Nine days ago, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson revealed one of his greatest weaknesses at the opening of the Rink of Dreams when he showed up without skates.
"The mayor of the capital doesn't know how to skate," he said. "It's humbling, humiliating and embarrassing."
Inspired by their leader's plight, the city rallied around Watson Friday at that very same rink to teach him one of the most quintessential of Canadian skills.
Watson started off hovering near the boards on what was only his second time on skates (he's on the record as saying he preferred skiing as a child) but soon ventured out into more dangerous territory.
"I thought I was going to be going around the boards clinging on, but the fact I made it to centre ice did surprise me," he said.
Some of his citizens said they were impressed by how quickly he caught on.
"He did pretty good," said Emily Veinot. "I think the first time I skated when I was two, I fell like 11 times."
"Everyone noticed him right away, first of all as the mayor of the city," said Russ Foster. "He's seems to be doing very well."
Watson said his success was propelling him to dream even bigger dreams.
"I've never skated on the (Rideau Canal), it's on my bucket list for later this year to at least try the canal," he said.
"Watch out, I'm going to be on the canal in about three weeks from now so clear out of the way."
Skate on, Your Worship.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
