I like ice skating as much as the next person, but going to the supersized ice rink that is the Pettit with a good friend is unbeatable winter fun.  The skates were old, often times too loose or too hard to be re-laced, but it was well worth it.  Even if you have never skated before, the night at the Pettit was the perfect opportunity to learn. People of every skating skill level were present. Here are a few tips that are easy to remember for first time skaters.

1. Don’t try and put all your weight into moving forward right away, establish balance first. 
2. Don’t try to stand straight. If your body leans forward to help establish your center of gravity while on ice–let it! Your body knows what it’s doing.
3. Keep your arms out. This not only helps to keep your balance but it will also keep you from hurting yourself if you fall.  Better to have cold, red hands and bruised knees than a broken nose. 

Ice skating is very similar to roller blading once you have found your balance.  To move forward, simply push off with the side of your skate blade. To stop, especially if you are new to ice skating, it’s easiest to glide to a point where you can grab onto a wall, or walk on the rubber covered floor.
This Late Night Marquette event was hosted by the Marquette University Student Government.   But just because MUSG only hosts one night at the Pettit doesn’t mean that students can’t still enjoy ice skating with their buddies. The Pettit is open daily and public skating times and lessons information are available online at http://www.thepettit.com