Kicksled facts for kids
A kicksled is a cool type of sled that looks a bit like a chair on long, flexible metal blades. You stand on one of the runners and push off the ground with your foot, just like a scooter! There's a handlebar at the back of the chair to help you steer and balance. The word "kicksled" comes from the Finnish word "potkukelkka." You might also hear it called a "spark."
How Kicksleds Work
Kicksleds are best used on smooth, slippery surfaces. Think of frozen lakes or hard-packed snow. If you want to ride in deeper, softer snow, you can add wider plastic runners over the regular metal ones. This helps the kicksled glide better.
When the ice is super smooth, some people wear special shoes with spikes. This helps them get a better grip when they kick. On flat ground, you can easily go about 15 to 20 kilometers per hour (about 9 to 12 miles per hour). You can go even faster when going downhill or with the wind helping you!
Kicksleds are very popular in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland. People there often use them on roads where salt isn't used to melt the snow. They are also great for exploring frozen lakes or going ice fishing. Riding a kicksled on a frozen lake is a lot like tour skating.
Kicksled History
The first time a kicksled was mentioned in a newspaper was around 1870 in northern Sweden. These early kicksleds were quite heavy and had stiff wooden runners.
Then, in 1909, a Swedish company called Orsasparken came up with a new design. They made kicksleds with flexible metal runners, which made them much lighter and easier to use. This new design quickly became the standard in Sweden, Finland, and Norway.
Kicksled Racing
Kicksled racing used to be a very popular sport, especially in Sweden, between 1890 and 1910. It was even a big event in the Nordic Games, which were like an early version of the Winter Olympics.
Around 1990, kicksled racing became popular again in Finland. Today, there are races that can be as long as 100 kilometers (about 62 miles)! Racers can reach average speeds of about 30 kilometers per hour (about 18 miles per hour). Every January, Norway's Geilo Ski Resort even hosts an annual Kicksled World Championship!
In Canada, people have even changed the kicksled to use with dogs! They attach a special harness to the kicksled, and one to three dogs pull it along.
Images for kids
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A kicksled being pulled by a dog.
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A kicksled on a frozen lake.
