Skateboarding icon Ryan Decenzo and his team have transformed the frozen surface of Coon Lake in Anoka County, Minnesota, into a one-of-a-kind skatepark. This innovative project, featured in a recent video by Red Bull Skateboarding on YouTube, showcases the use of an “ice carousel” as a dynamic platform for setting up challenging obstacles.
An ice carousel is essentially a large circular slab of ice cut from a frozen lake and set in motion. This concept, originating from Finland, has evolved into a creative winter activity across North America. Decenzo, along with fellow skaters TJ Rogers and Torey Pudwill, collaborated with ice carousel expert Paul Miller to craft custom carousels that served as the foundation for their spinning skatepark.
The project involved building four distinct spinning ice carousels, each featuring different skate terrain. These included a spinning goal post, a spinning quarterpipe, a bank-to-bank setup, and a spinning circle rail. Each obstacle required precise timing and balance, as the skaters had to adapt to the unpredictable dynamics of the spinning ice.
Torey Pudwill noted that the spinning quarterpipe was particularly challenging, as it disrupted his equilibrium and made it difficult to perform tricks while the carousel was in motion. Decenzo also faced challenges with the circular rail, where the cold temperatures made it hard to apply wax, forcing him and Pudwill to perform tricks without it.
This project highlights the innovative spirit of skateboarding, pushing boundaries by combining traditional winter activities with extreme sports. The result is a thrilling display of skill and creativity on an unstable, frozen surface, proving that skateboarding has no off-season.