Under the dreamy azure skies and serene snowy mountains of Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China, a remarkable transformation takes place at Shuixigou Middle School during the winter.
The harmonious sound of skates gliding on the ice punctuated by teachers' enthusiastic voices and the unbridled laughter of children, reverberates across the school's playground-turned-skating track and soccer field-turned-hockey rink.
"Faster! Follow me!" screams a spirited 7-year-old student as he races with his classmates on ice sleds, while teacher Nuerhabuli watches closely to ensure their safety. "First-grade children, aged 6 or 7, are too young for skates. We let them play on the ice until second grade when they must learn to skate properly," Nuerhabuli said.
A young student joyfully plays on an ice sled during PE class on December 20, 2023. (Photo: Zhu Jinyi)
At the opposite end of the playground, another teacher is showing the fundamental techniques of speed skating to the children: "Let's go! Pay attention to your footwork!"
A teacher energetically demonstrates speed skating techniques on December 20, 2023. (Photo: Zhu Jinyi)
On the track's adjacent side, girls and boys whizz and whoosh on the ice excitedly and effortlessly. Bahadier is a talented fifth-grade Kazakh girl who has been skating for three years. She practices roller skating in summer and ice skates in winter. "My speed is getting faster and faster, and it's no longer scary to me," Bahadier shares breathlessly in the interval between training.
Support from families is also valuable in encouraging these young children. Wolijiasi, a fourth-grader, expresses gratitude for the unwavering support of his family. "My parents accompany me to every competition I participate in and always tell me not to be nervous," he says.
Members of the speed skating team of Shuixigou Middle School strike a playful pose for the camera on December 20, 2023. (Photo: Zhu Jinyi)
As the whistle blows, perhaps a little harshly, the ice hockey match starts. Seniors rampage across the rink, body-checking each other and vying for shots on goal while the younger students cheer from the sidelines. Kaosaer, a determined fourth-grader, hopes to participate in additional competitions and become a full-time professional hockey player.
Students enthusiastically engage in a game of ice hockey on December 20, 2023. (Photo: Zou Yun)
This school has been a pioneer of winter sports education for over two decades. From there, students can join a team based on their specialized interests, whether it be ice skating, ice hockey, or figure skating. Over the years, many talented children have excelled in high-level competitions.
Students gracefully skate across the ice at Shuixigou Middle School on December 20, 2023. (Photo: Zou Yun)
The school epitomizes China's winter sports drive. Ongoing government support and publicity are rooting competitive snow and ice activities in the everyday lives of children.
(Zhu Jinyi also contributed to this article)