you owned your own skates.
Since until the very late 1800's everyone skated on natural (pond) ice, I doubt there were any 'freestyle' sessions until the development of artificial ice since pond ice always appears to be publicly accessible. I think the first artificial ice was in London in the 1890's. It was pretty clear that the ice was reserved for what we would call publics and some skating demonstrations or shows. (no not our kind of shows). The first Worlds was in 1896 in St Petersburg. So we're looking at a rink with artificial ice (not a pond with natural ice) open in Europe sometime in the last decade of the 19th century. Since worlds had both figures and freestyle, one of those rinks probably set up reserved ice for competitors to practice. Since the skating star of the era was Gerhard Fuchs, we're probably looking in Germany, probably Berlin.
According to this website (and others) http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/artificial_ice_rink.html
The first artifical ice rink was in London, England, in December 1841, but it was not water based.
The first water based one was May 1876.
This doesn't answer the rental skate question, but it's interesting to know, I think.
Quote from: Skittl1321 on June 20, 2011, 04:06:47 PM
According to this website (and others) http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/artificial_ice_rink.html
The first artifical ice rink was in London, England, in December 1841, but it was not water based.
The first water based one was May 1876.
This doesn't answer the rental skate question, but it's interesting to know, I think.
70's 90's what's a couple of decades between friends.