Synthetic Ice Rinks For All Times of the Year

Synthetic Ice, also known by the more ambiguous name ‘artificial ice’, is most commonly defined as being a solid polymer which is designed for being skated upon with normal skates with traditional metal blades. The first appearance of Synthetic Ice for use as a substitute for ice during Ice Skating came during the 1960s. However, the use of the polyoxymethylene plastic (developed during the 1950s) in Synthetic Ice Rinks had several drawbacks, namely that skaters could not glide on surfaces made of this synthetic plastic without the regular application of a certain silicone compound which, when left on the surface of the synthetic ice, would regularly build up a layer on the surface and collect dirt and grime.

 In the mid-1990s, however, the first full size synthetic skating floor was launched. This Synthetic Skating Rink was made of interlocking panels made of high density polyethylene which, when sprayed with a gliding fluid, has similar gliding properties to a real ice rink.

 When skating on natural ice, the friction caused by the movement of the skate’s blade on the surface of the ice increases the temperature of the microscopic layers on the top of the ice, causing this layer to melt, thereby reducing drag and allowing the skating blade to glide on the surface of the ice. As this melting would not occur on a plastic ice rink (or any ice rink made from an artificial substance) liquid is used to optimise gliding, although some synthetic ice rinks do allow the users to skate on the surface without liquid having to be applied.

 There are other noticeable differences when comparing the use of artificial ice with that of natural ice. For example, more effort is typically required to skate on an artificial ice surface than on a natural one but this can prove to be beneficial for skaters as this side effect can be incorporated in resistance training. However, a notable disadvantage to using synthetic ice rinks (one which is often reported by skaters) is that skates become worn out much faster. If the synthetic ice rink is being used for a wide range of ice-based activities and sports (ranging from normal ice skating, ice hockey and curling) yet another advantage of using synthetic Ice Rinks becomes evident as the temporary markings that are applied for hockey or other sports wear off easily (although permanently embedded markings do not scratch off) meaning that this surface can be used for a variety of purposes.

Dancing on Ice

Ice skating is a very popular activity. Because of this, it is often present in the media, not just on sport centred media but also reality television, documentaries and films. Blades of Glory is one such example of ice skating featured in films, where rivals learn to skate together in a comedic theme. A Documentary on Torvil and Dean was also aired some years ago documenting the duos life with skating, who also help with the TV program Dancing on Ice.

Dancing on ice is a popular television show in which Celebrities which have not previously skated before learn how to figure skate with a professional Ice skater. This concept is used in eight different countries, and in England it is presented by Christine Bleakley and Phillip Schofield, although Holly Willoughby used to co present. The judges for the new series consist of Robin Cousins as the Head Judge, Katarina Witt and Louie Spence. Each have their own specialities and thus judge the couples accordingly, i.e. Choreography, Free Skating and Figure Skating.

There are still rules to the competition, each couple must perform a dance each week, the judges will watch and score them between zero and ten. In earlier series, the judges were more lenient in the beginning of the series. This however was stopped with the judge giving truly indicative scores so that the public could be able to judge accordingly and watch the contestants develop over the series. Each couple must also perform certain moves each week which differ from week to week. For example assisted and unassisted jumps, prop usage, shad steps, cross rolls and change of skate to name but a few.  The most adventurous move to date is the Head Banger in which only one male celebrity has performed in the history of the show in England.

There are over 250 people working on the English version of the show with Physiotherapists and Paramedics on hand in case any of the moves go wrong. There are also costume designers present and since 2006 around 1000 costumes have been made. Around 5500 to 6000 crystals are used on each dress with gold being the most expensive colour. There also must be people present to maintain and paint the ice. A special paint is used which comes from Canada which I painted on when the ice is around 4cm and a spray is used to paint the ice white.

Synthetic Ice Rinks For All Year Fun

Ice Rinks are large bodies of frozen water, or plastics if Synthetic ice rinks, in which it is possible to skate where many sports and activities can be undertaken including Ice Hockey. Rinks made with Ice can form naturally or with a helping hand.

Natural Ice Rinks are formed outside and are only during the season in which it is cold enough for the water to freeze to form a thick enough layer which is strong enough to withhold large weights. It is important when skating on these rinks to remember that it can be very dangerous due to differing thickness of ice in different areas. Never go ice-skating on your own and be careful when skating.

Synthetic Ice Rinks can also be formed outside when the weather is cold enough for water to freeze. It is a very simple procedure in which a space is cleared, water is poured into this space and it freezes due to the cold temperature. If the temperature is cold enough inside, this can also be produced within a building.

It is also very important to be able to have an ice rink that does not depend on cold enough temperatures and this comes in the form of indoor ice skating rinks. These are a little more complex to make than the outside ice rinks and require more time, money and labour. A bed of sand or sometimes concrete is assembled and pipes are run through it or on top of it. Within the pipes is a very cold fluid which is water or salt water mixed with antifreeze or refrigerant depending upon how big the rink is. A thin layer of water is thus put or sprayed onto the sand/concrete, this is coloured to ensure that if markings are needed then there will be better contrast of the colours. Then another thin layer of water is put on top, and again and again until the ice reached 2-3 cm

Wherever the ice is, whether it is Natural or artificially formed, if it is permanent, it will need to be resurfaced with an Ice resurfacer to ensure that the ice has a smooth flat surface. It is also important to remember that different sports preformed on the ice require different rinks and thus the ice will need to be set up differently i.e. different sizes and markings. For example the NHL say that their hockey rinks must be 61m X 26m in length and width whereas Curling, Speed skating and other sports all have different requirements.

Ice Skating is a Leisure and a Sport

Ice Skating is a source of enjoyment for all ages in all areas. It is enjoyed nearly everywhere and can be done for pleasure or for a profession as a sport. Ice skating is possible because the thin blade attached to the shoe can move over the ice with little friction, but to control and adapt movement, it is possible to lean over and dig an edge into the ice, whilst increasing friction, allowing you to slow down and stop.

There are many different ways that a person can enjoy themselves on ice, not just the well-known figure skating. Ice hockey is very competitive and enjoyed in many countries including the US where the National Hockey League is a professional league of the highest standard. Canada has a similar league which is their National Winter Sport. There is also Speed Skating, Tour Skating, Ringette and Kite Ice Skating. Kite and Tour Ice-skating are generally held outside on naturally frozen ice as large areas of ice are required with other elements such as wind a necessity. Ringette is generally played by women and is a team sport played by women in which a rubber ring must be placed into the opposing teams net. This is most common in Canada.

When skating on ice it is important to wear the correct footwear, this will ensure that you are able to move in the safest and quickest manner. When fitting the footwear, make sure that you take note of the shape and width of the heel, depth of instep and forefoot, length of the skate and the width of the forefoot. If you do not have the correct skate, lack of support, cramping, less efficient use of your energy and even soreness can occur. Boot manufactures do build their boots with this in mind but it is important to check yourself also.

There are dangerous attached to ice-skating, especially when not practising the art in a controlled area or acting silly. The most universal danger is that of falling, a skater could fall through the ice if outdoors, catch themselves on their skate or even crack their head if inside. If falling through the ice, it is often very difficult to get out and thus can die as they are unable to get out due to heavy clothes, being unable to find a route out, going into shock or contracting Hypothermia to name but a few.  Therefore when skating outside it is important that the ice will generally be thinner near bridges, near the edges of the body of water or where the sun is shining on, this is due to the temperature being higher. Also, the wind can make weak spots in the ice by making holes which thus freeze over but are still far weaker. Therefore, make sure that you are careful when outside, and never go alone.