Sandqvist Nordic Skates
Andreas Thomée, 31, Stockholm
- What's your first memory of long skating?
My first memory is from high school when my teacher thought it was a good idea to bring out 20 teenagers on the perfect frozen ice mirror of lake Siljan on a winters day. I realized it was a great idea and got totally hooked on nordic skating and still am 16 years later. Thanks and big shout out to my teacher Kjell!
- What do you enjoy about long skating?
The nature experience, the excitement of exploring what’s coming up around the next corner, the distances you can easily travel and for sure the peacefulness of just enjoying the moment.
- What are the essentials you are packing for a day of skating?
Except the normal safety gear the most important thing is a serious fika and binoculars.
- Any tips for someone thinking of trying long skating?
Just do it, you won’t regret it.
- Where is your favourite place to long skate?
Lake Siljan is a favorite but the small lakes around Stockholm also gives you a break from the city to enjoy the nature for a bit.
- Whats your best long skating memory?
A sunny day in February 2021 on Bråviken just outside Norrköping. A bit of frozen ocean, company of good friends and the sun in your face is a good combo for a Swede in the winter.
Johan Selin, 35, Nacka
- What's your first memory of long skating?
First memory if ice skating was 10 years ago when me and a couple of friends went out to try something new. We have all been skating since then!
- What do you enjoy about long skating?
I enjoy the freedom and the possibility to take advantage of the “shitty” winters in Stockholm with no snow... perfect conditions for ice skating!
- What are the essentials you are packing for a day of skating?
Essentials for a good day on the ice is something hot to drink, more food than you think you will eat, good friends and all safety gear!
- Any tips for someone thinking of trying long skating?
A good tip for someone who want to try first time is to rent gear before buying! Go to hellasgården and try it out, if you have the energy when you are done you can have a sauna and cold bath.
- Where is your favourite place to long skate?
Favorite place to skate is inside Stockholm.... Preferably next to the city hall and in the city center. Very inspiring to see the city through a new lens and utilize all the water, that during winter, connects different parts of the city.
- Whats your best long skating memory?
My best memory is when we skated through the whole city a few years back. We jumped between cracks and go to skate underneath bridges and through canals. Good times when the conditions are right!
Emma Josefina Obrelius, 33, Bro
What's your first memory of long skating?
Growing up by the water, I’ve always had skating in my life. Going for picnics on the ice was something we did since we were really young. I remember the first time I could go as far as my dad without being tired, the magical first time I really felt that flow in my legs, a cold and sunny day, I was about 14, and that moment is definitely something I will cherish forever.
- What do you enjoy about long skating?
Being one with my body out in nature, the silence, the air, watching the ice shift in color and patterns, the flow in my legs, the snacks-breaks and the tiredness afterwards.
- What are the essentials you are packing for a day of skating?
Safetyequipment, chocolate, oranges, nuts and an extra set up of clothes. Water, chai-tea and my camera.
- Any tips for someone thinking of trying long skating?
Make it an easy and fun experience by setting up a camp and then just hang around by the ice, try it, rest when you get tired, take it slow and easy to really find the pleasure and the way you like it!
- Where is your favourite place to long skate?
On our lake outside my parents home, Björkfjärden in Mälaren, it holds so much memory and is very empty of people, really amazing nature around and even if the ice doesn't always set there, when it does, its magic.
- Whats your best long skating memory?
The first time we took our dog out on the ice, she absolutely loved it and it was so much fun to skate and have her drag us around the lake, even if the weather was really bad and the ice bumpy it was such a fun memory together with my family! Pure happiness.
Erik Nylander, 37, Stockholm
- What's your first memory of long skating?
My first memory from nording skating was mom taking me out on the ocean ice close to home in Sundsvall.
- What do you enjoy about long skating?
I really enjoy the effortless way of moving at full speed over ice. Also I'm fascinated about ice and how alive and uncertain it can be, you always have to be careful and curious when skating to stay safe. Every occasion of skating is different from the other.
- What are the essentials you are packing for a day of skating?
All the security gear and a warm change of clothes if falling in are all essentials for a day on the ice of course. Buut maybe an amazing fika with hot drinks can feel even more important most the time. A small pocket cam is fun to bring too!
- Any tips for someone thinking of trying long skating?
If you’re curious on nordic skating I’d either go with a friend that know it all or contact a local club like Friluftsfrämjandet that will teach you everything you need to know about being safe while skating. Also they arrange a lot of fun trips with groups of different levels and speed so you will always be able to go in the phase you like. Don’t go out by yourself or with people that don’t have the knowledge.
- Where is your favourite place to long skate?
My favourite place to skate is small creeks and places where you can go pretty close to the shore or open water. Or wherever it is clear mirrored ice, then anywhere is amazing.
- Whats your best long skating memory?
Going with my mother, sister and some other people on the sea outside Sundsvall. The ice first had broken up and separated in blocks, and then new ice froze on top so we were skating on a spiderweb of iceblocks that made it look like we were jumping in between ice blocks.
