One of the most agreeable and simple figures for pair skating is the “once-back.” Both partners skate this figure on the same foot and simultaneously. The gentleman stands to the lady’s left, her hands behind and to the left touching his. A bold, strong outside edge circle is started by each skater on the right foot. When one-third the circle has been skated a three is made and immediately an outside edge backward stroke on the other foot. Both partners are now going backward on left outside edges. When two-thirds of the circle has been skated a three on the left foot is made and the pair strike out on the right outside forward edges to the spot where the figure was begun. The gentleman’s arm should slightly support the partner at the three turns.
After the change of edges, starting on outside and then on inside edges forward, have been mastered, touching hands and with release of hands, the next figures to introduce are the changes of edge with a three. This figure is known as the “Q,” and is by no means as difficult as it looks when skated by two. It is started on the outside edge, both partners holding hands behind the lady’s back. Then follows a change of edge and a deeply cut three, during the execution of which the lady is swung strongly around the man at the finish of the figure.
“CHARLOTTE” and IRVING BROKAW in correct waltzing position.
The most popular and one of the easiest of pair skating figures is the waltz. There can be no comparison between the delight of waltzing on ice and waltzing on a ballroom floor. There is an exhilaration and rhythm about ice waltzing which nothing equals. The skating stroke is long and swaying and fits the music better than dancing steps can be made to do. Probably the waltz, owing to its ease of accomplishment, will be the most stimulating influence toward making ice skating popular among both men and women. Almost any couple capable of skating the simplest of the school figures can learn the waltz on ice, whether they dance or not, in a very few trials.
The steps are the forward and backward outside edges and the threes. One has the advantage of a partner at the threes who is placed where help in the balance is most desired. There is an advantage in knowing the change of edge, but it is often attempted for the first time in this waltz skating. The only disadvantage in the waltz which women who are not good skaters experience, is due to the fact that the woman skates backward most of the time so as to allow her partner to lead. There is more danger of bad collisions on the ice floor than on the ballroom floor and a good waltzing partner is even more desirable on the ice than in the ballroom.
The waltz is started with the woman skating the backward outside edge while her partner skates the forward outside edge. After a short stroke a three is made by each on the foot with which the stroke was started, then a stroke on the outside edge of the opposite foot, another three and then a third stroke on the same foot with which the figure was commenced. Here a change of edge can be made and the figure carried out into the form of an eight. There are innumerable variations of this simple figure, including undulations or waves made by changing edge at various places, the figure can be directed into large or small circles and continued in spirals or circles. It is possible to make of it a very carefully located figure skated to place or a bold, free figure skated in field.
Care should be exercised to keep the strokes in time with the music and to make the strokes of each partner match. There should be no conscious effort or swinging of the partner. Do not cross the balance foot over the skating foot as the new stroke is made nor raise the balance foot high during any of the strokes. After the third stroke of the waltz step has been made let there be a slight change of edge by the lady; this will bring her into the right position, slightly across her partner’s line of direction and place them both in the right position for the new stroke. Skate rhythmically and sway to the time of the music. Skate deliberately and with every appearance of enjoying it. Nothing could be further from good form in ice waltzing than a fast, nervous method revealing insecurity of balance and pose.
Spirals are splendid figures for pair skating. They may be skated on outside or inside edges, with the man behind and facing in the same direction or in front on the opposite foot and facing in the opposite direction. In this latter pose some of the most daring and spectacular of skating movements can be executed; they are as easy as they are striking.
Jumps and pirouettes, done by both partners or by one, are also pair skating possibilities. One of the most spectacular pair skating jumps consists of a leap by the lady from the outside forward edge to the outside backward edge around her partner, or sometimes almost over his shoulder. This is done at high speed and is very pretty as well as very daring. This is true skating and at the same time acrobatic skating of the most difficult character.