Chill out this Summer with Ice-skating: SouthFlorida.com

Cold, smooth, slick ice… just the thought of it can make you feel cooler and refreshed, despite the blazing South Florida heat. Now think of the cool beauty of ice-skating, and the pleasure of being able to enjoy this icy sport year-round.

Ice-skating largely appeals to adolescents and teens, but plenty of adults get in on the action, too. In fact, it's a great pastime for the whole family.

Some rinks offer activities for children as young as 2, plus light shows and dance clubs for kids and teens. Need a night away from the kids? Themed adult-only nights at the skating rink may pique your interest.

Before you go, call the rink to ask about the skating schedule and special events. Many rinks offer ice-skating, figure skating and hockey lessons to children and adults, during which time the rink may be closed to the public. Luckily, most rinks offer daily public skating times.

Dress warm. It is, after all, a place where the floor is made of ice, and the air conditioner works overtime. Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a sweater or jacket, mittens, and, of course, socks are the best dress – not to mention skates. If you don't own your own pair, don't despair: They are available for rent.

Hats and scarves may also be useful, but some kids get warm after skating for a while. That's when it's nice to take off the jacket, the scarf, the mittens. On the other hand, if you forget your warm clothes, you're probably going to feel really cold, unless you skate like Apolo Anton Ohno, American two-time gold medalist for short-track speed skating and the recent winner of Dancing with the Stars.

So, bundle up and take the kids to one of South Florida's cool local ice-skating rinks.