Men and women play together in teams of twelve or eight. In years when the ice is hard enough, a day-long ice skating race takes place on a route that encompasses Friesland's 11 main towns and involves going across some parts of the sea. As many as 80,000 people participate. The Dutch and tourists alike take advantage of sandy beaches on the North Sea, although it is windy and the water is often cold. Discos are popular gathering places for young people.
Most people also enjoy drams, music, and art.
For persons earning less than a specified amount, the government coordinates insurance and health care. Those making over the specified amount are required to have private insurance. The government also provides unemployment and disability benefits. The average life expectancy for the Dutch is 78 years. The infant mortality rate is 6 per 1,000.