By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
In the pre-sunset hours of Feb 25, 2022, Andrew Ryzebol was enjoying ice skating on Isthmus Bay. The Ryzebols, Lilly and Andrew had been skating and checking the ice conditions earlier that afternoon. They have been ice diving on Isthmus Bay since the ice came in earlier in February and were fully aware of the conditions on the ice. The absence of wind and an overnight temperature of -21°C contributed to the ice being approximately three inches thick on that evening.
However, Andrew’s skating activity caused much consternation among residents on sighting the skater on Isthmus Bay. Worried residents made calls to the emergency services about the skater. Many residents expressed their concern that much of the ice which had come in three days previously was unstable and unsafe for people to be out on Isthmus Bay. Local social media was abuzz about this unfamiliar sight of a skater on the Bay.
Andrew navigating his way along the Isthmus Bay shoreline, axe to check ice depth in hand. 
The frozen Isthmus Bay shoreline.
Lilly Ryzebol ice skating on Isthmus Bay. 
Andrew Ryzebol ice skating on Isthmus Bay.
Be prepared with appropriate gear and experience
“Going out on the ice is not like going onto an ice rink”, Lilly says. They caution that any “out of the ordinary activity with specific risks such as skating on Isthmus Bay requires careful planning, proper equipment, and learning from people with experience.”
Andrew is a competitive freediver and instructor, a professional ice diver for nearly 10 years, Great Lakes surfer, snowboarder and rock climber.
As such he has developed key skills and the physical and mental endurance for this “extreme” activity of ice skating on the Bay.
Andrew wears a 7mm thick winter diving wetsuit, neoprene gloves, neoprene socks and winter surf boots. The next outer layer is snowboarder crash pants which provides another layer of protection. He wears a rock climbing helmet for head protection; a winter snowboarding jacket and a pair of insulated mitts over his neoprene gloves finish out the ensemble.
The wetsuit is a “must”, he continues, it provides warmth, but also provides buoyancy and cushioning in case he falls into the water.
He is prepared for a self-rescue, especially if he falls through the ice. Andrew carries a dive mask in his coat pocket. In a backpack, there is a snorkel, scuba diving flashlight, extra batteries, energy protein-based snacks, warm beverage/water bottle, sunglasses, extra pair of sunglasses, snowboarding goggles, carabiners and a knife. Andrew also has a dry bag with a 50 m rope and ice screws to attach to the ice if needed to pull himself out of the water.
Safety Protocols in place
As Andrew ventures out on the ice, he uses his axe to check on the depth of the ice. Andrew’s axe has a three and half inch head, by tapping down hard on the ice he can determine the depth. Currently, the ice on the bay is jagged in places requiring Andrew to weave in and out and at times, to crawl over the ice to get to better ice skating conditions.
Lilly always tracks Andrew by using GPS and they are in constant contact by phone.
Andrew constantly checks the depth of ice ahead of him.“With the proper experience one can read the ice” say the Ryzebols. But Andrew still constantly checks wind and temperature and studies maps and weather information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and from various other weather information sites. With countless hours on Georgian Bay ice over the past 8 years, Andrew has gained a lot of experience dealing with various ice conditions.
The Ryzebols also text the local Fire Chief about their plans to be on the ice.
Andrew and Lilly have self rescue plans in place and are fully aware that they cannot expect assistance from emergency personnel. They say they have never come close to needing assistance regarding any of their activities on Georgian Bay.
Disclaimers for Digital Content
All of their online videos post a disclaimer to not try this activity if not professionally trained. They are cognizant that their activities might attract the untrained, unwary, and people without proper equipment. If they see people doing unsafe activity while on the ice, they stop whatever they are doing and caution them.
They are appreciative that the village looks out for each other and say they enjoy living on the Bruce where Georgian Bay is their backyard.
