Ice skating on Quincy’s riverfront. I know what you’re thinking: I’m very graceful. 
It was 60 degrees.
We were ice skating.
Outside.
And it was AMAZING!!
This past weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to check out Quincy’s newest outdoor attraction, “River Skate.” The business, owned by Quincy natives Chris and Marion Dye, opened last week on the Quincy Riverfront.
Romantic skate-date!
River Skate is much what you’d expect from an outdoor ice rink. Patrons are greeted by a friendly staff at a cute wooden warming hut where they can rent hockey-style skates in all sizes and pick up Pepsi, hot chocolate or snacks. The staff is happy to help you find the right size skates and even help the kids get laced up and moving on the rink. There are benches to change into your skates and to tuck your shoes underneath.
There’s just one major difference between River Skate and your average outdoor rink- it’s that River Skate has no ice!
River Skate employs a unique synthetic ice surface called Super-Glide. According to the press release, Super-Glide is, “A specially engineered polymer and lubricant, with precise production methods and an innovative assembly method; which come together to make Super-Glide® an almost magical synthetic ice surface.”
But the real question was: how would the synthetic ice feel to skate on?
The answer: it was great!
Justin was the best skater there… until a 7 year kid old showed up…
Justin and I laced up some freshly-sharpened skates and stepped tentatively out onto the surface, and after the first ten feet I could tell that River Skate was really on to something great. The surface felt smooth and unbroken and just like regular ice. The synthetic surface even peels up a little around your skates and creates a sort of synthetic ‘snow’ that clings to the outside of the blades. To this untrained skater, there was no noticeable difference between this surface and an ice rink.
Well, that’s not true. There was one noticeable difference: I wasn’t cold! It was gorgeous outside and we were skating in t-shirts! Quincy’s climate just isn’t consistently cold enough to freeze an outdoor rink, and refrigeration that’s required of regular ice is both loud and expensive (besides, where would you get a Zamboni in Central Illinois??) so synthetic ice is a great fit for this area.
Justin Gangnam Style Skating
Justin and I really enjoyed our afternoon on the ice. It’s an innovative use of Quincy’s riverfront area and the Bayview Bridge makes a photogenic backdrop for all the fun. I loved that the rink pipes fun music out while you skate- you should have seen Justin skate Gangnam Style…!
There were maybe 15 other skaters on the rink when we were there- a good mix of kids and adults- and more arriving when I was finally worn out and ready for some lunch. Owner Chris Dye explained that there are going to be some great theme-night skates coming up, and that the regular hours will also be expanded while kids are out on winter break.
I hope everyone gets the chance to go down to the river and experience this new Quincy adventure! It’s inspiring to see a pair of local entrepreneurs bringing a unique activity to this area and to help develop Quincy’s riverfront. If you’re going, give me a call… you know, I gotta go work on my double axel… 
Owner Chris Dye shows off the great new hockey style skates. Patrons are also allowed to bring their own skates (any style) provided the staff checks them for safety first.
WHAT: River Skate, Quincy’s First Outdoor Synthetic Ice Rink
WHERE: Clat Adams Park (Quincy Riverfront between the bridges, or kind of in front of Kutter’s Bar and Grill)
COST: Only $3 for kids and $5 for adults. Includes skate rental and admission. Concessions available at additional cost. River Skate accepts cash and major credit cards. Punch cards are also available.
WHEN: Normal hours of operation are Wednesday through Friday from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm. River Skate WILL be open for Thanksgiving from 4-9 pm. For complete hours visit http://www.riverskateqcy.com/events/
PRESENTED BY: Title presenter is Refreshment Services Pepsi. Also presented by Rokusek Design, ABNG CPAs, First Banker’s Trust, Quincy Medical Group, Town and Country Bank, Heetco, Quincy Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Rupp Rental, Mercantile Bank and Blessing Hospital.
Filed under: Adventure, Winter Sports Tagged: Chris Dye, family activities, figure skating, fun activities in Quincy, Hannibal, Hockey, ice skate quincy, ice skating, IL, kids ice skating, Marion Dye, midwest ice skating, nature, nhl, outdoor ice rink, outdoors, Quincy, Quincy Convention and Visitor's, Quincy Riverfront, Refreshment Services Pepsi, River Skate, River Skate admission, River Skate hours, River Skate Quincy, sports, Super Glide, Super Glide synthetic ice, Synthetic Ice, winter
