Ice Blocking is the sport of kings. Okay, maybe not kings. In fact, no member of any royal family would ever be caught engaging in this "sport". This is strictly an activity for the common people.
Nevertheless, it's a lot of fun, Basically, the idea is that you get a big block of ice, sit on it, and race down a grassy hill using the ice as both sled and snow in one. You can reach very high speeds if the hill is already wet.
Image by Justin Baeder (Wikimedia Commons)
What you will need:
Some big ice blocks. Some service stations and supermarkets sell these, but it's a good idea to call your local stores before you turn up to buy them. Many shops only sell ice in cubes. Alternatively, you can make your own ice blocks. You just need a very large ice-cream tub and enough space in your freezer to put it when you fill it with water.
A towel. You use the towel to stop you from slipping off the block of ice. Simply place the folded towel on top of the ice block and place yourself on top of the towel. Hey Presto, you have an icy sliding machine.
Warm clothes. It can get pretty cold sitting on a block of ice, particularly if you do this in Winter. Woollen jumpers and tracksuit pants are a must, the older and daggier the better. You don't want to get grass stains all over your good clothes. Wear gloves so that your fingers don't drop off from the cold. Also, if you can get waterproof clothing, wearing that would be a good idea too.
Some friends. Ice Blocking is no fun on your own, and the joy you feel in doing it will increase in line with the number of people you are doing it with. This is a good activity for scout groups and other large gatherings of young people.
A big, grassy hill. Search your local area for parks, reserves and drainage basins that might have hills on them. Make sure the hill does not end in trees or other obstacles, otherwise you'll end up on a collision course with them. Start at the top of the hill and push off. The first person to get to the bottom is the winner.
Image by Jame Healy (Wikimedia Commons)
Some people take Ice Blocking quite seriously, custom-designing their ice blocks to include rope handles for extra grip. Some people even put food dye in the water before they freeze it, so that the ice will be a speedy colour.
Wikihow has a basic article on Ice Blocking, and
Wikipedia also has some information. Ice Blocking is banned in some areas, so check your municipal rules and regulations. Who needs snowy mountains when you can have an ice block and a grassy hill?
