Ice skating in S.F.: It must be fall

A lot of people paid $17 to fall down in the middle of Union Square on Wednesday, it being the start of ice skating season.

Popovich is a member of the San Francisco Tremors precision ice skating team, which was hired to captivate passersby and help them to conclude that ice skating is a lot easier than it is.

The team jumped, twirled, twisted and, in general, did in their pink costumes what Olympic skaters do on TV in their pink costumes.

Nonskaters and other folks with common sense stood at the rail and watched from a respectful distance as the first round of paying customers strapped on their rental blades and their parkas and waddled out onto the rink like the Michelin man to join in the potential fun.

The grand opening kicked off the annual good-natured war of the San Francisco outdoor rinks.

Whatever you do, advised ice skating fans, avoid reading the big sign by the rink entrance full of legal disclaimers that basically say if you break something, it’s your own darn fault.

Savannah Steinberg, another member of the Tremors, took time off from her official duties to help her kid brother, Chace, take his first spin around the ice.

Among the other skaters was a giant Snoopy, who did not say whether he was having a good time because giant dogs are not allowed to talk.

If the magic table fails to perform its magic and you start wobbling, Popovich offered the time-honored advice of all ice skating teachers.

At the Union Square rink, the $17 does not cover such essentials as a beanie or warm socks or gloves, all available for an extra four bucks each.

The Justin Herman rink will remain open until Jan. 3 and the Union Square rink will stay open until Jan. 18, affording customers 15 additional days to be responsible for their personal safety.