Ice Skating Rinks

Ice skating rinks, also known as an ice rink, is an area of frozen water or chemicals, hardened so people can ice skate on the frozen surface. Aside from ice skating, other winter sports and activities can also be held in an ice rink including ice hockey, figure skating and entertaining ice shows.

Ice skating rinks may be made of natural ice or an artificial ice. Many natural ice rinks are found on open lakes and other bodies of water. Australia experiences too warm a climate for natural rinks, so relies on man-made ice skating facilities, usually indoors. Artificial ice rinks, are mechanically frozen so that ice skating rinks may be enjoyed year-round. An area is made with a bed of sand or a concrete slab where chilled fluid pipes run through. Refrigerants may also be used to keep the temperature low thus making the water placed on top of the slab to freeze up to one inch in height. Artificial ice is technically called as ‘mechanically frozen ice’.

Ice skating is a popular activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Specialised footwear called ice skates are essential equipment used in ice skating. Ice skates are lace up boots with blades attached at the bottom that enables the skater to glide across the surface of the ice skating rink. Ice skating is a competitive sport that combines the grace of ballet with speed that can be achieved gliding on the ice. Speed skating is also a popular endurance sport. Many ice skating rinks also offer private and group tuition and host regular ice hockey and other team competitions played on ice.