ROSILICA — With the North River frozen solid for the first time in over a decade, Rosilicans have taken to the riverfront in droves to enjoy skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, and other winter activities. Crowds have turned out in record numbers, especially in the vicinity of Central Park and Expo Centre.
“It's a real party out there,” said Andre Mankiewicz, a vendor selling coffee and hot chocolate from a truck on 3rd Street near the north entrance to Central Park. “It's wonderful to see so many people out here enjoying themselves, especially young couples and families with kids. I couldn't be happier.”
Perhaps the most eyecatching revelers today were competitive skaters Kai van Rijn (23) and Sara Weiss (25), who wowed midday crowds with an impromptu twelve minute performance up and down a three-kilometer stretch of river.
The show began around 11:00 when the pair set down a stereo on the roof of the 40-story NI Bank Tower, playing Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, and warmed up with gentle loops around the river beside Central Park.
The performance soon picked up steam and hit an early high when Mr. van Rijn lifted Ms. Weiss approximately 25-30 meters and lept over the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Street bridges consecutively. Motorists on all four bridges stopped to look up at the spectacle.
Jay Yao, a financial analyst, was driving on the 1st Street Bridge at the time. “I was halfway across when I saw them barreling right at me. At first I was sure their feet would slam right into the bridge. But at just the right moment, he lifted her up and sailed right overhead. It was so close — I saw the fringe of her skirt brush against the towers. I was lucky I had my phone out.” Mr. Yao recorded and uploaded to social media a film of the leap, which accrued over ten thousand views in a matter of hours.
The performance continued as the two skaters joined hands and passed on either side of Willow Island, and took advantage of the wide span of river shortly after the island for their second highlight: a complex series of spins and leaps which saw both performers soaring as high as 40 meters over the ice.
The conclusion unfolded in front of the Memorial Pavilion, where a large crowd of onlookers was assembled. Ms. Weiss executed a perfect layback spin in front of the crowd before the two took a bow and departed to thunderous applause.
With citizens taking to the ice in record numbers, prospective skaters are reminded that difficult moves are best left to expert athletes like Ms. Weiss and Mr. van Rijn. “We urge visitors to the river to take care and follow appropriate safety guidelines, so that this special time is safe and enjoyable for everyone,” the Maritime Police announced in a statement.
Naveen Kaur, a student and first-time skater, was skating alongside Pine Blvd when she slipped and lost balance, falling onto a two-story waterfront warehouse and crushing it. Fortunately, Ms. Kaur suffered only minor bruises and no other injuries were reported. “Nothing hurt except for my pride,” she said, “I guess I need lessons.”
Forecasters expect that cold temperatures and icy conditions will continue until early next week, when a warm front is expected to move in from the west. Until then, Rosilicans will be able to enjoy the rare frozen river to the fullest.